The 61st annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show will be held at Catoctin High School, located at 14745 Sabillasville Road in Thurmont, on September 8-10, 2017.
Entry of exhibits will take place on Thursday evening, September 7, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and on Friday, September 8, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., in the new gymnasium and in the agriculture department area.
Judging will begin at 12:30 p.m. Commercial exhibits may be entered on Friday, September 8, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The show will open to the public at 6:00 p.m.
On Friday night, the 2017-2018 Catoctin FFA Chapter Ambassador will be announced. In addition, this year’s program will honor the 50th anniversary of St. John’s Christian Preschool and the 50th anniversary of WTHU Radio. The baked goods auction will begin immediately following the program (approximately 8:00 p.m.); the grand champion cake, pie, and bread will be sold at 9:00 p.m.
On Saturday, September 9, the show opens at 9:00 a.m. Activities include a Market Goat, Beef, Sheep and Swine Fitting & Showing contest, from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the Ag Center at the school.
The Pet Show will be held at 10:30 a.m., outside the front of the school. Categories include: cat with prettiest eyes; cat with longest whiskers; cutest cat; best-trained pet; dog with wiggliest tail; prettiest dog (25 pounds and under); prettiest dog (26 pounds and over); best costumed pet; pet with most spots; largest pet (by height); most unusual pet; smallest pet. A petting zoo, farm animals display, face painting, and pony rides will be held from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m., there will be a martial arts program in the old gymnasium.
The Thurmont Grange will serve its Roasted Turkey and Country Ham Buffet dinner in the school cafeteria on Saturday night, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Entertainment will be performed in the auditorium by the Catoctin Mountain Boys, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.; from 7:00-9:00 p.m. will be the Taylor Brown “Elvis Show.” There will be no admission charged for the entertainment.
The 43rd annual Catoctin FFA Alumni Beef, Sheep & Swine sale will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Ag Center area on Saturday night. There will be approximately 8 goats, 9 steers, 22 hogs, and 10 lambs for sale by 4-H and FFA members. Buyers are welcome to come to support these individuals and their livestock projects
Activities begin on Sunday, September 10, at 9:00 a.m., with the Goat Show, followed by the Dairy Show and Decorated Animal Contest. The decorated animal contest will begin at noon.
The petting zoo, farm animals display, face painting, and pony rides will be held 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
At 12:00 p.m., the Catoctin FFA Alumni Chicken Bar-B-Que will be held in the cafeteria. At 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., there will be a martial arts program in the old gymnasium.
The 38th annual Robert Kaas Horseshoe Pitching Contest will begin at 1:00 p.m, and the Log Sawing Contest will be held at 1:00 p.m., under the tent in the ag shop area. Another new and fun feature is a Peddle Tractor Contest for kids, which will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Ag Center area. Prizes will be awarded.
The Catoctin Mountain Boys Band will perform in the auditorium from 12:30-1:30 p.m., and the Taylor Brown “Elvis Show” will be performed from 1:30-3:00 p.m. There will be no admission charge for the entertainment.
Exhibits must be removed on Sunday, September 10, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Please note the new deadline to pick up items.
The Community Show booklets can be found in local Thurmont, Emmitsburg, and surrounding area businesses in late July or early August. New residents of the community are urged to enter and be a part of the Community Show, the largest in the State of Maryland.
There are changes to the photography department in the junior, youth, and adult categories this year, and other minor additions and deletions will be made in some of the departments. Departments include: Fresh Fruits, Fresh Vegetables, Home Products Display, Canned Fruits, Canned Vegetables, Jellies & Preserves, Pickles, Meats, Baked Products, Sewing & Needlework, Flowers and Plants, Arts, Paintings & Drawings, Crafts, Photography, Corn, Small Grains and Seeds, Eggs, Nuts, Poultry & Livestock, Dairy, Goats, Hay, Junior Department and Youth Department. There is no entry fee.
Please visit the website for updated information at www.thurmontemmitsburg communityshow.webs.com or pick up a booklet when available in late July, early August. Entry tags will also be available for exhibitors to complete and bring with their entries at the Thurmont Library, Eyler’s Flea Market, Thurmont Feed Store, and the Thurmont Economic Development Office, located in Thurmont and at E Plus Copy Center & Promotions and Zurgable Hardware in Emmitsburg.
The Community Show is sponsored by the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin FFA Alumni, the Maryland State Grange, and the Maryland State Agricultural Fair Board.
