History Of The Garrett County Fair:

2008 marks the 52nd consecutive year that the Garrett County Agriculture Fair has provided citizens of Garrett County an opportunity to showcase exhibits, and visitors to the Fair and Garrett County an opportunity experience a relaxed, entertaining and family oriented time together.

The very first Garrett County Fair was held in the Naylor Building in Oakland in 1917. The Fair remained in Oakland through 1931. In the mid 1950 citizens gathered to reorganize the fair. In 1957 the Fair was held on the Charles Bowman property in McHenry, and has remained there for 49 consecutive years. In 1983, the Fair Board of Directors executed the purchase of the land from Mr. Bowman, and in 2004 added an additional 14 acres to the property.A volunteer Board of Directors comprised of county residents from diverse backgrounds governs the Fair.

Each year the fair draws over 30,000 visitors and displays the work of nearly 1000 exhibitors.