Readers share their memories of the county fair

The fair holds a place in the hearts of many county residents. The Gazette invited readers to share their favorite fair moments. Readers responded with funny, heartfelt and sweet stories of family tradition, embarrassing moments and prize-winning pride. An abridged version of some of these letters follows. Visit www.gazette.net/montgomeryfair to read the stories in their entirety.

There's still time to share your memories. E-mail memories@gazette.net or write to The Gaithersburg Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Items will be considered for print and online publication.

A royal entrance

Brookeville resident Kristen Head, who was Kristen Smith, of†Laytonsville as a young lady, shares her memories of her first moments as fair queen.

In 1990, I was senior in high school. On a whim, I decided to try out for Montgomery County Fair Queen.

Well there I was up on stage, one of the two remaining contestants. One of us would be crowned queen. It was me!

The crown was placed on my head and all of the members of my 4-H Dairy Goat Club stormed out of the bleachers to hug and congratulate me! I was so excited!

As soon as the crowning was over I was expected to ride in one of the vintage convertibles over to the 4-H cake auction. As I climbed into the convertible and hopped up on the back, I fell right into the storage compartment for the hood. It was not one of my most graceful moments as the Montgomery County Fair Queen!

One crafty mom

Ralph Buglass of Rockville remembers all the ribbons his mother won.

As a kid in the 1950s and ë60s, I eagerly awaited the Montgomery County Fair every summer, but not so much for the rides, as most kids did.

Each year, my two older sisters, younger brother and I would head first to the "big buildings" to see which ribbons my mother had won this time around. In fact, I can't remember a ribbonless year! Whether for her unbeatable pies and cakes, or her delicious canned goods, my mother's good work was always recognized.

Mom also had a talent for crafts. She proudly entered her crocheted afghans and hooked rugs. Marion Buglass' 1960 entry graces my family room today complete with her first-place ribbon.

Passing down traditions

Dara Gordon Murray's family has been volunteering at the fair for nearly 40 years.

The Gordon Family (and Gaithersburg residents since the early 70's) has volunteered in many aspects at the fair for almost 40 years. As a child, I remember my parents taking me to see the animals, admiring the baked goods and craft work and being entertained by the pig races. My mother has won many ribbons for her baked goods (most recently in ethnic cooking).

Last year, my daughter Allie won best in show - Yellow Ribbon for her pottery in honor of a breast cancer survivor. However, the best memory is from last year, was the bonding between my 83-year-old dad and my daughter Allie working together for the Lion's Club in the blistering heat in the Dairy Barn. My father has volunteered for many years - scooping out ice cream for the Lion's Club - no matter how hot it is outside he has carried the experience and fulfillment he gets from volunteering from generation to generation.

Always an adventure

Liz Brigham of Silver Spring recalls years of prize-winning entries.

The Montgomery County fair as always been a family adventure. My mom (Louise Kidwell) won many ribbons for her baking, sewing, and arts and crafts. She even won a Purple Rosette for her decorated eggs (they were covered with jewels and some had music boxes inside of them and some had doors that opened and shut - all made from a real egg).

I also won many ribbons with my counted cross stitch towels and pictures. I am 65 now and have enjoyed the many years of going to the fair.

We would always go around lunch time and have lunch at one of the church booths, then off to see the animals and while my dad and I enjoyed the animals my mom would sit at the Bingo stand and she always won something.

Then it was off to the Home Arts Building and the Arts and Crafts Building and end up with dinner at the big dining room.

[One] year we picked the best pears off the tree out back and entered them and won first [prize]. It was a great surprise to know that you don't have to be a regular farmer to win at the fair.

My own grandson who will be 10 this year will go with me to the fair - another family adventure to the fair.

Growing family, growing fun

Melissa McDonald of Germantown decks out her family in matching shirts as they take on the county fair with flair.

In August 1995, when our eldest child, Alexander, was only 16 months old we made our first trip to MoCo Ag Fair. That first summer, he discovered the corn "sand" box in Community Square.

As our family grew and his three siblings came along, we made our annual trek to the corn box so that the kids could play in it. They would have played for hours in it-if I had let them!!

As you can see from our pictures, our family trademark is wearing matching shirts so that we can easily find each other in the crowds of people that attend the fair. This has been a sanity saver for me!! And certainly a conversation starter, too. Many a friendly stranger has commented on our matching tie-dye shirts.

Alexander, Hunter, Gabriella and I all enter several pieces of artwork and photography each year. Shannon, now 6, will be joining us in this venture this year.

Being a family of Boy and Girl Scouts, volunteering and giving back to the community has always been important to us. We not only help at the Boy Scout rope bridge, but three summers ago I started volunteering in the photography and arts & crafts barn as well.

My kids love the Ferris wheel, and a ride on it at dusk has become an annual tradition for us. Ö We love to watch the sun set and the lights come up through the midwayÖ.what a truly beautiful sight it is!

As my kids have gotten older, they want to spend more time at the midway side of the fair, but I still insist that we start our day at the agricultural side, as this is where most of our fondest and favorite fair memories have begun.

Visit www.gazette.net/

montgomeryfair for more fair memories, photographs and coverage of the 60th annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair.