146th WASHINGTON CO. FAIR CLOSES

  

Another Washington County Fair has come to an end and despite threatening weather throughout the fair; it’s being considered a big success.

Ashlyn Korth is crowned 2014 Fair Queen
Ashlyn Korth is crowned 2014 Fair Queen

The 146th edition of the oldest county fair in Texas got off to an auspicious start last Saturday with the cancellation of the fair parade.  However the opening ceremony Saturday night got things back on track.

Attendance numbers were up from last year, with attendance for the fair, totaling 46,048—compared to 39,110 for 2013 .  Saturday was as-usual, the biggest night for attendance, with 15,245 people—compared to 11,912 last year.  Friday night’s total attendance stands at 11,226. 

Ashlyn Korth was named Fair Queen and Haley Nutt was the runner-up.  The five candidates sold over 6,900 ticket for a total of $172,713—eclipsing last year’s total by over nine-thousand dollars.

The Junior Mr. and Miss were Kaden Stewart and Jordan Kelm.

The Little Mr. and Miss were Sterling Scheffer and Lilly Ann Kunkel.

Little Miss Lilly Ann Kunkel; Little Mr. Sterling Scheffer.
Little Miss Lilly Ann Kunkel; Little Mr. Sterling Scheffer.

Eight records fell at the Junior Livestock Auction, Thursday afternoon.  The top price was $22,500 paid for the Grand Champion Steer shown by Clayton Schwartz.  The Auction brought in a total of $762,000.

Friday night, the Commercial Heifer Sale brought in nearly one-and-a-half million dollars.

Building 429 headlined the "Faith and Family" Music night.
Building 429 headlined the "Faith and Family" Music night.

This year’s fair also included the first-ever Faith and Family Night with a large crowd turning out for the award-winning Christian music band Building 429, which was sponsored by a number of local churches.  Nearly 7,500 were on hand for Wednesday night’s events.

This year’s entertainment lineup included Texas bands like 1100 Springs, Two Tons of Steel, The Tejas Brothers and the Randy Rogers Band; as well as Texas icons Gary P. Nunn and Robert Earl Keen.

This was also the second and final fair for outgoing president Alan Winkelmann.  Pam Zwahr takes over as president for the 2015 and ’16 fairs.

 

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7 Comments

  1. It really bothers me to read all the negative comments. I was an exhibitor in the WCF for over 10 years, I am currently a committee member, and my child just participated in the WCF for the second year. I would have to agree that this year’s fair was a great success. Look at the dollar amounts of pre-sold season tickets by the queen candidates, look at the amount of money dontated by ours and surrounding communities, individuals and businesses to purchase the animals these kids have worked so hard to raise. Then there is the amount of ticket sales and day passes sold throughout the week, and the vendor booth rental fees. These are the things that the fair board views to determine the success of the fair, not the number of people you can “count” while standing a the beer barn, because lets be real, who does that. Let’s take into consideration that it rained almost every night of this years fair (which was quite the blessing as it was much needed). To have the amount of spectators there during those nights, yes the fair was a great success. There are close to 800 volunteers that give their time to help make this fair happen, so unless you are one of those 800 persons, I do not feel you have the right to speak so negatively about it. If you feel that strongly about something needing to “change”, join a committee, do something about it. Do not public bash the people that work countless hours to make this fair happen each year for the kids; let’s remember that what this fair is about, the youth of the community.

  2. I totally agree with the fair board needing a revamping!! And it will get one soon with the fair meetings about to happen!

  3. I showed in the fair about 10 years ago. I have family on committees. I think the fair entertainment needs to improve it’s lineup. I also think the heifer sale needs to be in a different facility why not the steer arena or if the auctions bring in so much money build a new facility. There are numerous people I talked with this year that did not attend the sale because of it being so crowded. Also does the fair board realize how many hours their committee men and women volunteer their time in preparing for the fair but what do they get out of it?? Besides being encouraged to buy a VIP pass for $75 and a parking pass for $25. The VIP pass includes supper each night for 2 and 2 drink passes per night. Why even have a VIP room? You are taking away from the food booths!! Why not give these men and women a $20 food booth voucher, just something showing the fair board appreciated their volunteer hours. I also think the fair presidents should know a little about fairs and have kids showing or that have previously showed; not talking about Alan.

  4. I think the fair was a big disappointment also this year with Wednesday night being a joke with the band ending at 8:30 and nothing coming on after that, and Thursday night I was there till midnight and you could count the number of people of your hands that were dancing. Just saying something needs to be done before it really goes down. I agree I think the board needs too look at whos in charge and get someone that knows something about FAIR and what brings the people out.

  5. To quantify the success of Christian night by the number of people who are at the beer stand seems a little “off”. Just saying……..

  6. I have often wondered why Washington County schools only close on Wednesday during fair week. In Austin County, they close on Thursday and Friday so kids don’t have to skip school to sell their animal in the auction. And they don’t have concerts on school nights either. I would have liked to see Building 429, but my kids had school the next day.

  7. For the fair association to state that this years fair is a huge success is something to laugh about. I have been attending the fair for 34 years now, (Tuesday – Saturday) and this years fair was disappointing. Yes the JLA brought good money for the kids, as well as the commercial heifer sale that brought 1.3 million dollars. (But the fair association doesn’t report that).

    The Christian night on Wednesday was a joke on attendance. When you can stand at the beer sale area, and count less than 250 people, it baffles me how that can be considered a large crowd. And then Thursday night was even less. You have to sit back and laugh at this and wonder WHEN the fair association is going to recognize this and decide to do something about it. It’s sad when surrounding counties can have a star packed line up with big named entertainers and we get laughed at constantly for ours.

    I can remember a time when Thursday through Saturday a person could barely walk through the concert area. Just curious if the fair will ever decide to spend the money and get those times back! I believe it’s time to revamp the fair board and who’s in charge! Doubtful but wishful thinking…………..

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