NEW-LOOK WASHINGTON CO. FAIR BEGINS FRIDAY
The oldest county fair in the state of Texas gets underway tomorrow (Friday), although it will take on a much different look than previous years.
(Mark Whitehead)
The 152nd Washington County Fair is only taking place as a youth exhibitor event this year, with no entertainment lineup, no carnival, no fair parade, and no Fair Queen’s crowning. However, the number of livestock exhibitors and entries is still up compared to last year, with approximately 463 exhibitors slated to show 1,356 projects.
Activities begin tomorrow with the first round of judging for Youth Country Creations projects at 9:30 a.m. and the rabbit sift at 5 p.m. Activities will continue daily through September 19th using a spread-out schedule in order to limit the number of exhibitors and spectators at the fairgrounds at any given time. A majority of animals will be taken home from the fairgrounds after their shows and brought back after their sale.
Click here to see the previously released fair show schedule.
Fair President Dean Luetge said while it is disappointing to not have the full slate of fair activities accompanying the livestock shows and sales, many families have expressed their gratitude for the ability to simply show their animals.
Luetge said all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be enforced. Hand sanitizer stations and masks will be made available, and attendees will be asked to socially distance.
The livestock auction, scheduled for September 18th at 2 p.m., will also look different from past years as it will be held at Silver Wings Ballroom to allow for extra space and a new virtual element.
Through the new online options provided by Cattle in Motion, the auction will allow for in-person and online bidders. The Washington County Fair website will link to the Cattle in Motion website for the shows and sales.
Luetge asks families who do come to watch their loved ones’ projects to be courteous and mindful of others, and move on when their child has finished showing to let other groups come in.
For a full schedule of events or for more information, visit www.washingtoncofair.com. KWHI and KTEX-106 will be at the fairgrounds throughout the fair, providing live updates daily and results from shows as they come in.