The Civil War Civilians of Spottsylvania will be at the Caroline Agricultural Fair’s new heritage center Saturday. (CP photo by Greg Glassner)
Fairs bring people together and create lasting memories. The approaching excitement of the Caroline County Agricultural Fair is the result of an immense amount of hard work and dedication from an impressive group of highly talented volunteers. The fruits of their labor will be enjoyed this week July 8-11 on County Fair Lane in Ruther Glen.
“We are providing an event for families that helps show them our agricultural roots and to keep [our roots] alive,” stated Fair Association President Francine Whittaker. “If we don’t do the fair, when will people have an opportunity to see livestock, or chickens hatching?”
Enthusiastic volunteers donating hundreds of hours of their personal time coupled with their unwavering commitment are responsible for keeping alive this fair that originated nearly 100 years ago.
Why a fair? In an age of rapidly changing electronics and social media for entertainment, and the ability to purchase nearly any type of food regardless of if it is in season, why is there a desire to keep agricultural fairs, like Caroline’s, growing and vital to the community?
Fairs make a community’s culture more real and accessible. A native of Caroline, Whittaker grew up on a farm and remembers attending one-day county fairs as a child. These fond memories fuel Whittaker’s desire to continue the fair in an effort to educate people from Caroline and from surrounding counties about agricultural aspects, and also provide entertainment, information, and support to the community.
“Our main thing new this year is focusing on senior citizens and helping out the schools,” stated Whittaker.
New this year for senior citizens, 65 and older, is a buy- one-get-one free admission on Thursday night. In addition, the 55 Plus Fun Club, a division of Caroline County Parks and Rec. will be at the fair dispensing valuable information to the community on critical topics such as diabetes management and securing transportation to doctor’s appointments for those members of the community who no longer drive.
“We are trying to work with people and find a way to close the communication gap so all the residents of Caroline County will be aware of everything going on in the county,” stated retired teacher and fair volunteer Luella McField.
McField, a six-year fair volunteer, grew up in Georgia, where fairs were a big part of her community. When she moved to Caroline County in 2002, she looked for a local fair she could embrace. McField, who works primarily with Home Goods, spends hours helping with tasks such as recording entries, dispensing information and securing sponsors.
“We do whatever it takes to have a very successful fair,” stated McField. “The volunteers are doing a fantastic job in the county.”
Caroline County Schools will benefit from Wednesday’s new notebook paper promotion. Attendees who bring six packs of notebook paper can receive one free admission.
Also new this year, is all six Caroline County 4-H clubs will be represented at the fair in the L.J. Moyer Home Goods/Shirley Flagg Green Multipurpose Building. Clubs will have information and products related to pertinent topics such as sewing, gardening, and technology.
A new building on the fairgrounds is the Heritage Center, which will serve as a museum aimed at preserving the heritage elements of the area such as timbering and agriculture. Although in its infancy, attendees can take a look at the beginning stages of a valuable area dedicated to Caroline’s history.
Wrapping up the Civil War sesquicentennial will be demonstrations on Saturday by the Civil War Civilians of Spottsylvania, showing attendees what non-military life was like during 1857-67.
“I love the fair,” stated McField. “For the price, you just can’t beat it!”