Have a Bite of the World’s Largest Crab Cake

Most of us could agree that nothing beats a fresh Maryland crab cake (speaking of, is it lunch time yet…now, we’re hungry)!  But if you want a piece of history, literally, head out to the Maryland State Fair on Saturday, September 1^st for a crab cake sandwich made from hopes of breaking another Guinness World Record.

Handy International is a 100+ year old Maryland seafood processor who currently holds the title for world’s largest crab cake.  They first set the record in 2006 and then broke that record in 2009 with a 253-pound crab cake.  This year they will attempt to break their record again!

The crab cake has to be cooked in a specially-built pan that weighs almost as much as the ingredients themselves.  It will take about 10 hours to cook being flipped every 15-20 minutes by 4 men for even cooking.

“Everyone is excited to see how many sandwiches the colossal crab cake yields” said Andy Cashman of the Maryland State Fair. Handy International’s goal is to serve more than 700 sandwiches served from the 2009’s crab cake.  Proceeds from the sales will benefit the Maryland 4-H Foundation.

So, be sure to stop by the Maryland State Fair and get a taste of the world’s largest crab cake. Let us know how it tastes, but in the meantime – we’re too hungry to keep writing…it’s lunchtime!

Lions, Tigers and Bears…Oh, Go Wash Your Hands!

We can’t speak for everyone, but one of our favorite things to do at the local fairs is visit the petting zoo.  Yes, most of us have seen a cow or piglet before, but we get overly excited for the exotic pets like monkeys and giraffes.  And yes, you are correct, “we” as in grown adults here at Farm Credit, but don’t worry, our children like petting zoos, too.

If you are like us and swarm to the big, smelly tent, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when you leave.  The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is issuing an urgent warning regarding hand washing after touching animals at petting zoos.

By touching animals, fences, or equipment it is possible to contract a dangerous form of E.coli or other infections.  Children are especially at risk because their immune systems are not fully developed.

Now, this isn’t to say that petting zoos are lurking grounds for E.coli (really anywhere could be…), but just a friendly reminder to practice responsible parenting by making sure you and your children wash your hands after touching animals at your local fairs and festivals this summer.

Kempton Country Fair – Are you going?

You heard it right…it’s officially June and that means it’s FAIR TIME!  If you live in the Kempton, PA area (or you are looking for a mini road trip), the Kempton Country Fair begins today, Tuesday, June 12^th and runs through Saturday, June 16^th.

The fair is only $7 to enter and includes free parking, rides, and entertainment.  On Saturday, adults and kids can join the fun by participating in various contests such as pedal tractor pulls, bale pitching, raw egg tosses, corn cob tosses, and more! 

For an adrenaline rush, be sure to check out the tough trucks, tractor pulls, and stock races that will take place on the track.  Also, enjoy tons of local food stands and don’t miss the fireworks on Friday night at 10 pm.

If you do attend, be sure to snap an ag-related photo and enter it in our fair photo contest on Facebook - you could win up to $250! The photo above is a 2011 entry from Cynthia McDaniel.

If you are looking for something to do this week, head out to the Kempton Country Fair – it is sure to be some good ol’ family fun!

Tell all your “peeps”

Want a chance to win $250? Well, then it is time to sharpen up your photography skills because our fair photo contest has begun!

It’s time to scour your local fairgrounds for those priceless photo op moments where your child wins a blue ribbon in the show ring, the fair queen is crowned, or that fuzzy little chick looks like it is dying to have its’ photo taken (like the photo shown, courtesy of Michelle Bambary who was our 2011 contest winner).

The rules are simple – just go to our Facebook page and click “Fair Photo Contest” to enter your picture between now and September 30, 2012. Once we open the photos up to the public on October 1, 2012, you’ll want to tell your “peeps” to vote for you to win the grand prize. There are also prizes for 2nd and 3rd place and voting will end on October 19, 2012.

So what are you waiting for? Find your camera, become a fan of our Facebook page, and head out to your local fairs to capture the winning $250 ag-related photo of your fair-weather friends!