Can anyone tell me anything about the Timonium state fair? I may be going this weekend. I’d be going with a few non-equestrians (well, they tolerate it, kinda) so ideas for other things to see/do there are appreciated, too. Thanks.
(I don’t think they have tractor pulls, Shammy. ;))
[QUOTE=beaujolais;8817499]
Can anyone tell me anything about the Timonium state fair? . . . .
(I don’t think they have tractor pulls, Shammy. ;))[/QUOTE]
Then it is not a real state fair anymore.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/maryland-state-fair-meet-opens-timonium-aug-26/
http://www.marylandstatefair.com/
In VA we call our end of summer festival the VA State Fate.
I used to love going to the Maryland State Fair, although it’s been years since I’ve been. What do you want to know? It’s your typical fair with typical fair events that also happens to have horses running at the track.
Thank Tex, Shamy. How is the parking? Is it far to walk over to the fair? Activities close to each other, not too far or a good walk? The weather is supposed to be kinda hot & humid, so I’m wondering if it is worth going, how hard of a day it will be. It appears they have racing & horse show classes?
Is this the location where they also have the sales (a few times?) a year? Thanks again!
As I recall parking is limited. It is a crowded built up business area. Traffic might be problematic. Check out the link I provided. Train tracks are adjacent to grandstands and shedrow. Check to see if there is a local stop nearby. Metro service abounds in MD and Northern VA. If you can park and ride, it is your best bet.
The F-T Sales Pavilion is adjacent to shedrow and the parking lot.
Come to the fair, it’s awesome! I love the fair and go every year. My son came up through 4H so I’ve even spent the night in the barns. Come HUNGRY for sure. The peach sundae in the MD Food Pavilion is to die for. It will be crowded if the weather is nice, which looks good for this weekend. I will be there Sunday afternoon and evening - I am part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park Volunteer Mounted Patrol and we are in the parade at 6 PM after the races.
They usually have a horse pull, which is really neat, and I think a tractor pull as well (Shammy Davis!). I’ll link the events calendar, but it’s not the easiest thing to use.
http://www.marylandstatefair.com/state-fair/events/date/2016/08/29
As you may already know I am from the area. Grew up going to the Fair and it was something all little kids looked forward to. Second only to Christmas. My folks would give us a bunch of ride tickets some pocket money for cotton candy, candied apples and my fav, fudge and warm fresh made “cracker jack”.
The rides may seem tame for today’s older kids. For adults it has all of the typical “farm rural life” exhibits and competitions. Lots of stuff for sale and lots of people watching.
The racing is fun IMO. But I also have fond childhood memories of being around and working for my families little racing stable. Later in my teen working for some great Maryland trainers. Lived in the dorms and walking by my old room brings back some interesting memories.
Parking can be problematic. It is not a huge facility a lot of parking but it will be tight on popular days. Most of the parking is behind the grandstand and other facilities. If you come in off of 83 on Timonium Rd the entrance is on your left right after the RR tracks.
There is an entrance off of York Rd where you can either park if there is any left between the racetrack and York Rd or go straight and turn left to go the back parking area. Don’t know how strict the Shopping center is about fair parking but that might be an option. Along with some other business on York Rd across from the grounds. They may charge. IMO might be worth it for no hassles.
The roads to the grounds are not big so expect traffic backups to get in.
As to weather, well it is summer and it is pretty much always hot a humid around these parts. Should be used to it by now, lol.
Yes there is racing and there are some horse shows on certain days. The sales pavilion is located on the south east part of the ground with the stabling behind it.
IMO it is very “walk-able” By and large for most people. One of my favorite restaurants is across York Rd from the sales pavilion. Michael’s, great food and atmosphere. Personally I like sitting at the bar and or in the bar area. If you like crab cakes you won’t be disappointed.
Funny this came up. I found an old win taken at the Timonium races from 1971 that I just posted on FB.
[QUOTE=beaujolais;8818804]
Huge help, thanks. Must run right now, just wanted to quickly say thanks. Will respond later.[/QUOTE]
I know you are already gone but wanted to encourage anyone who gets a chance to go to the races during the fair. Definitely one of the best venues for watching races I have ever seen. People bring their lawn chairs and coolers and hang out in the shade. Then the race starts and people cheer like it was the preakness. Very fun for everyone on both sides of the track.
Loved the state fair as a kid! One of my horses raced there a bunch in the 90s so it definitely holds a special place for me
Just in case anyone else was thinking about heading up to the Fair, a co-worker of mine suggests using Light Rail to avoid parking on site:
LEAVE THE DRIVING TO MTA:
The Timonium Light Rail Stop is located a short walk from the entrance to the Fairgrounds near the Cow Palace. The MTA No. 9 bus line also serves the Timonium Park and Ride/Light Rail Stop. Because convenient parking is limited, use of the Light Rail or the No. 9 bus line is encouraged. For detailed schedule information please contact MTA directly at 410-539-5000
Sorry on the late reply here. It was a hot day but the racing was, OMG, absolutely wonderful. There were lots of people on the rail, the cheering & taking pictures . . . My eyes rolled back & forth in my head for a few seconds until I processed this and I almost got teary as, WOW, this resembles, a bit, the crowd of yesteryear back when the sport was healthy. It does one’s heart good to see things like that again, esp. considering how some aspects of the sport have been faring in the past many recent years.
They were allowing free parking in the bank’s lot accross the road and we were lucky to find a spot.
GT, we did go to Michael’s as you suggested. Superb! The crab cakes were basically all crab and a wonderful sauce, no bread crumbs in sight. Thank you for the suggestion!
“Lived in the dorms and walking by my old room.”
Is that the brownish two story building? It did not look like it was currently being used at all, just btw. It was rather boarded up/patched and no signs of life at all. I did wonder if those were grooms quarters.
Way cool picture you linked, btw.
“I will be there Sunday afternoon and evening - I am part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park Volunteer Mounted Patrol and we are in the parade at 6 PM after the races.”
How great/fun! I think I saw you all. With the marching?band?
[QUOTE=gumtree;8817813]
Funny this came up. I found an old win taken at the Timonium races from 1971 that I just posted on FB.[/QUOTE]
Huh, memories! I was probably one of those horse-obsessed neighborhood kids y’all had to chase away all the time. Sorry!
I wasn’t there this time around, but it’s one of the few things I’ll put up with Maryland in August for! The atmosphere is fantastic.
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