Founded in 1857, the Washington County Fair touts itself as “the largest and most established county fair in Arkansas.”
What their website fails to mention, though, is that it’s also the best place in town to win a gold plated, flaming skull “Skull & Fire” pocket knife packaged inside a matching red and black tin box. At least it was in 2006, when I was lucky enough to land a ring right over one on my first toss while playing what has got to be one of the funnest carnival sports in history – Knife Game.
Some go for the rides, others go for the funnel cakes. Not me. I go for Knife Game. Best $5 I spend all year.
The gates officially opened at 10 a.m. Tuesday and will continue to do so each day through Saturday, Sept. 4. For those wanting to get a head start, admission is only $1 Tuesday and that’s good for the entire day. Keep in mind, though, that the rides don’t start until 5 p.m. on the weekdays. Saturday, they’ll begin at noon.
2010 schedule of events
- Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010
- 10:00 a.m. – 2010 Washington County Fair Officially Opens
- 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – $1 Admission Day
- 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Fun on the Farm exhibit (Thompson Hall)
- 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Murphy Brothers Carnival Opens (Midway)
- 5:00 p.m. – How to prepare Fair Exhibits (Youth Building)
- 6:30 p.m. – Little People Ms. & Mr. Washington County Fair Beauty Pageant (Pauline Whitaker Arena)
- 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Live music with Papa Rap
- Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Students Admitted Free
- 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Fun on the Farm exhibit (Thompson Hall)
- 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Murphy Brothers Carnival Opens (Midway)
- 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Live music with Scott Miller & The Hitmen
- Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010
- 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Fun on the Farm exhibit (Thompson Hall)
- 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Murphy Brothers Carnival Opens (Midway)
- 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Livestock Buyers Dinner – open to exhibitors and buyers (Outside Stage)
- 6:30 p.m. – 4-H & FFA Livestock Auction (Livestock Arena)
- 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Live music with Jason Strode
- Friday, Sept. 3, 2010
- 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Fun on the Farm exhibit (Thompson Hall)
- 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. – Murphy Brothers Carnival Opens (Midway)
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Cake Decorating Demonstration (Youth Exhibit Building)
- 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Live music (TBA)
- Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Dutch Oven Cook-Off (Front Gate)
- 12:00 noon – 10:00 p.m. – Murphy Brothers Carnival Opens (Midway)
- 2:30 p.m. – Tractor Pull (South Side of Beef Barn)
- 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Live music with Benjamin Del Shreve
For more information about the Washington County fair including a full livestock and exhibitor schedule, head over to mywashingtoncountyfair.com or call 479-587-0847.
Washington County Fairgrounds
2356 N. McConnell Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72704
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