Currently viewing the tag: "61st Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show"

Thank You

The sponsoring organizations, consisting of the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA, and Catoctin FFA Alumni, would like to thank those individuals who helped with the 61st Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show. We sincerely thank the community businesses and individuals for advertising and sponsoring our show booklet, as we had excellent attendance and great community support during the entire event.

During the opening ceremonies, approximately thirty-five community organizations participated in the opening flag ceremony on Friday evening, led in a bagpipe processional by Bill and Andrew Douwes. Addison Eyler, Rocky Ridge 4H Club and Thurmont Grange member, sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” during the program. Along with many county and local officials, we were honored to have Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools Dr. Theresa Alban give remarks. Stacey Brown Hobbs, president of St. John’s Christian Preschool of Thurmont, announced the 2017-2018 Catoctin FFA Ambassador, Stephanie Moreland. We honored the 50th anniversaries of WTHU Radio Station of Thurmont and the St. John’s Christian Preschool of Thurmont.  Special thanks extended to the many exhibitors who entered items at the show, and to the over 150 new exhibitors this year, which is a reflection of how our show has grown over the years.

We had approximately 280 baked products entered and sold at our baked products sale. The grand champion cake (a chiffon cake), made by Dawn Hobbs of Rocky Ridge, was purchased by Mountaingate Restaurant for $1,050. Monies received from the silver offering, and the Junior and Youth Department Champion Cakes, totaling $1,100, was donated equally to the Thurmont Food Bank and the Emmitsburg Food Bank.

Bob Valentine, livestock chairman of the Community Show, was pleased with the results of John Nichols of Pennsylvania, who judged the Beef, Sheep, Swine & Goat Show. The livestock sale on Saturday evening was well attended and the sale averages were: beef ($2.32 lb.); sheep ($3.50 lb.); swine ($2.54 lb.); and goats ($262.00/head).

The dairy and goat show was also held on Sunday and was judged by Katie Albaugh of Walkersville. Our show is viewed as a learning experience for many 4-H and FFA youth, who later exhibit at the Frederick Fair, Maryland State Fair, and other shows and sales.

Many individuals helped with the pony rides, petting zoo, alpaca display (by Lynn Cherish of Baggy Britches Farm), litter of pigs (by Chip and Logan Long), horseshoe pitching, log sawing, and martial arts programs; the Thurmont Grange Turkey & Ham Dinner; the Catoctin FFA Alumni Bar-B-Que; and the Beef, Sheep and Swine Show and sale.

We would also like to thank all of the department superintendents and the many volunteers who helped to take entries, hauled tables, and helped in any way to make our show excellent, and also to the many commercial exhibitors, including the Thurmont History display by John Kinnaird and the Thurmont Library for sponsoring its annual book sale, as well as to the many other commercial and animal displays that make our event community oriented.

We would also like to thank the Taylor Brown – Elvis Tribute Artist and “Catoctin the Band” for their performances to a large crowds on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Many families who attended the show were able to enjoy participation in the pony rides, the kiddie pedal pull, the cross cut sawing, the pet show, the decorated animal contest, and the horseshoe pitching contest.

Special thanks to Bollinger’s Restaurant for sponsoring a free meal ticket to all department champions and our food stand vendors; the Catoctin High School Junior Class and Thurmont Lions Club were busy all weekend with sales. We would also like to thank all of the individuals, businesses, and families for sponsoring show awards, for purchasing baked goods at our cake sale, and for supporting our livestock show and sale.

In addition, we would also like to thank CHS Principal Bernie Quesada and the entire faculty, cafeteria, and custodial staff for their professionalism, cooperation, and understanding during the show.

The Community Show is an agricultural educational event and is a total community effort.  Many community citizens volunteer many hours to make the show one that our area can be very proud of, and visitors comment on the large amount and quality of entries. These efforts are appreciated by the show sponsors: Thurmont Grange; Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin FFA Alumni, The Maryland State Grange, and the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board.

The 2018 Community Show dates are September 7-9, 2018, at Catoctin High School in Thurmont.

President C. Rodman Myers, Vice President Robert N. Valentine, Secretary Jennifer Martin, Catoctin FFA

    Chapter Advisor Amy Poffenberger

The 61st annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show will be held at Catoctin High School, located at 14745 Sabillasville Road in Thurmont, on September 8-10, 2017.

