Washington County celebrates opening weekend at the fair
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Dave Randolph, right, helps John Grice move hay into the dairy barn at the Washington County Fairgrounds Friday afternoon while Grice’s wife Judy and their grandchildren cheer the men on. Randolph, who runs Randolph Holstein Farms, said he just happened to arrive at the same time as Grice (his former 4-H judging instructor), who runs Folly-Hollow Farms.
Bright bouquets are on display inside the Junior Exhibition Hall, where youth dropped off floral arrangements, artworks and other projects Friday for judging.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Jayden Howes, 13; Eve Delaney, 13; Eden Delaney, 17; and Grace Delaney, 14, all students at Beth-Center School District, deliver their arts and crafts to the exhibition halls ahead of judging. The four creators have participated in the Washington County Fair for years, and looked forward to seeing how their crocheted, painted, hand-sewn and hand-crafted works fare this year.
For the first time in the Washington County Fair's 234 years, a hand-quilted blanket emblazoned with the Farmer's Prayer will be auctioned off. The quilt was crafted by Kathie Hunnell, and auction proceeds will be donated to the fair.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Kathie Hunnell spent about one month crafting this quilt, a tribute to farm life complete with the Farmer’s Prayer. Hunnell, whose husband Wayne is a Washington County Fair board member, will auction the quilt this week, and proceeds will benefit the fair.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Washington County Fair Secretary Wayne Hunnell addresses the media Friday morning during a press event. Hunnell announced improvements to several exhibition halls and said this year, the fair is for the first time hosting KOI drag racing the last Saturday of fair week.
The Washington County fairgrounds hummed with activity Friday morning, as vendors hung signs above their tables, and bakers, artists and crafters delivered their works to exhibition halls ahead of judging.
While folks bustled about, the media convened for a press conference led by fair secretary Wayne Hunnell, who said visitors can expect updated tradition at this year’s event.
Updates to the fairgrounds include a snazzy digital sign, installed last year thanks to fair sponsor EQT, freshly-painted buildings and a new hall.
“Hall number 3, basically it’s a new building,” said Hunnell. “The old building did not have restrooms, which this one does. The old building did not have heating and air. This one does.”
Along with the brand-new hall and its modern amenities, other halls wear fresh coats of paint and CNX Show Arena is sporting a new sign, courtesy fair sponsor CNX. The fair this year added several new sponsors to its list of generous community supporters.
“The community is getting more behind us,” Hunnell said.
Last year, 55,813 folks visited the Washington County Fair. Hunnell hopes to welcome more than 57,000 through the entrance gates this week.
The fun-filled week begins with the lawn and garden tractor pull at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, followed by the iconic chocolate cake, angel food cake and blue ribbon apple pie contests.
Visitors will revel in the daily circus and magic shows, while thrill-seekers are sure to love the classic fair rides. Of course, there’s harness racing at 11 a.m. Monday, live entertainment nightly and livestock judging and sales all week long.
“The Washington County Fair is part of our history, part of our life and part of our future,” said county Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn, who Hunnell thanked during the press conference for her continued assistance in making fairground updates possible.
For a full Washington County Fair schedule, visit https://washingtonfair.org.