Jul 7, 2023 4 min read

By Van Mitchell

The Washington County Agricultural Fair is an eight-day event attracting more than 65,500 spectators annually. The 225th anniversary fair runs August 12-19.

“While we are celebrating the 225th Washington County Agricultural Fair, the foundation of this event is timeless. It has always been a way to honor our county’s rich farming heritage and, more importantly, the generations of families that have raised the crops and livestock that we depend on every day. It is a way for us to appreciate what those families and farms mean to our county and country,” said Jeff Kotula, chairman of the Washington County Agricultural Fair 225th anniversary planning committee.

The committee announced its plans to celebrate this milestone with the community.

Memorial plaza and commemorative personalized pavers

“We will build and dedicate the 225th memorial plaza, which will feature fair history, commemorative images and commemorative personalized pavers,” said Wayne Hunnell, fair board secretary and member of the anniversary planning committee. “These pavers are an excellent opportunity for you to leave your mark on the fairgrounds and be a part of this historic moment.”

The commemorative personalized pavers are either 4 by 8 inches or 8 by 8 inches. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Washington County Agricultural Fair, a 501©(3) non-profit. Purchasers could engrave a family name, business or organization or even honor a loved one’s memory.

Anniversary mural

“We have commissioned a local artist to create a mural that will showcase the history and evolution of the Washington County Agricultural Fair,” Hunnell said. “This mural will be on the exterior of a building next to the anniversary plaza. It will be a permanent display and will make for a great photo opportunity for visitors.”

Opening parade

The opening parade will be a highlight of the 225th edition of the fair. The parade will be held Aug. 13, starting at 2 p.m.

“We have invited past and present fair exhibitors to participate in the parade, showcasing the traditions and history of the fair,” Hunnell said.

225th anniversary theme and traveling antique truck and tractor exhibit

“We will have an antique truck and tractor traveling exhibit, which will showcase the evolution of agriculture and farming practices in Washington County,” Hunnell said. “This exhibit will be the 225th anniversary themed, and we encourage everyone to come out, take a picture and learn about the rich history of agriculture in our community.”

Major concert

Country artist Russell Dickerson will headline the music stage with a concert on Aug. 13 at 8:30 p.m.

Commemorative magazine

“We will be producing a special commemorative magazine that will feature the history of the Washington County Agricultural Fair and the special events and activities planned for the 225th anniversary celebration,” Hunnell said.

Commemorative ticket

“We will be producing a special commemorative ticket that will be handed out at the gate as part of Opening Day celebrations,” Hunnell said.

Hunnell said the planning committee is continuing to finalize all the fair details.

“There’s a lot of moving parts to this thing right now,” he said. “But I think, in general, the pieces are all falling in line. Join us for this special occasion as we celebrate 225 years of agriculture, tradition and community at the Washington County Agricultural Fair. We look forward to seeing you there.”

The Washington County Agricultural Fair and the fairgrounds are key economic drivers for Washington County and surrounding communities. The fairgrounds include five exhibit halls, ten barns, a grandstand, the show arena, show tent and picnic pavilion. The fairgrounds are active on a year-round basis attracting various shows and exhibits. Most of these events are rentals where organizations lease the facility. Most events occur over multiple days and weekends, and the total fair and expo center attendance exceeds 135,000 annually.

For more information, visit the fair website at washingtonfair.org or call the fair office at 724-225-7718. Daily admission is $10, including carnival rides, and parking is always free.