FAIR HILL, Md.--In addition to world-class equestrian competition, Oct. 13-16, the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill features a wide array of other activities and attractions.
Oliver Townend on last year's cross country (Photo by Allen MacMillan)The many activities include the Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase, Maryland Fresh Food Fest and the new Maryland Corgi Cup.
The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill is one of only two 5 Star level equestrian events of its kind in the United States and just the seventh worldwide.
The event made a spectacular debut last year, welcoming a total of 20,886 spectators and 184 competitors that featured four of the top eight eventers in the world.
This year's event features three of the top five ranked eventers in the world, Tim Price of New Zealand #1, Oliver Townend of Great Britain #3 and Will Coleman of the U.S. #5.
The event’s prestigious 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of eventing, often described as an equestrian triathlon.
The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill will once again be available to fans near and far thanks to daily broadcasts on Maryland Public Television (MPT) and livestreams on USEF Network and Horse & Country.
IN ADDITION to the 5 Star competition, the event also features a 3 Star competition, which serves as the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship, and the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships.
Enjoy the Beer, Wine & Spirits ShowcaseThe four days of eventing competition feature Dressage Thursaday and Friday, Cross-Country Saturday over Ian Stark-designed courses, and Show Jumping Sunday.
“The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill offers a wide variety of offerings for all ages in a beautiful outdoor Fall setting in northeast Maryland,” said Jeff Newman, President & CEO of the Maryland 5 Star Event Committee. “In addition to the chance to watch the world’s best horses and athletes compete in the sport of eventing, we have a line-up of family activities, attractions, shopping and Maryland-style food and beverage offerings with something for everyone, whether they love horses or not. It’s no wonder that so many people are making plans to join us!”
One of the attractions, VIPet, is for pets. Bring your dog(s) and give your pet the VIP Experience where you’re the “plus 1”!
Experience a dog agility course, selfie stations, and giveaways.
Returning to the event is the Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase powered by Grow & Fortify, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Tickets for this special event are available through the event website and onsite on Saturday.
Vendors currently signed up include:
Baltimore Spirits Company
Elk River Brewing Company
Gray Wolf Spirits
Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company
LYON RUM
Maryland Distillers Guild
McClintock Distilling
Mobtown Brewing Company
Painted Stave Distilling
Rosie Cheeks Distilling
Twin Valley Distillers
The Urban Winery
The Maryland Fresh Food Fest is featured on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Maryland Fresh Food Fest will feature seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats and seafood, and much more.
Admission to the area is free with any valid Sunday ticket.
Current Fresh Food Fest vendors currently signed up include:
Bohemia Apiary
Broken Spoke Winery
Chesapeake Gold Farms
Crazy Beach Boards
Flying Plow Farm
Luff Family Farms
Maryland’s Best
Milburn Orchards
Shore Sauce
The inaugural Maryland Corgi Cup will also be held on Sunday, Oct. 16.
Timing will be updated based on the day’s 3 Star and 5 Star competition.
The race will take place on the new turf course between the grandstand, main arena and main walkways.
Other family-fun activities include Horseland and a fan-favorite Mustang demonstration with Elisa Wallace.
Horseland will return during all four competition days, tentatively open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Elisa Wallace and her Mustangs return on Friday, Oct. 14, during the lunch break between the 3 Star and 5 Star dressage phases.
Also make sure to visit the Cecil County Experience near Horseland to partake in delicious local samples, meet animals from the local zoo and much more; see the event schedule for times!
Don’t forget to shop ’til you drop with nearly 100 vendors onsite throughout the duration of the event.
Returning and new faces will be in attendance around the Fair Hill Special Event Zone offering a wide variety of products for all your shopping needs.
New for this year, make sure to stop by the Sawmill Crab Shack on Saturday, located at the cross country course’s signature Crab Water Complex.
Enjoy a crab and seafood menu on picnic benches right by where the horses are jumping over crab-designed obstacles.
And lastly, rejoin us Monday, October 17, at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone from 2:00-5:30 p.m. as we sell the plants from the event.
Tickets for the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill can be purchased at Maryland5Star.us/tickets or onsite at the box office.
A variety of single and multi-day ticket packages along with exclusive Club and VIP Hospitality packages, are still available but going fast.
General Admission tickets start at just $15.
Fans are encouraged to follow the event on social media @maryland5star and/or sign up to receive the event e-newsletter for all the latest news and information maryland5star.us/newsletter-sign-up/, including details on this year’s new additions.
