County fair builds on traditions

FAYETTEVILLE — The Washington County Fair plans to build on tradition this year, keeping to the schedule adopted last year and bringing back the same carnival.

“We’ve tried to make it family friendly and it is,” said Darrell Tunstill, a member of the Fair Board and a longtime participant in the fair.

The fair runs Tuesday through Saturday at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2537 N. McConnell Ave.

Tunstill said his family has been tied to the fair for more than a half-century. He said his father, Robert Tunstill, has shown livestock at the fair for more than 50 years.

“He started with chickens, then we moved to showing a lot of cattle,” Tunstill said. “My daughter showed and my dad still shows chickens every year.”

Kendall Pendergraft, Fair Board president, said the fair will have some new elements. He said this year fairgoers can purchase admission and armbands online or at the gate. Another improvement — air-conditioning in the three exhibit halls — will add to the comfort.

Pendergraft said there will be new rides at the fair this year although the carnival will be provided by the same company.

“They have more rides than we can place on the fairgrounds, so they can bring in different rides every year,” he said.

The fair will also feature the usual range of competitions and exhibits. Isaac Gauvey, Washington County agent for 4H and Youth Development with the University of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Service, said his office has seen a growing number of requests for information about exhibiting at the fair.

Gauvey said the county fair is the culmination of a year’s work, or more, for the kids who show there.

“To the kids, it’s a huge deal,” he said.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Woodrow Burkett, 8, of Springdale (center) holds a show chicken Saturday at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville. He placed as the reserve grand champion. Participants collected their ribbons following a poultry judging event. Judges awarded ribbons in several categories: chain broilers, chain turkeys, white Leghorn pullets and Hyline pullets.