HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Eight days of fun at the 45th annual Washington County Ag Expo wound up on Saturday, July 25. Since 1981, the Washington County Agricultural Education Center has hosted the event.
Each day was brimming with activities and things to see. Day one of the fair had free admission as the event kicked off, though other days required $7 at the door. The track required a separate payment for admission to see drag races, tractor pulls and truck shows.
Many of the days were themed, offering free admission or activities for certain people. Day three provided free admission for those with military ID, and on day four seniors aged 65 and older, as well as members of the Farm Bureau were admitted free.
Several vendors and food trucks also appeared throughout the entryway to the event including, Sips, Keep it Smokin’ BBQ and Twin Kiss Drive-In.
Each day of the fair brought something new to experience. On the first day of the expo, animals were weighed in, drag racing and truck shows began, and other activities set up for the week. At 6 p.m., the Expo named the 2026 Ag Expo Queen – Alyssa Dorsey of Palmyra Farm in Hagerstown.
On Sunday, the second day of the expo, rabbit and goat shows made up a majority of the 4-H events for the day. Taste of Washington County was on the track from 1-5 p.m. with local food trucks, restaurants and breweries offering food and beverage options. Other sections of the event hosted a kids activity tent, pony rides and fishing. Family night at 6 p.m. closed out the day with games and fun for the entire family.
Military day on Monday the 20th featured a cattle show with lactating classes early on in the day. These demonstrations taught onlookers of all ages about lactation in cattle and how milking works. During the evening, babies, toddlers and children dressed up to parade around the AC&T arena. At the same time, others gathered for karaoke in the band tent or the youth tractor pull on the track.
Most of the day on Tuesday the 21st consisted of beef shows, with a swine show in the morning. Other events persisted throughout the day, offering kids activities, fishing, archery, axe throwing and an escape room every day of the event. A tractor pull was set for Tuesday night but was cancelled due to thunderstorms.
On Wednesday, kids day, families packed the AC&T arena from 2-5 for the Ag Expo Kids Festival. This event featured children’s activities of all kinds, including local businesses and organizations offering freebies and crafts. 4Star Athletic Complex of Williamsport was present, offering free gymnastics classes and giveaways. Children in Need Inc. was also at the event making bracelets with kids.
The main events of Thursday included a dairy goat show, and a horse and pony skill show. Building 8 of the Agricultural Center also hosted the With Heart and Hands Antietam Fiber Demonstration. The final event came sooner than other days with the market sale beginning at 5:30.
On day 7 of the Ag Expo, the day began with a horse show at 9, and the usual activities to follow. The Western Maryland Demolition Derby began at 7pm and drew a large crowd as one of the most popular events of the fair. During the derby, other fair-goers put their cowboy boots on for line dancing in the band tent at 8 p.m.
On the final day of the Ag Expo, various breeds of dogs and cats were shown by their young owners and up for awards. At 5 p.m., 4-H and Future Farmers of America exhibitors were presented awards in varying categories. The usual activities were available for attendees, with another demolition derby on the final night at 7 p.m.
This expo is made possible through several sponsors ranging from large businesses to local farms. AC&T and Jiffy Lube were among platinum sponsors donating $5,000 or more to the event. Other sponsors include Pinecreek Structures, Tractor Supply, Wilson’s Old Country Store, Deliteful Dairy, Ivy Hill Farm and Wild Thistle Farms, among many others.
To keep up with events in Washington County, readers should visit, visithagerstown.org/events.
