The Maryland State Fair was held for the 123rd year in Timonium MD during the week of August 23rd through September 2nd. Thousands of people poured in from all over the state to see the events. ranging  from rides and games, to horse races and concerts. Musical acts headlined artists like Carly Rae Jepsen and bands like Fall Out Boy and Three Days Grace.

   A big part of the State Fair every year is based on horses. With a full race track and stadium, people love to spend the day at the track picking horses and relaxing. Also at the state fair, the 4-H program hosts horse shows where owners can show off their horses in competition.

      Junior Leighanna Pasqual showed off her horse, Landon, this year at the fair under the show name “My Secret Ambition”. Her big show day was on Labor Day. Pasqual competed in an equestrian class, which is judged on her abilities as a rider, jump class, and an under saddle, a competition on walking, trotting and cantering. Landon placed third out of seven in the under saddle and fifth out of seven in the jump class.

     The horse show is a two-day event; Pasqual spent the night with her horse in the barn on Sunday night for her shows on Monday. “It’s actually kind of fun,” said Pasqual. “ You set up your own stall to sleep in and you stay with a couple of friends so in a way it’s like a sleepover. You’re just up by 5 o’clock in the morning and you have to put horses over yourself.”

   Pasquel shows in open class which is open to everyone as long as they meet the requirements and enter online by the due date. Other events are held at the state fair through the 4-H program. Many events and competitions were held such as The Miss Maryland Agriculture Contest, the Ravens Sand Sculpture contest, and the Roma Sausage Eating Contest.