Entry of exhibits will take place on Thursday evening, September 7, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and on Friday, September 8, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., in the new gymnasium and in the agriculture department area.

Judging will begin at 12:30 p.m.  Commercial exhibits may be entered on Friday, September 8, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The show will open to the public at 6:00 p.m.

On Friday night, the 2017-2018 Catoctin FFA Chapter Ambassador will be announced. In addition, this year’s program will honor the 50th anniversary of St. John’s Christian Preschool and the 50th anniversary of WTHU Radio. The baked goods auction will begin immediately following the program (approximately 8:00 p.m.); the grand champion cake, pie, and bread will be sold at 9:00 p.m.

On Saturday, September 9, the show opens at 9:00 a.m. Activities include a Market Goat, Beef, Sheep and Swine Fitting & Showing contest, from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the Ag Center at the school.

The Pet Show will be held at 10:30 a.m., outside the front of the school. Categories include: cat with prettiest eyes; cat with longest whiskers; cutest cat; best-trained pet; dog with wiggliest tail; prettiest dog (25 pounds and under); prettiest dog (26 pounds and over); best costumed pet; pet with most spots; largest pet (by height); most unusual pet; smallest pet. A petting zoo, farm animals display, face painting, and pony rides will be held from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m., there will be a martial arts program in the old gymnasium.

The Thurmont Grange will serve its Roasted Turkey and Country Ham Buffet dinner in the school cafeteria on Saturday night, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Entertainment will be performed in the auditorium by the Catoctin Mountain Boys, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.; from 7:00-9:00 p.m. will be the Taylor Brown “Elvis Show.” There will be no admission charged for the entertainment.

The 43rd annual Catoctin FFA Alumni Beef, Sheep & Swine sale will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Ag Center area on Saturday night.  There will be approximately 8 goats, 9 steers, 22 hogs, and 10 lambs for sale by 4-H and FFA members.  Buyers are welcome to come to support these individuals and their livestock projects

Activities begin on Sunday, September 10, at 9:00 a.m., with the Goat Show, followed by the Dairy Show and Decorated Animal Contest. The decorated animal contest will begin at noon.

The petting zoo, farm animals display, face painting, and pony rides will be held 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

At 12:00 p.m., the Catoctin FFA Alumni Chicken Bar-B-Que will be held in the cafeteria. At 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., there will be a martial arts program in the old gymnasium.

The 38th annual Robert Kaas Horseshoe Pitching Contest will begin at 1:00 p.m, and the Log Sawing Contest will be held at 1:00 p.m., under the tent in the ag shop area. Another new and fun feature is a Peddle Tractor Contest for kids, which will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Ag Center area. Prizes will be awarded.

The Catoctin Mountain Boys Band will perform in the auditorium from 12:30-1:30 p.m., and the Taylor Brown “Elvis Show” will be performed from 1:30-3:00 p.m. There will be no admission charge for the entertainment.

Exhibits must be removed on Sunday, September 10, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Please note the new deadline to pick up items.

The Community Show booklets can be found in local Thurmont, Emmitsburg, and surrounding area businesses in late July or early August. New residents of the community are urged to enter and be a part of the Community Show, the largest in the State of Maryland.

There are changes to the photography department in the junior, youth, and adult categories this year, and other minor additions and deletions will be made in some of the departments.  Departments include: Fresh Fruits, Fresh Vegetables, Home Products Display, Canned Fruits, Canned Vegetables, Jellies & Preserves, Pickles, Meats, Baked Products, Sewing & Needlework, Flowers and Plants, Arts, Paintings & Drawings, Crafts, Photography, Corn, Small Grains and Seeds, Eggs, Nuts, Poultry & Livestock, Dairy, Goats, Hay, Junior Department and Youth Department. There is no entry fee.

Please visit the website for updated information at  www.thurmontemmitsburg communityshow.webs.com or pick up a booklet when available in late July, early August. Entry tags will also be available for exhibitors to complete and bring with their entries at the Thurmont Library, Eyler’s Flea Market, Thurmont Feed Store, and the Thurmont Economic Development Office, located in Thurmont and at E Plus Copy Center & Promotions and Zurgable Hardware in Emmitsburg.

The Community Show is sponsored by the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin FFA Alumni, the Maryland State Grange, and the Maryland State Agricultural Fair Board.