By Joseph Edelen

HARRINGTON — Thursday was bittersweet for term-limited Gov. John Carney, as he took part in the final Delaware State Fair Governor’s Day of his tenure.

While one of his favorite events — the National FFA Organization’s egg toss — was canceled due to rain, the governor was able to tour the fairgrounds and its offerings with Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long. He ended the night with harness racing at the M&T Bank Grandstand.

“It’s just a tremendous privilege to be welcomed onto their property, to have them educate me on what’s important in agriculture, what’s important for those families,” Gov. Carney told the Daily State News. “It’s just really special. Governor’s Day at the fair really is a high point for us during the year.”

Elected in 2016, Gov. Carney will depart his post as Delaware’s chief executive in January 2025. Prior to his time in this role, the Wilmington Democrat served as lieutenant governor from 2001-09 and as the state’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-17.

As his political career pivots to his pursuit of Wilmington’s mayoral position, he was sure to make the most out of his fair tour Thursday.

“We visited exhibits in the hockey arena. They were really impressive this year. … I love the presentations we made for the environmentalists of the year, two really impressive young people. It certainly gives you the idea that we’re in pretty good hands when it comes to environmental protection and just how intelligent our young people are,” he said.

“Then, of course, the fishing awards — little kids, big fish. Those kids are unbelievable with the fish that they catch.”

He also noted that, while Governor’s Day is an opportunity to engage with families and participate in all the fair has to offer, it also brings attention to one of Delaware’s most vital industries: agriculture.

“I love the whole idea of Governor’s Day because it really does give the chief executive an opportunity to celebrate family farmers, to celebrate our heritage of agriculture here in our state,” Gov. Carney said. “It’s an industry that is a way of life for the people that run the farms.”

Among the activities he participated in were tours of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Building, visits to livestock and chicken barns, and attending the drawing for a low-digit license plate with the Department of Transportation.

Gov. Carney also signed two pieces of legislation into law Thursday — House bills 87 and 392 — which respectively establish the Delaware Agricultural Production Assistance Program and allow reimbursement for dairy farmers participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s risk management coverage program.