Washington County Fair Opens Sept. 1

This time of year brings to mind carnival rides, cows, sheep and pigs, cotton candy and corn dogs, canned foods and quilts. It's county fair time.

The 158th annual Washington County Fair is set for Sept. 1-5 with front gates opening at 10 a.m. and side gates opening at 7 a.m. Gate admission is $5 for ages 6 and older. Wednesday, Sept. 2, is Group/School day and school and church students will be admitted free until 3 p.m. Senior Citizen Day is Thursday and those 62 or older will be admitted free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other special events include Two Dollar Tuesday on Sept. 1. Gate fee is $2 and rides are $2 each with a canned food item. Midnight Madness is Friday and an armband for the midway rides costs $20 with a Pepsi can from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Armbands are $20 with a Pepsi can from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for Sizzling Saturday.

One event that has been popular in the past, pig races, will not be at the fair this year. The venue already had a previous engagement.

Livestock judging takes place during the day on Tuesday-Thursday so visitors can stop by the livestock arena to see many animals being judged, including dairy goats, dairy cattle, breeding sheep, poultry, commercial heifers and market hogs.

The annual Washington County Fair Pageant will feature girls ages 0-21 years and will take place 3 p.m. Aug. 29 at Prairie Grove High School. Last year's queen, Bethany Miller, will give up her title to the 2015 queen prior to the start of the fair. Susanna Luther of Farmington was crowned 2014 Teen Miss Washington County and will be on hand to relinquish her title.

On the last day, gates will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and highlights include a youth dog show at 9 a.m. in the livestock arena, Dutch Oven Cook-Off 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, and a Junior Beef Showmanship followed by grooming competition at 12 p.m. at the Livestock arena.

Later at 6 p.m., the annual youth talent contest will take place on the outside stage. The Bull Buck Out starts at 7 p.m. in the riding arena.

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 to 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.