Washington County Fair kicks off Tuesday

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Jason Watson of Morton, Miss., carries a plant Saturday at the Washington County fairgrounds in Fayetteville. The Washington County Fair kicks off Tuesday with 25 rides and attractions.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Jason Watson of Morton, Miss., carries a plant Saturday at the Washington County fairgrounds in Fayetteville. The Washington County Fair kicks off Tuesday with 25 rides and attractions.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County Fair is starting a week early with more rides and new events, organizers said.

"We're trying to change things up a little bit," said Kendall Pendergraft, Fair Board president. "We have a really good fair with good attendance, but you know, we always want to improve."

Fair schedule

The Washington County Fair opens to the public Tuesday. Gates open at 10 a.m. daily. General admission is $5. The petting zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The All American Lumberjack Show will run nightly Tuesday through Saturday. Check the Washington County Fair schedule for more information and to confirm times.

Tuesday

Family Night: $2 Tuesday Night; $2 Gate and $2 Rides

10 a.m. Exhibits open

5 p.m. Midway opens

Wednesday

K-12 students are admitted free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

8 a.m. Market Hog Show

5 p.m. Midway Opens

5-7 p.m. Washington County 4-H Presents Demonstrations and Hands-on Activities with Free Crafts, Thompson Hall

6-9 p.m. Washington County Farm Bureau Women Committee Fun on the Farm Exhibit, Thompson Hall

Thursday

Attendees 62 and older are admitted free 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Higher-education students are omitted free with school ID from 5 p.m. to closing.

5 p.m. Midway Opens

6:30 p.m. 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction, Livestock Arena

Friday

5 p.m. Midway Opens

5-7 p.m. Washington County 4-H Demonstrations

6:30 p.m. Ladies and Gents Lead, Sheep Barn

7 p.m. Livestock Beauty Pageant, Livestock Arena

7-9 p.m. 4-Wheeler Rodeo, Rodeo Arena

8 p.m. Washington County Sheriff’s K-9 Demonstration, Livestock Arena

10 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Midnight madness at the Midway

Saturday

9 a.m. Youth Dog Show, Livestock Arena

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dutch Oven Cook-Off, Front Gate

9 a.m. Horseshoe Pitching Contest, Rodeo Arena

11 a.m. Adult Sheep Showmanship, Livestock Arena

Noon-Midnight Midway Open

Noon Round Robin Showmanship, Livestock Arena

3-6 p.m. Kids Fest, Livestock Arena

3 p.m. Farmhand Olympics, Livestock Arena

7 p.m. Youth Talent Contest

7 p.m. LJ Jenkins Bull Riding Tour, Rodeo Arena

Source: Staff report

The fair officially kicks off Tuesday and runs through Saturday. Exhibitors started bringing in rabbits, crafts, vegetables, canned jellies and more over the weekend.

The Washington County Fair draws about 20,000 people annually, and organizers expect that to increase this year after moving it earlier in August so families can more easily attend. The fair previously included part of Labor Day weekend.

The fair includes a new Kids Fest and nightly lumberjack shows. Organizers switched to a different carnival company, which will bring 24 rides for both adults and small children.

Children ages 18 and under can participate in relay races, face painting and a stick-horse rodeo Saturday at Kids Fest, Pendergraft said. Organizers also have beefed up the petting zoo to have more and a better selection of animals, he said.

Exhibits and people planning to show at the fair is up, too, said Cheryl West, Fair Board treasurer. More than 6,000 exhibits will be on display, and pre-entry for animals is 2,000, up from about 1,500 last year.

The fair expects to give out $50,000 annually in ribbon money, West said. The annual 4-H livestock auction brought in about $185,000 for children last year, but the amounts fluctuate, she said.

Fair entertainment wouldn't be complete without chainsaws outfitted with heavy-duty engines, so two out-of-state logger-sportsmen will compete in the All American Lumberjack Show on the fairgrounds each night, said Jim Fisher, emcee for the show.

"They have souped-up motorcycle engines in their chainsaws," he said. "You can make a great big old cut in a big old log in like 4 seconds. It's very entertaining, let me tell you."

The men will show off cutting, carving, climbing and log-rolling skills. Carvings will be given away, and children get the chance to learn lumberjack skills, including running on floating logs, Fisher said.

"They are going to get wet from head to toe," Fisher said.

And, corn dogs definitely will be at the fair, Pendergraft said. A mix-up last year left some fairgoers disappointed when they couldn't find corn dogs before Friday, Pendergraft said.

"Every year we grow," West said. "There's definitely going to be something for everyone."

photo

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Victor Johns, 15, of Slidell, La., carries prizes to a booth Saturday at the Washington County fairgrounds in Fayetteville. The Washington County Fair kicks off Tuesday with 25 rides and attractions.

NW News on 08/20/2018

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