All the Fair’s a Stage

The county fair has a way of inspiring performances big and small, whether it be 4-Hers showing off their prized livestock, crash-thirsty drivers smashing their way through the demolition derby or fleet-footed piglets racing for a sweet reward.

Perhaps the most stellar of those performances come thanks to a handful of ambitious singers, dancers and even baton twirlers strutting their stuff in the "Fair's Got Talent" competition. This year’s contest started with 16 aspiring stars taking to PEPCO Community Stage Saturday night to woo the crowd and wow the judges. The 10 best advanced to the semifinals this Friday, full with hope of taking the title and $300 prize the following night, the fair’s finale.

But contestants like Sierra Buck aren’t driven much by the spotlight or the money.

"Because I love performing," said the 12-year-old country-rock crooner, a student at Lakelands Park Middle School. "It's what I want to do in my life."

The three-judge panel on Saturday night reserved some of their highest acclaim for Seth Hrabosky, a folk singer from Frederick, who performed "Next to You" by singer-songwriter Chris Brown. The 16-year-old is a veteran of the stage, and his performances have won him trips across the country.

"I do a lot of talent shows so I just thought I would compete again," he said.

Even away from the limelight and free of any competitive pressure, the fair is brimming with performances no less heartfelt and sincere.

Each night, students from Ridgeview Middle School plunge down the rabbit hole and bring “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” to life in the fair’s KidZone.

No fairgoer last long without seeing Carrie McQueen towering above the crowd, juggling pins and dishing out warm hellos as she roams the midway on stilts—without yet taking a tumble from her lofty height.

"Why are you so tall?" asked one of her wee fans.

"My whole family is tall," teased McQueen.

And among the sheep, cattle and traditional livestock, one unusual creature has been prowling the fairgrounds—upright, feathery and bright, bright yellow. Eleven-year-old Hannah Raygor of Germantown donned the chicken outfit to give out hugs and tempt passersby toward Trinity United Methodist Church’s barbecue stand.

"We're having a blast," said Frank Blanchard, a church council member who accompanied Hannah.

The 63rd Montgomery County Agricultural Fair continues through Saturday in Gaithersburg from 10 a.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10. Parking costs $5 (though a free shuttle leaves every few minutes from Lakeforest Mall).