salisbury Horse Park

Walking through the stables at the Wicomico Equestrian Center at Winterplace Park, it’s easy still to get a sense of the old grandeur—lantern chandeliers light the halls and separate lines of stalls set in rich wood and cast iron bars. What’s less easy to get, is a sense of the transformation imposed on the once-great barn by the nonprofit Wicomico Equestrian Center board and membership. In the heady 1980s, the center was an absolute palace. Originally built as a monument to the upscale equestrian set, the 81-acre park boasted the finest barns, the most state-of-the-art facilities, and even a wading pool for horse relaxation and rehabilitation during events. Eventually, though, the park fell upon hard times and its glory faded. With the exception of the occasional stall rental, which did more damage than revenue production, the park fell into disuse and disrepair. Meanwhile, Rand Thaw and some other members ofContinue Reading

Girl with rabbit at Wicomico County Fair

There was gunfire, a lot of it, but no screaming or running. In fact no one even flinched. Kids and adults alike posed before antique tractors, ate popcorn and generally wandered around taking in the county fair. If you’ve never been, let this serve as fair warning. There is gunplay at the Wicomico County Fair and everyone there is fine with it. Art Williams of Felton galloped on horseback, executing balloon after balloon in a demonstration of horsemanship. He and a half-dozen or so other riders were part of a show and competition at the extreme west side of the Wicomico County Fair at Winterplace park. Held, appropriately enough, in the ring nearest the Wicomico County Equestrian center, people lined the fences watching as rider after rider shot as many balloons as he or she could while riding as fast as they dared. And it never got tedious. One riderContinue Reading