The 68th Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show will be held on September 6 through September 8 at Catoctin High School.
Entry of exhibits is on Thursday evening, September 5, from 5:30 -8:30 p.m., and on Friday morning, September 6, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., in the gymnasium and the agriculture department area. The show opens to the public on Friday at 5:30 p.m., featuring free admission and free parking, courtesy of Thurmont Scout Troop 270.
Opening Ceremonies Program begins at 6:30 p.m., with the 46th Annual Community Organizations Flag Ceremony. Patriotic music will be performed by the Catoctin High School Band, and the 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Chapter Ambassador will be announced.
The annual Baked Goods Auction will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. Bidder registration and bidder card pickup will be on the stage prior to the auction, with payment by cash and/or check. At 8:00 p.m., all Grand Champion and Reserve Champion cakes, pies, breads, and misc. baked products will be sold, along with the Youth and Junior Department’s Champion and Reserve Champion cake and misc. baked product.
During the entire weekend in the auxiliary gym, the Friends of the Thurmont Regional Library will be holding its annual used book sale. John Kinnaird will have a display of area historical photographs. There also will be a display of quilts and afghans in the gymnasium, and many local businesses and community organizations will have displays and exhibits throughout the school.
On Saturday, September 7, the show is open from 9:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. Morning activities include a Market Goat, Beef, Sheep and Swine Fitting & Showing/Show, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Ag Center. The Frederick County Public Library’s Rover Van will be near the school’s flagpole area from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., so visitors can check out the selection of books.
On both Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., a petting zoo with farm animals, sow and litter of piglets, goat snuggling, pony rides, and face painting will available. There also will be various craft vendors and food vendors, including The Sauced Savage, Glamourview Creamery, and Cracken Catering.
Do you have a cat? Dog? Or other pet? Can your pet do tricks? Do you have a special costume that your pet wears? If so, bring your pet to the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Pet Show on Saturday, September 7. Prior to the Pet Show, the Thurmont Police Department will be having a K-9 demonstration, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Registration for the Pet Show begins at 10:00 a.m. on the front lawn of Catoctin High School. Pet Show starts at 10:30 a.m. Entries will be accepted from any person in the Catoctin High School feeder area. Pets must be handled and controlled by their owners and/or crated. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own chairs to sit on during the show.
The judges will select a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Pet. Gift certificates will be donated by Tractor Supply Company on Devilbiss Bridge Road in Frederick and The Dirty Dawg on N. Church Street in Thurmont. Previous year’s Grand Champions and Reserve Champions are ineligible to enter. An ant is not a pet, and animals are not allowed in the school.
Premiums will be awarded for Class winners as follows: 1st — $6; 2nd — $5; 3rd—$4 (premium checks will be mailed by November 15, 2024).
Only one entry is allowed in each class, and you may enter as many classes as you wish. The classes are: Class 1—Cat with Prettiest Eyes; Class 2—Cat with Longest Whiskers; Class 3—Pet with Most Spots; Class 4—Largest Pet (by height); Class 5—Dog with Waggiest Tail; Class 6—Prettiest Dog (25 lbs. and under); Class 7—Prettiest Dog (26 lbs. and over); Class 8—Dog with Prettiest Eyes; Class 9—Cutest Pet (other than cat or dog); Class 10—Smallest Pet; Class 11—Cutest Cat; Class 12—Best Costumed Pet; Class 13—Most Unusual Pet; Class 14—Best Trained Pet. Remember to bring your pet to participate in the annual Pet Show on and be a part of the 68th annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show!
From 3:00-6:30 p.m., a Roast Turkey and Baked Ham Buffet will be served by Thurmont Kountry Kitchen in the Cafeteria. Adults cost $20.00; children under 12 cost $10.00; carryouts cost $22.00.
Elvis Tribute Artist Taylor Brown will perform two different free shows in the school auditorium on Saturday night, the first at 6:30-7:30 p.m. for 50’s & 60’s music, and the second at 8:00-9:00 p.m. for 70’s music.
The Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters Beef, Sheep & Swine and Market Goat Sale will be held in the Ag Center at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, with approximately 50 animals being sold. Buyers are welcome to support the local FFA and 4-H youth with their animal projects.
Sunday morning activities begin at 9:00 a.m., with the Dairy Goat Show, followed by the Dairy Cattle Show, starting at approximately 9:30 a.m., and the Decorated Animal Contest at 11:00 a.m. Starting at noon, the Barnyard Olympics will be held in the front of the school for children (ages 5-13). Under the Ag Center’s big tent, the Log Sawing Contest starts at 1:00 p.m. with the categories of women’s team, men’s team, women & men’s team, and children’s team.
From 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., a Broasted Chicken and Pulled Prok BBQ Buffet will be served by Thurmont Kountry Kitchen in the Cafeteria. Adults cost $20.00; children under 12 cost $10.00; carryouts cost $22.00.
The 5.5 Men band will perform two free one-hour shows in the auditorium, form 12:15-1:15 p.m. and 1:45-2:45 p.m. The 43rd Annual Robert Kaas Horseshoe Pitching Contest will be held on the softball field at 1:00 p.m.
The 68th Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show is sponsored by the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters, Maryland State Grange, and the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board.
Photo shows last year’s Pet Show Grand Champion Will Valentine with his dog and Reserve Champion Deborah Boisvert with her dog.
