The 67th annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show will be held at Catoctin High School, 14745 Sabillasville Road in Thurmont, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 8, 9, and 10, 2023. All events throughout the entire weekend are free.
There’s great news for Community Show bakers of all ages! Most baked products classes have an increase in their prize money, and classes have been added for both the Youth Department (ages 18 and under) and the Junior Department (ages 10 and under).
Entry of exhibits will take place in the gymnasium and agriculture department area on Thursday evening, September 7 and on Friday morning, September 8. Commercial exhibits and community organization displays will be set up throughout the facility all weekend.
This year’s Friday night (September 8) Opening Ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium, with the 45th Annual Community Organizations Flag Ceremony, followed by the 2023-2024 Catoctin FFA Chapter Ambassador announcement. The annual Baked Goods auction will begin immediately following the program at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion cakes, pies, and breads will be sold at 8:00 p.m.
On Saturday, September 9, the Community Show is open to the public from 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. In the Agriculture Center area, the Market Goat, Beef, Sheep, and Swine Show and Fitting & Showing Contest will start at 9:00 a.m.
The Pet Show’s free registration takes place in front of the school, with the competition starting at 10:30 a.m., for 12 Pet Show Classes.
On Saturday, September 9, the Thurmont Academy of Self Defense will provide martial arts demonstrations in the auxiliary gym, and the Linda Elower Studio of Dance and The Gospel Ridge Bluegrass Gospel Band will perform in the auditorium.
Mountain Gate Family Restaurant will cater and serve a Roast Turkey and Baked Ham Buffet on Saturday, September 9, from 3:00-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, to benefit the Thurmont Grange.
The 49th Annual Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters Market Goat, Beef, Sheep & Swine Sale will be held on Saturday night, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Agriculture Center area. All buyers are welcome to attend and purchase animals, which are exhibited by 4-H and FFA members.
On Sunday, September 10, the Community Show is open to the public, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Activities begin in the Agriculture Center with the Dairy Goat Show, followed by the Dairy Cattle Show. The Decorated Animal Contest begins at 11:00 a.m.
Mountain Gate Family Restaurant will be catering and serving a Fried Chicken & Pulled Pork BBQ Buffet on Sunday, September 10, in the cafeteria, to benefit the Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters.
Sunday afternoon activities in the Agriculture Center include the 38th Annual Log Sawing Contest, a Pedal Tractor Contest, and the 42nd Annual Robert Kaas Horseshoe Pitching Contest near the softball field.
On both Saturday and Sunday, the Petting Zoo will be in the Agricultural area, while a sow with its piglets will be on display all weekend. There will also be face painting and pony rides.
Additional activities throughout the weekend include food trucks and food stands, the annual book sale, a Quilt & Afghan Show, and Thurmont area historical photos.
By early August, the Community Show booklets will be available in local businesses. All citizens of our Catoctin community are encouraged to enter exhibits for free to see what prize they may win and be a part of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, the largest Community Show in the State of Maryland!
Departments include Fresh Fruits, Fresh Vegetables, Home Products Display, Canned Fruits, Canned Vegetables, Jellies & Preserves, Pickles, Meats, Baked Products, Fabric & Fiber Arts, Flowers and Plants, Arts, Fine Arts, Arts and Crafts, Photography, Corn, Small Grains and Seeds, Eggs, Nuts, Poultry & Livestock, Dairy, Goats, Hay, Junior Department (Ages 10 and under), and Youth Department (Ages 11-18).
Exhibits must be removed on Sunday, September 10, from 3:00-5:30 p.m. Prize money will be mailed to the winners by November 15, 2023.
The Community Show is sponsored by the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters, the Maryland State Grange, and the Maryland State Agricultural Fair Board. The Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show has been bringing our communities together since 1957!
Visit the website for detailed information: www.thurmontemmitsburgcommunityshow.webs.com. View the advertisement on page 22.
