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DENTON – A highlight of the Caroline-Dorchester Fair this year was the official opening and dedication of a much-needed building extension Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in the 4-H Park on Detour Road outside Denton.
Local dignitaries cut the ribbon to open a 1,200-foot extension on the east end of the exhibit barn sponsored by Preston Automotive Group and Tri Gas and Oil.
On hand were Maryland Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-37); Caroline County Commissioners Travis Breeding, Larry Porter and Frank Bartz; Dorchester County Councilmen Lenny Pfeffer and Mike Detmer; Tracy Snyder, executive director of the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce, Caroline County Sheriff Donnie Baker, University of Maryland Extension - Caroline County staff, Matt Teffeau of Choptank Electric Cooperative, and 4-H personnel, among others.
“I'd like to thank the Park Board and the Fair Board for all their hard work in putting this together – congratulations,” Breeding said. “We look forward to another successful fair and really appreciate all the hard work and time. … It's a great event in Caroline County that we all look forward to every year.”
Detmer brought greetings from U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), saying that Harris is “definitely a big proponent of 4-H.”
“4-H and these county fairs are just such an essential part of keeping our future going,” Detmer said.
Cutting the ribbon and representing Caroline County were Skylar Blunt of Goldsboro, a member of Pure Country 4-H Club, and, representing Dorchester County, Emmett Hults of East New Market, a “Cloverbud” in the Trailblazers 4-H Club.
“This is Americana in person, right here in Caroline County,” Mautz said, speaking on behalf of the Eastern Shore delegation. “We want to salute our 4-Hers and everything you guys put into those animals every year; it's a great thing that you do, so God bless you.”
Although the new building is tucked away at the far end of the park, it will provide essential storage space for the Extension office and restrooms with showers for 4-Hers and their families who line up their campers next to the building. About 18 RVs were parked behind the building for the week, housing at least four to six adults and 4-Hers in each.
The project that cost just over $100,000 was financed by the Williams Fund, the 4-H Foundation, the 4-H Park Board and the Caroline County Commissioners.
“This was a big collaboration,” said Lori Bishop of Caroline County 4-H.
“The Fair Board and the Park Board and the Extension office are grateful to the Williams family for the donations … that allow for these improvements,” said Area Extension Director Dr. Paul Rickert.
Rickert said the Extension office based at 9194 Legion Road needed the extra space to house equipment, gear, testing equipment, records and supplies. 4-H members’ records are kept until they turn 21 years old.
“One of the things that we have in one of my other offices (at Legion Road) is a big 4-H blender bike,” Rickert said. “It’s a stationary bike, and at the front is an attachment for a blender to make smoothies, and it's kid powered … it takes up quite a few cubic feet.”
A new well and septic was installed as well. 4-Hers now don’t need to make the long trek to the Still Building for drinkable water and restroom visits.
“We've talked about this for years,” said 4-H Park board member Charlotte Brown. “The 4-Hers were ecstatic to know that they can use the bathrooms. … We were working on them last year, and they didn't get done in time.”
Rickert said 4-H Park groundskeeper Jack Kelly was “integral to the entire thing.”
“This project has been wanted for years,” Kelly said.
Another amenity added to the 4-H Park is complimentary year-round WiFi, courtesy of Choptank Fiber. Scattered around the park were blue signs with QR codes for exhibitors, vendors and personnel to download to access the internet.
