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.
Washington County Fair
Admission is $5 per person (ages 6 and older), except Tuesday Family Night, when admission is $2 per person with a canned food item. Armbands for the Carnival Midway will be sold every night for $25. Parking is free.
Tuesday
• Family Night: $2 admission, $2 rides
• 10 a.m.: Gates open
• 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.: Free petting zoo.
• 11 a.m.: Breeding sheep judging, Sheep Barn
• 1 p.m.: Meat goat show, Livestock Arena
• 2-4 p.m.: Market hogs weighing, Swine Barn
• 5 p.m.: Midway opens
• 5-7 p.m.: 4-H demonstrations, hands-on activities, Thompson Hall
• 5:30 p.m.: Beautiful Bunny contest, Rabbit Barn
• 6 p.m., 8 p.m.: Lumberjack show
• 6 p.m.: Market lambs and showmanship, Livestock Arena
• 6 p.m.: Market steers, commercial heifers weighing, Beef Barn
Wednesday
• 10 a.m.: Gates open
• 10 a.m.-9 p.m.: Free petting zoo
• 4 p.m.: Beef showmanship, commercial heifers, breeding beef judging followed by market steer judging, Junior Livestock Arena
• 5 p.m.: Midway opens
• 5-7 p.m.: 4-H demonstrations, hands-on activities, Thompson Hall
• 6 p.m., 8 p.m.: Lumberjack show
Thursday
• Senior Citizen Day: 62 or older admitted free, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 10 a.m.: Gates open
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Free petting zoo
• Noon: Open beef livestock entries in place, Livestock Barn
• 5 p.m.: Midway opens
• 5-7 p.m.: 4-H demonstrations, hands-on activities, Thompson Hall
• 6 p.m., 8 p.m.: Lumberjack show
• 6:30 p.m.: 4-H and FFA Livestock auction, Livestock Arena
Friday
• 10 a.m.: Gates open
• 10 a.m.-9 p.m.: Free petting zoo
• 10 a.m.: Open beef show, Livestock Arena
• 5 p.m.: Midway opens
• 5-7 p.m.: 4-H demonstrations, hands-on activities, Thompson Hall
• 6-9 p.m.: Fun on the Farm, Thompson Hall
• 6:30 p.m.: Ladies and Gents Lead, Sheep Barn
• 7 p.m.: Livestock Beauty Pageant, Livestock Arena
• 7 p.m., 9 p.m.: Lumberjack show
• 7-9 p.m.: Four-Wheeler Rodeo, Rodeo Arena
• 8 p.m.: Sheriff’s police dog demonstration, Livestock Arena
• 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m.: Midnight Madness, $20 armbands with Pepsi can
Saturday
• 9 a.m.: Gates open
• 9 a.m.: Youth Dog Show, Livestock Arena
• 9 a.m.: Horseshoe Pitching Contest, Rodeo Arena
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Dutch Oven cook-off, Front Gate
• 10 a.m.-9 p.m.: Free petting zoo
• 11 a.m.: Adult sheep showmanship, Livestock Arena
• Noon: Midway opens
• Noon: Round Robin Showmanship, Livestock Arena
• 3-6 p.m.: Kids Fest, Livestock Arena
• 3 p.m.: Farmhand Olympics, Livestock Arena
• 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.: Lumberjack Show
• 7 p.m.: Youth Talent Contest
• 7 p.m.: L.J. Jenkins Bull Riding Tour, Rodeo Arena
Source: Staff report
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.
NW News on 08/18/2019