Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Washington County Fair Opens Tuesday
From bull riding to carnival rides to livestock shows, the 159th annual Washington County Fair opens next week, Aug. 30 through Sept. 3, with the front gate opening to the public at 10 a.m. each weekday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. The carnival midway opens at 5 p.m. each day, except for noon on Saturday.
Gate admission is $5 for ages 6 and older.
Special admission prices are available on different nights. Tuesday, Aug. 30, is Family Night and admission is $2 at the gate and $2 per ride.
Wednesday, Aug. 31, is livestock show/school day and students are admitted free through 3 p.m. Thursday is Senior Citizens Day and those 62 years or older are admitted free through 5 p.m. University of Arkansas students receive free admission with a college ID from 5 p.m. to close on Thursday night.
Midway armbands for $20 will be available on Midnight Madness from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, and for Sizzling Saturday from 10 p.m. to close on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Livestock judging takes place during the day Tuesday through Thursday. Visitors can stop by the livestock arena to see dairy goats, dairy cattle, breeding sheep, poultry, commercial heifers and market hogs.
Exhibits of many various entries submitted for competition will be available to see in Thompson Hall and the Horticulture Hall each day. These include clothing, household arts and needle arts, food preservation, fine arts and photography.
The popular Hambone Express Pig Races return to the fairgrounds this year and races will be held every hour beginning at 5 p.m. on each day.
The annual Washington County Fair Pageant will take place 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at Prairie Grove High School. The pageant is open to girls ages 0-21 who reside in Washington County. The teen and miss winners will also compete in the Arkansas State Fair Queen contest in October.
On the last day, several featured events are scheduled. A youth dog show will be held at 9 a.m. in the livestock arena, Dutch Oven Cook-Off from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. at the front gate, farmhand Olympics at 2 p.m. in the livestock arena, youth talent contest at 6 p.m.in the livestock arena and Mutton Bustin’ in the riding arena at 6:30 p.m.
The evening activities conclude with L.J. Jenkins Bull Riding Tour at 7:30 p.m. in the riding arena.
Billed as the largest county fair in Arkansas, Washington County Fair is located on the county fairgrounds on McConnell Road. Volunteers will be present to assist with parking. Washington County Fair Association does not charge for parking, nor does it encourage visitors to use paid parking lots set up by other organizations not associated with the fair.