Baltimore, Maryland – October 10, 2022 – In addition to world-class equestrian competition, the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory features a wide array of other activities and attractions.
The MARS Maryland 5 Star returns to the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County, MD, October 13-16. The many activities include the Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase powered by Grow & Fortify, Maryland Fresh Food Fest and the new Maryland Corgi Cup produced by Major League Eventing.
The Maryland 5 Star 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.
Top Competition
The 2022 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.
In addition to the 5 Star competition (CCI5*-L), the event also features a 3 Star competition (CCI3*-L), which serves as the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship, and The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland. The four days of eventing competition feature Dressage (Thu-Fri), Cross-Country (Sat) showcasing Ian Stark-designed courses, and Show Jumping (Sun).
“The MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory offers a wide variety of offerings for all ages in a beautiful outdoor Fall setting in northeast Maryland (Cecil County),” 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, MARS 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 from the event title sponsor, MARS EQUESTRIAN™.
Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase
Returning to the event is the Beer, Wine & Spirits Showcase powered by Grow & Fortify, which will be held on Saturday, October 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
Maryland Fresh Food Fest
The Maryland Department of Agriculture, Cecil County Department of Agriculture and the Event are thrilled to present the return of the Maryland Fresh Food Fest on Sunday, October 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
Maryland Corgi Cup
The inaugural Maryland Corgi Cup will also be held on Sunday, October 16. Timing will be updated based on the day’s 3 Star and 5 Star competition. Produced by Major League Eventing, the race will take place on the new turf course between the grandstand, main arena and main walkways.
Plus More!
Other family-fun activities include Horseland hosted by the Maryland Horse Industry Board 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, October 14, during the lunch break between the 3 Star and 5 Star dressage phases. Also make sure to visit the Cecil County Experience 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.
New for 2022, make sure to stop by the Sawmill Crab Shack hosted by The Wellwood on Saturday. The Crab Shack is 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.
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. Thank you to the All Seasons Garden Club of Cecil County, Maryland, for your assistance!
How to Buy Tickets
Tickets for th 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. General Admission tickets start at just $15.
Fans are encouraged to follow the event on social media @maryland5starand. Sign up to receive the event e-newsletter for all the latest news and information maryland5star.us/newsletter-sign-up/.
About the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory
One of only two 5 Star events in the U.S., and just the seventh worldwide, the Maryland 5 Star continues the storied legacy of eventing at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County, Maryland. The 5 Star (CCI5*-L) designation is the pinnacle of the Olympic sport of eventing. It is best described as an equestrian triathlon. The Maryland 5 Star is produced by the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland, and in partnership with Fair Hill International.
Discover Cecil County Maryland!
Escape to Cecil County! Midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore on I-95, vibrant small towns, 200 miles of shoreline, outdoor recreation, foodie destinations, and scenery provide the perfect backdrop for memorable adventures. Experience dining at eateries with a Chesapeake Bay flair. Try local beer, wine, baked goods, homemade ice cream, an old-fashioned candy store, and more! Shop, fish, and explore trails. Take a boat ride, visit farms, enjoy the zoo, step back in time at historical attractions, and rent a kayak to explore Cecil’s waterways. Cecil County… Just a Daydream Away!
Thanks to Mane n Tail Equine for our coverage of the 2022 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, including rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more!
