Here is the new and completely revised schedule regarding honeybee-related Fair activities, such as submitting and judging fair entries, setting up the FCBA bee booth, delivering honey for sale at the bee booth during the Fair, and dismantling the bee booth.
A Note from Fair Officials Regarding Policy:
We would like to thank the Frederick County Beekeeping Association for your booth and entries at this year’s fair. Your participation, educational displays, and honey entries continue to be an important and much-appreciated part of the Farm & Garden Building.
We also wanted to take a moment to revisit the original agreement established years ago under Ernie Miner, which some of you may not be aware of. Under that agreement, the Frederick County Beekeeping Association was provided space in the Farm & Garden Building free of charge, in exchange for educational exhibits and activities presented by the group. (For reference, a commercial vendor space during fair week typically starts at $800.)
As part of that understanding, club members who sold honey at the fair were also required to enter their honey and bee-related items in the Honey & Beeswax Competition. Over the years, the Fair Board has noticed a steady decline in these entries. To uphold the spirit of our long-standing partnership, the Fair Board has decided to re-institute this requirement moving forward. This decision reflects the Board’s commitment to maintaining both the educational and competitive aspects that have long made the beekeeping exhibit a highlight of the Farm & Garden Building.
Anyone wishing to sell their honey must also enter honey and/or bee-related items in the Honey & Beeswax Competition and pay the $12 entry fee. Upon payment, they will receive a fair pass valid for one single entry each day (a $90 value).
Please note: All honey to be sold must be pre-labeled prior to drop-off. This change is intended to make the check-in and setup process smoother for everyone involved.
Additionally, for 2026, the Fair Board has decided that all buildings will be open to the public on Friday, September 18th. As a result, we must adjust our set-up and entry drop-off schedule. Please see the details below.
2026 Fair Sept 18-26, 2026
Schedule and Details
Booth Setup & Honey Sales Drop-Off:
Monday, September 14th, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Please note: All honey to be sold must be pre-labeled prior to drop-off. This change is intended to make the check-in and setup process smoother for everyone involved.
Honey, Beeswax and other Honeybee-related Fair Entries Accepted:
Tuesday, September 15th and Wednesday, September 16th, from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Judging:
Thursday, September 17th
Building Opens to the Public:
Friday, September 18th, at 4:00 PM (Attendance for FCBA on this day is optional; you may choose whether or not to open your booth)
Tear Down
Sunday, Sept. 21st, 8 AM to 10 AM: Dismantle the bee booth, remove the observation hive, and retrieve unsold honey.
Go Here to see Fair Rules and Regulations for honeybee-related Fair submissions