By Greg Glassner
CP Senior Correspondent
Caroline County is mostly rural, with only one very small town and widely scattered subdivisions. For this reason, traditions such as youngsters engaged in door-to-door Trick or Treating are problematic and usually requiring a chauffer.
Many members of the Caroline County Agricultural Fair grew up in Caroline and are very aware of the problem, which is why they hold a Fall FUN Festival on Halloween weekend.
“In a rural area and you can’t go door to door on Halloween. I remember that as a child,” said Lynda Tate, the Agricultural Fair Publicity Chairman.
Although there are more neighborhoods in Caroline now than 30 or 40 years ago, today’s parents have other concerns about children walking about after dark.
Children and adults attended the event. There were 16 tailgater displays and 755 trick or treaters went through the line in 50 minutes. “It’s a free event we as a fair do as thanks to our volunteers and the community,” said Event Chairman Debbie Wright.
“It’s fun, safe and educational. The “Mad Science” Fire and Ice Show is tied into the schools’ SOLs (Standards of Learning),” Wright added.
Also educational (and fun) was the petting zoo, organized by Wick and Sissy Coleman, which gave the suburban dwellers an introduction to farm life. It included a wooden cow that gave youngsters a hands on opportunity to see where milk comes from by milking one. It was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Ann H. Tate, who donated the land for the fairgrounds.
There was plenty of audience participation. Mandy the Clown intentionally dropped clubs she was juggling and asked tots to help her out by handing them to her. Magician Mike Klee dared the brave to come up and hold the “ferocious” rabbit and handed out magician wands to lucky boys and girls.
The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office was on hand to deputize young and old with silver stars and Gerald Castleberry. The cowboy preacher, was dressed as an Indian Chief and invited small groups into his teepee to learn about love in Native American villages. The Spotswood at Ladysmith Church ran the Kiddieland, which included a small bounce house, games and benches for weary parents.
Fonbill Hayes organized many games that were played and Steve Rollins and ten volunteers cooked the vats of Brunswick stew, which was available to eat at the Festival or take home. Other volunteers included Sharon Hall, Geoffrey Horan, Nancy Garner and Mack Wright. Support came from the Fire Department, Rescue Squad and Board of Supervisors.
For the second year in a row, attendees were asked to consider bringing canned food to benefit the Food Pantry of Caroline. This year 104 food items were collected.
All of this activity led up to the main events, a Costume Judging contest for all age groups sponsored by Tingler Insurance and the elaborate and imaginative Tailgate Display Competition with cash prizes sponsored by Countryside Children’s Daycare Center and organized by Agricultural Fair President Francine Whittaker and Clint Harris.
And yes, there was an abundance of candy available for trick-or-treaters and kids of all ages had an entertaining and safe afternoon and evening.
Costume Contest Winners (by age group)
Funniest:
Alyssa Attkisson, 4, Woodford
Zachery Sorrow, 11, Bowling Green
Ethan Foreman, 15, Port Royal
Cameron & Jacquelyn Stamps, Milford
Scariest
Max Bishop, 4, Ruther Glen
Robert McLeod, 8, Ladysmith
Taylon Jordan, 13, Ladysmith
Amy VanDevender, Woodford
Most Original
Dean Alexander, 3, Milford
Isaiah King, 8, Ladysmith
Victoria VanDevender, 13, Woodford
Erica Campbell, Port Royal
Best Homemade
Turner Holland, 5, Milford
Ellie Middlebrook, 9, Ladysmith
Allicia Campbell, 15, Doswell
Karen DeWitt, Ruther Glen
Tailgate Display Contest
Expanded to six prizes this year – from three in past years, the Tailgate Display Contest challenges the creativity of area businesses, non-profits, and individuals. The top six displays receive a trophy and cash prizes.
The 2017 winners are:
1st – Migs Electric, Carmel Church, “Wizard of Oz/Emerald City” (this is their second year in a row of taking first prize)
2nd – MacDoc Realty, “Three Property Girls”
3rd – Carmel Baptist Church, Ruther Glen, “Fishers of Men”
4th – Tingler Insurance, Ladysmith, “Spooky Hollow”
5th – TempAssure, LLC, Ruther Glen, Graveyard
6th – Ladysmith Heating & Air, Ladysmith, Zombies
Guessing Games
In the Games & Activities area, three guessing games were added this year – each of the winners receiving two passes to the 2018 Caroline County Agricultural Fair! Prizes sponsored by the Caroline County Agricultural Fair Association.
Guess How Many…
Eyeballs! – Cindy Rioja, Ruther Glen, – only 1 off from the exact total.
Pumpkins! – Cindy Rioja, Ruther Glen, (again!) – only 3 off from the exact total!.
Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin – Lisa Reid, Ruther Glen – Her guess was within .2 pounds.
Fall Fun Festival was started in 2009 and continues to grow each year in attractions and participation. This
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