Aug 5, 2016

2016 Harford County Farm Fair

: Rowan Harris, 2 of Bel Air gets a child’s eye view of Ron, a Katahdin ram owned by Darlington Lamb, during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Fair goers mill about on a sticky hot evening during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Having grown emotionally attached on her first year as a 4-H participant, Elizabeth Balint, 9 weeps, anticipating the impending auction sale of her ewe lamb Nora, which was awarded reserve grand champion during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Navigating the final part of a funhouse, Kelsey Raffaeli of Abingdon stands behind her son Brian Bromell Jr., 3, who shows caution entering the barrel of fun, during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: From left, siblings Mark Hopkins, 14, Emily Hopkins, 15, and Katie Hopkins, 10 of Bel Air show varying results of the crush of centrifugal force while being whipped around on the Sizzler, during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Ava Moffett, 6 of Bel Air (left) and neighbor/friend Morgan Rowe, 6, both knock down their snowballs during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Teagan Horseman, 4, doesn’t like Miner Mike, her first roller coaster ride, during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Spectators watch the Lucas Oil Truck and Tractor Pull during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: A dairy goat looks at Ace Rehling, 11 months while held by his mother, Whitney Monahan of Bel Air during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Angelina Giglio-tos, 13 of Forest Hill knocks off Amanda Bryant, 13 of Forest Hill during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Dandy, a miniature horse, peers over the shoulder of Vivian Davis of Pylesville during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Youngsters play a game of chance, throwing ping pong balls over a sea of open, empty fish bowls for the opportunity to win a goldfish during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Lydia Ball of Bel Air plays a game of chance, throwing ping pong balls over a sea of open, empty fish bowls for the opportunity to win a goldfish during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Nine-year-old twin sisters Addyson Phoebus (left) and Maya Phoebus of Delta, PA race down the slide during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Noah Sekowski, 16 of Forest Hill holds 10-week-old cornish pair that won grand champion prize, which is sold at auction for $550 during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Daniel Lee, 14 of North East shares fried dough with his father Sam Thomas during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Brady Curriden, 4 of Fallston feels weary after a long day, resting atop the shoulders of his father Keith Curriden of Fallston during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: A young couple press together during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Sabrina York, 12 of Churchville observes her brown labrador retriever, Turbo, compete in the 4-H Dog Agility Contest during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Siblings Jayden, 4 of Bel Air and Alicia Bond, 7 of Street enjoy a kiddie ride during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: The Tornado ride glows in the twilight during the annual Harford County Farm Fair. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Harford County Farm Fair from Baltimore Sun's The Darkroom on Vimeo.

Along the midway, lights twinkle, children scream and cooks deep fry a variety of food for fairgoers at an annual event that harkens memories of the past.

Nine-year-old Elizabeth Balint, a first time 4-H participant, wept openly beside her mother as the moment arrived for her to part ways with her ewe Nora. Leaving her mother’s side, she led Nora through a series of gates to stand in a fenced ring before the packed crowd while the auctioneer chirped out bids from buyers.

Summer is the heart of fair season throughout Maryland, as organizers assemble tents, rides and contests on vacant county lots such as the Harford County Farm Fair grounds outside Bel Air. The core of the county fair highlights youths who are tasked with growing poultry and livestock or fruit/vegetables, with awards given for the best judged in each category.

All 23 counties throughout Maryland host fairs or carnivals. The largest event is the Maryland State Fair (Aug. 25-Sept. 5), and the final one – the Calvert County Fair – lasts Sept 24-28.

2016 Harford County Farm Fair

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