It's that time again when everything from livestock to canned foods to quilts are judged and the many exhibitions enjoyed; when carnival rides go up and down or round and round and adults and children stroll fair grounds in summer heat.
The 157th annual Washington County Fair is set for Aug. 26-30 with front gates opening at 10 a.m. and side gates opening at 7 a.m.
Daily schedules will include Livestock Show Day and students will be admitted free through 3 p.m. on Wednesday with Senior Citizens Day on Thursday when people 62 and older are admitted free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual Washington County Fair Pageant will feature girls ages 0-21 years and will take place Aug. 23 at 3 p.m. at Prairie Grove High School. Last year's queen, Mikaila Wilson of Fayetteville, will give up her crown to the new 2014 queen prior to the start of the fair.
Washington County Fair and three local radio stations will sponsor a Last Band Standing competition this year. The bands selected by the judges will perform on a selected night but a final vote will be decided by the audience on the Fair website and in the tradition of popular television singing programs, the band with the most votes will be the winner.
On the last day of the fair, Saturday, gates will open at 9 a.m and highlights include a Dutch Oven Cook-Off to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the front gate; a tractor pull from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the riding arena; a Junior Beef Showmanship followed by grooming competition 12 p.m. at the Livestock arena.
Later at 6 p.m. will be the popular Youth Talent Contest on the outside stage and Mutton Bustin at the riding arena followed by the Bull Buck-Out.
Billed as the No. 1 County Fair in Arkansas, the fair is located at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Visitors can take Interstate 49, get off at exit 66 to Highway 112, turn south onto North Garland -- at signal light turn right on West Drake, then follow curve onto McConnell Road and see the fairground on top of the hill.
Volunteers will be present and assist with parking. Washington County Fair Association does not charge for parking, nor does it encourage visitors to use paid parking lots set up by other organizations not associated with the fair.
Community on 08/20/2014