Washington County Fair Scheduled To Open Tuesday

The 156th Washington County Fair will open Tuesday, Aug. 27, and run through Saturday, Aug 31.

From animal shows to a tractor pull to carnival rides, the Washington County Fair is billed as having something for the whole family. The admission fee at the gate is $5 per person, children under 6 are free, except for Tuesday. On Tuesday, it costs $2 at the gate and $2 per ride with a canned food donation to help Seven Hills Homeless Shelter.

The fair officially opens at 10 a.m., Aug. 27, for fair-goers to see the exhibits and walk through the animal barns.

Alice Walker, public relations coordinator, said the fair will have several new features this year.

Pig races, called the Hambone Express, will be held nightly for everyone’s entertainment. The races will be held at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday and will be held hourly from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The fair also will have camel rides and monkeys from the Gentry Safari. Other activities are scheduled throughout the week. These include the county fair pageant and queen contest on Tuesday and free concerts each evening at the Latco Stage.

Wednesday, Aug. 28, is especially geared for school groups and children are free at the gate from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, is Senior Citizen Day and senior adults, 62 and older, will receive free admission.

Saturday, Aug. 31, will be a full day for visitors. The fair kicks off with the youth dog show at 9 a.m., a Dutch Oven Cook-Off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a tractor pull from noon-5 p. m., youth talent contest at 6 p. m., Mutton Bustin’ at 6:30 p.m. and the Bull Buckout at 7 p.m. at the NWA Riding Club Arena.

Carnival rides open at 5 p.m. each weekday and at noon on Saturday. Special prices this year include Midnight Madness from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday. An armband costs $ 20 with a Pepsi can for Midnight Madness. Another special will be $15 for an armband from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Other nights, the armband cost $ 25 per person.

Walker said the carnival will have four new rides, one for small children and three “spectacular” rides.

For more information, go to www.mywashingtoncountyfair.com or the Washington County Fair Facebook page.