‘Something for everyone’: Washington County Fair kicking off Saturday
The Washington County Agricultural Fair – the oldest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania – is set to kick off Saturday with a packed schedule featuring agricultural exhibits, crafts, livestock shows, games, and high-octane entertainment.
Now entering its 228th year, the fair is the longest-running fair in the state of Pennsylvania.
“There’s entertainment, there’s something here for everyone,” said Wayne Hunnell, secretary of the Washington County Agricultural Fair Board at a Thursday press conference. “If you can’t find something you like here during that week for a $15 admission fee, I’m not sure what you’re looking for.”
The eight-day lineup of events spans 156 acres, five exhibit halls, 10 barns, and several arenas, tents, and grandstands.
Last year, the fair attracted more than 60,000 visitors, and according to the state Department of Agriculture, the 2024 fair had an estimated $23 million in economic impact, supporting more than 200 jobs with $8 million in earnings.
This year’s fair continues to honor Southwestern Pennsylvania’s deep farming roots, and will showcase nearly 2,000 animals, 2,600 agricultural exhibits, and more than 6,600 youth and craft displays.
All of that is in addition to iconic fair activities like rides, food, games and events such as the rodeo, horse and pony pull, demolition derby, motocross and more, plus plenty of live music and entertainment.
The primetime grandstand event on the fair’s first night will be the demolition derby – one of the fair’s most popular events. This year’s derby will feature a figure-eight track that loops the vehicles around two circles that intersect at the center.
The school bus demolition derby is slated for Wednesday, following the senior high band performances. It is, traditionally, the most-attended day of the fair.
“We have an exciting lineup scheduled for this year’s fair,” said the fair board’s Todd Richards. “It’s going to be a good time.”
The Washington County Fair also will include a monster truck show, which the fair board expects to draw large crowds Thursday night.
“Washington County commissioners Larry Maggi and Electra Janis, who attended the press conference, expressed excitement about the event.
“The fair has something for everybody. Tourism dollars are over $8 million a year that comes into Washington County. The fair brings a lot of people here; there are all kinds of events here that meet everyone’s needs,” said Maggi, who has attended the fair for at least 60 years.
Said Janis, “This brings people in from all across the state. