Community
Show 50 years old and still going strong
BY JAMES RADA JR.
Thurmont News Editor
THURMONT,
Md. – Though Thurmont and Emmitsburg have grown over the
last 50 years, their roots remain rural. Nothing demonstrates
that better than the continued popularity of the community show,
which celebrated 50 years on Sept. 8-9.
At the
first Thurmont Community Show in 1957, 394 exhibits competed
for $155 in premiums.
“At
our first show, we probably had less than 100 people attend.
...In 1969, we moved to Catoctin High and the show really
grew,” said Rodman Myers, president of the show committee.
For the
2006 Thurmont and Emmitsburg Community Show, over 3,000 exhibits
competed for $9,000 in premiums.
The highlight
of the opening evening events was the introduction of the
past chapter sweethearts and ambassadors. They came from as
far away as North Carolina to be a part of the show.
Becky
Myers Linton, the 1957 chapter sweetheart, said, “I
think all of us here tonight we’re still ambassadors
and we still like to promote agriculture.”
Candace
Lenhart was elected as the 2006 ambassador.
Another
annual event was the showing and sale of livestock in the
barn area at the side of Catoctin High.
Morgan
Cole, 13, of Thurmont, had her pigs at the show. While farming
runs in her family, Morgan said she like raising animals because
“it’s fun showing them and being with my friends.”
Candace
Butler, 13, of Thurmont, has been raising animals for four
years. She had her pigs at the community show.
“My
mother and sister did this and it seemed fun so I decided
to do it,” Candace said.
At the
other end of the school in the main gymnasium, other exhibits
were displayed along with the ribbons they won, including
vegetables, flowers, baked goods, photos, preserves and crafts.
Between
the two exhibit areas, local businesses displayed their services.
The Thurmont Public Library held its popular book sale, which
was crowded with people looking for deals on books.
“This
is the first year that it’s been run the by Friends
(of Thurmont Regional Library) and it seems to be one of the
biggest years for donations,” said Thurmont Librarian
Erin Dingle.
Priscilla
Rall, a local artist, manned a booth for the Frederick County
Veterans History Project. The project is seeking the stories
of county veterans to record and preserve their stories.
“This
is great,” Rall said. “If you’re not here
on Friday night, you aren’t anywhere. The whole town
comes out to see what’s here and get good food.”
