Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Experience the Washington County Fair: Virginia's Premier Agricultural Event
The Washington County Fair has been a cornerstone of community engagement and agricultural celebration since its founding in 1950. Originally conceived by local businessmen and farmers to highlight agriculture's vital role in Southwest Virginia, the fair has grown from a modest three-day event into a week-long showcase of livestock competitions, educational exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment. Over its 68-year history, the fair has expanded its facilities to include modern exhibition buildings, a dedicated livestock arena, and recreational spaces like the petting zoo and carnival. Our mission remains rooted in promoting agricultural education, supporting local agribusinesses, and fostering community spirit through events like the annual Burley Tobacco Festival and Farm Show.With a volunteer-driven leadership structure and a commitment to preserving rural traditions, we continue to innovate while honoring our heritage. The fairgrounds now host over 30,000 annual visitors, offering diverse programming from school tours to live music performances by nationally recognized artists. Our dedication to quality and community impact has earned recognition as Virginia's Best Overall Fair multiple times by the Virginia Association of Fairs. Today, we operate as a non-profit, non-stock organization governed by 19 appointed directors, ensuring our focus remains on serving the public rather than generating profit.
Services
Agricultural Exhibits
Livestock Competitions
Live Entertainment
Carnival Rides
Educational Programs
Details
- Year established: 1950
Highlights and features
- We offer 74 years of agricultural event expertise in Southwest Virginia
- Our volunteer leadership ensures community-focused programming and affordability
- We host Virginia's largest livestock competitions with 350+ annual exhibits
- Our facilities include modern exhibition spaces and year-round event rentals
- We've received multiple 'Best Overall Fair' awards from the Virginia Association of Fairs
What people say
Amazing community event
Great family-friendly atmosphere
Excellent livestock competitions
Nostalgic carnival rides
Educational school programs
Services
Agricultural Exhibits
Our agricultural exhibits showcase the best of local farming with crop displays, home economics competitions, and commercial vendor booths. Visitors can explore educational displays about modern farming techniques while enjoying traditional county fair competitions. The exhibits serve as both entertainment and educational resources for area schools and agricultural professionals.
Livestock Competitions
We host Virginia's premier livestock events featuring cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs. These competitions attract 4-H participants and professional breeders alike, with dedicated show rings and judging facilities. Our facilities support both youth development programs and professional agricultural showcases throughout the annual fair week.
Live Entertainment
The fair features nationally recognized musical acts across multiple stages, including country music stars and tribute bands. Our entertainment programming balances contemporary appeal with traditional values, offering both free stage performances and premium reserved seating options during the annual September festival.
Carnival Rides
Our midway attractions include modern carnival rides for all ages, from classic carousels to thrill rides. We offer discounted wristbands for unlimited rides during designated hours. The carnival area operates as both standalone entertainment and complement to our annual fair events.
Educational Programs
We provide structured educational experiences for local students with guided tours of agricultural exhibits and livestock facilities. These programs align with state curriculum standards while offering hands-on learning about rural industries. Special events include tractor safety demonstrations and farm-to-table educational sessions.
People
Kenneth Reynolds
President
Served as Fair President for multiple terms, overseeing facility expansions and programming growth. Instrumental in developing the Washington County Agriculture Training Center. Championed community engagement initiatives that increased attendance by 40% over five years.
Ed Blevins
Past President
Led the organization during its 68th anniversary year, implementing new traffic management systems and facility upgrades. Oversaw the successful 'All Roads Lead to Washington County Fair' theme campaign that enhanced regional visibility and participation.
Questions
When does the Washington County Fair occur annually?
The fair runs annually during the second week of September, with the 2025 dates set for September 8-13.
What special events occur during the fair week?
Highlights include livestock competitions, carnival rides, live music performances, educational exhibits, and the historic Burley Tobacco Festival and Farm Show.
Are there educational opportunities for school groups?
Yes, we offer structured school tours with agricultural education components, including livestock demonstrations and farm-related curriculum activities.
What entertainment options exist beyond agricultural exhibits?
The fair features live music from national artists, carnival rides, special events like tractor pulls, and family-friendly attractions like the petting zoo.
How can I participate in livestock competitions?
Participants can register for livestock shows through our online portal, with categories available for both youth (4-H) and adult exhibitors.
What facilities are available for private events?
The fairgrounds offer multiple buildings and outdoor spaces for rent, including exhibition halls and event spaces accommodating up to 5,000 sq. ft.
Reviews (4)
Ashley Hyatt
Oct 04, 2021
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It was way way smaller than I'd ever dreamed or heard of. You heat about it all the time on the radio and places never dreamed that there would only really be like maybe 3 or 4 depending on the person size from them!! Not me adult rides which them only 3...and that's ridiculous the rest is stuff like jumping thong in the Johnson city mall I mean come on! There a few games and we played throw rings on the spinning knives and we got 3 but he gave them to us and they are not the same knife you ring. They are extremely cheap! Very disappointing but my 8 yr old said she had fun and I'm extremely happy
Amanda Montague
Sep 27, 2021
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Had a blast taking the kids. Thought I was going to see Dwayne throw-up. Extremely expensive 12$ funnel cake just saying.
Lucas Bates
Sep 23, 2021
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Lots of great events at the fair this year, but we had nowhere to watch the truck pull due to lack of seating. They should build more bleachers to accommodate bigger crowds and it would be five stars from me as everything else is great. It just put me off that after paying 20 dollars for two people's admission that we had to turn right around and leave since the truck pull was the only thing we came for.
Mac DeBusk
Sep 20, 2021
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Your experience at the Washington County Fairgrounds will vary depending on who's there and what event you're attending. The Washington County Fair is a very enjoyable experience with amusement rides, traditional fair activities like displays of local agriculture, and competitive events like the horse/tractor/truck pulls.
