Aug 9, 2026 4 min read

Long before the trailers of livestock roll onto the fair- grounds, before the scent of funnel cakes and corndogs lace the air, a team of organizers and volunteers have been working for months on making this year’s fair the event of the summer. And once the last visitor has passed through the gates and the midway lights turn off, planning for next year’s fair is underway.

“As soon as this fair is over, we’re already starting to look at next year’s fair,” says Wayne Hunnell, secretary of the Washington County Agricultural Fair Board.

Technically, it starts even before that, because some of the contracts for food vendors and entertainers are signed up to two or three years in advance. Executing an 8-day lineup of agricultural competition, livestock shows, thrill rides, games, and entertainment, across 156 acres, five exhibit halls, ten barns, and multiple arenas, tents, and grandstands, is a feat of organization, collaboration, and a dedicated team working behind the scenes.

This year’s fair is no exception, and the fair board is excited to welcome back the community to the fairgrounds once again. The fair board has been working to tweak the entertainment lineup so that visitors can plan their visits around their favorite traditions and new additions.

The primetime grandstand event on the first evening of the fair (Saturday, August 15) is the demolition derby, which always draws the biggest fair crowds. That evening’s derby attendees will see a slightly different format from previous years, with a figure-8 track that loops the vehicles around two circles that intersect at the center, adding an extra element of thrill to the fair’s most popular event.

The school bus demolition derby takes place on Wednesday evening and always draws huge crowds, eager to watch the behemoth buses crash into each other and kick up dust. The derby follows the Senior High band performances, and the day is historically the most attended day of the fair.

Sunday’s grandstand show is the rodeo, which was introduced two years ago and has become a tremendous success, with attendance rates almost as high as the demolition derby. This year will mark the addition of the women’s rodeo to the mix, and rodeo fans are already excited to see what the Lady Broncs can do.

The Washington County Fair hasn’t had a monster truck show in recent years due to logistical concerns, but the fair board is excited to bring them back this year. Hunnell says he is expecting the event to draw large crowds on Thursday evening at the grandstand.

If you prefer something a little easier on the ears than clashing metal and revving engines, the county fair is a great place to discover new music. Most of this year’s fair music lineup is new, with a few returning favorites. Morgan Gruber, previous American Idol contestant (2022) and local country singer, will be back to grace the stage with her guitar and twangy vocals on Monday night. AC and the Resistors will also return, bringing timeless rock and roll and blues hits to the stage on Friday evening.

New groups include Josie Salvitti (Sunday), Stampede (Tuesday), Coal Fire Run (Wednesday), Zucco’s Bubblegum Band (Thursday), and Z Town Street Band (last Saturday). You can find these musical acts at the Dollar Bank-sponsored Nadene Gardner Show Tent. The fair’s youngest patrons will find countless activities on the fairgrounds to keep them busy through-out the week. The Rock n’ Roll Kids Pet Show will be back with singer/songwriter and children’s entertainer Mike Zaffuto and his crew of adorable companions. This charming magic show occurs daily and features original music, puppets, and live animals.

New to the fair this year is the Foam Fun Zone and Thrill Show. The thrill show includes daring acrobats and high-wire acts. In the Foam Fun Zone, foam machines will blast out bubbly fun for kids to play in. This combination show will run twice a day at the Nadene Gardner Show Tent.

Whether you’re excited for the thrill and noise of the demolition derby or prefer a calmer evening with live music and your favorite concessions, there’s something for everyone at this year’s fair.

For more information about the fair schedule, visit washingtonfair.org/fair-schedule/.

Sponsored content brought to you by the Washington County Agricultural Fair.