Rules & Regulations

General Regulations

• All persons enter at their own risk.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for the supervision of all minors.
• No animals are allowed on the Festival grounds, with the exception of trained service animals (as defined by the ADA, accompanying individuals with disabilities); livestock (sheep, camelids, goats, rabbits); and working herding dogs entered for official show, display, or demonstration purposes (with proper health certificates available for inspection). Emotional support animals, therapy animals, comfort animals, companion animals, and pets are strictly prohibited.
• No drones, except by explicit permission of the Festival.
• No alcoholic beverages, except for approved vendors.
• No controlled substances allowed.
• No illegal or unlawful activity allowed.
• No demonstrations or protests.
• No soliciting.
• No distribution of any printed material/flyers/advertisements, etc.
• No personal announcements. Please arrange a meeting place before your group separates.
• The Festival is not responsible for lost articles.
• There will be a $25 charge on any check returned for any reason.
• The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival reserves the right to exclude from the fairgrounds any person (exhibitor, spectator, vendor, volunteer, or admission paying patron) who is in any manner disruptive or who exhibits inappropriate behavior that would disturb the public or impede smooth operation of the Festival. Such behavior may include, but not be limited to, any public cursing, abusive, or belligerent language, or any language or conduct which causes others to feel threatened. The Festival may delegate authority to impose any such sanction to its designated security officers. Said sanction shall also include the right to temporarily or permanently ban participation in future events. In the event a person who has paid admission to the fairgrounds is asked to leave the premises, such admission shall be refunded when the person leaves the premises.

ALL VIOLATORS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ESCORTED FROM THE PREMISES.

Animal Health Regulations

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Animal Health Program strives to safeguard Maryland’s animal industries at fairs and shows. With an increased potential of disease transmission occurring when large numbers of animals gather for exhibition, MDA has set forth requirements for exhibitors to follow at Maryland fairs and shows. As an exhibitor, you can help reduce the potential risk of introduction and spread of infectious and/or contagious diseases by following the species-specific health requirements at Maryland Animal Health Fair and Show Requirements.

**ALL EXIBITORS AND VENDORS**

Highlights of the MDA requirements are summarized below, but if you are bringing livestock to the Festival, please review the complete requirements at
Maryland Animal Health Fair and Show Requirements.

• All Maryland sheep and goats must be accompanied by a Maryland Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within 120 days of the opening date of the Festival.
• All out-of-state sheep and goats must be accompanied by an Interstate CVI issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of the opening date of the Festival.
• Online CVIs have always been accepted but are encouraged and strongly recommended. Please print out a copy to keep with the animal(s).
• In addition to the appropriate CVI, a Livestock Exhibitors Self Certification Form is required for all animals brought onto the fairgrounds. These forms must be filled out within 24 hours prior to loading and presented upon request to the designated representative.
• All sheep and goats must be officially scrapie-identified via USDA-approved eartag, legible and healed tattoo, a microchip ID (if the owner provides the reader), or USDA approved RFID tag.
• Vendors bringing rabbits – please refer to MDA’s Animal Health Fair and Show Requirements for information specific to rabbits

ANIMALS FAILING TO MEET COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION OF ALL REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DENIED ENTRY OR REMOVED FROM THE FAIRGROUNDS IMMEDIATELY

• Due to Maryland Veterinary Inspection standards, no animals can be kept/penned outside of festival buildings.
• Un-weaned baby lambs or those less than 60 days of age are not allowed at the Festival. This is very important due to health issues.

** Animals to be sold at the Festival**

If you sell your animals while at the festival, please do not allow the purchaser to remove the animal from your pens until after release on Sunday. If this occurs, ineligibility for future Festival shows and/or forfeiture of premium money may occur. If you have an animal that you have pre-sold, please have the CVI completed by your veterinarian along with your show papers. All animals that are moved from Maryland and not returned to the state of origin MUST be accompanied by a Maryland CVI. The scrapie program has enabled animals to be tracked from farm to farm.

We know that the health certificate requirements can be confusing. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Dr. Mara Mullinix at (301) 865-4224 or at moc.l1784049135iamg@1784049135wohsp1784049135eehs.1784049135FWSDM1784049135.