WASHINGTON CO. FAIR ATTENDANCE DOWN SLIGHTLY FROM LAST YEAR
Despite several threatening nights of weather, people still turned out in full for the 150th Washington County Fair.
According to the Fair Association, the fair this year was slightly down in attendance from last year’s. This year’s fair had a total paid attendance of 46,936, compared to 47,522 in 2017.
The opening weekend and Tuesday of the Fair had free attendance, so there are no attendance numbers for those days.
Wednesday’s opening night had 10,289 attendees come out, above last year’s 9,124. Thursday was slightly above last year’s attendance, with 8,159 guests compared to 7,951 a year ago. Friday was down from last year’s attendance of 13,002, at 10,278 this year. Saturday’s crowd saw an increase over 2017, with 18,210 people to last year’s 17,445.
(Ken Murray)
Festivities kicked off Wednesday, with the crowning of Hanna Warmke of Washington County 4-H as the Fair Queen. The Junior and Little Mr. and Miss winners were also announced Wednesday.
This year’s Junior Mr. and Miss were Kord Mikolajchak and Lauren Hook, with the Little Mr. and Miss as Eli Joseph Merkley and Charlie Ann Alford. Wednesday night also featured entertainment from Dale Watson and Gary P. Nunn.
Thursday’s Junior Livestock Auction saw an emotional moment, as Kelby Jasinski’s Barrow sold for $61,000, with dozens of contributors to the purchase. Jasinski was represented by his classmates and Burton 4-H members at the auction. Jasinski, a Burton High School student and aspiring firefighter, died in July in a traffic accident in Caldwell County.
Also at the Livestock Auction, Grand Champions brought in $54,000, with Reserve Champions selling a total of $39,750. Two records were broken—one for the Grand Champion Barrow of Natalie Hodde, which sold for $11,500, and the Reserve Champion Rabbits of Emmy Boyd, selling for $7,500.
Friday at the Fair, 38 special needs kids took part in the Champion Drive Livestock Show, with 75 4-H or FFA volunteer buddies. The program gives special needs kids and their families an opportunity to experience the Washington County Fair. Emily Michalscheck and Allen Schwartz were selected as this year’s outstanding volunteer buddies.
Saturday rounded out the fair with the Little Wrangler Hay Hauling and Pet Show. This year, Stratton Scheffer and Mary Gajesky took home first place in Hay Hauling. In the Pet Show, Addie Sebastian won first place in Pedigree, with Rubie Russell earning first in non-Pedigree. Swayzee Schroeder took first in the costumed pet category, and overall showmanship went to Talia Abrams. The Fair concluded with performances from Robert Earl Keen and the Randy Rogers Band.
KWHI and KTEX-106's booth at the Fair raised $970 for CASA for Kids.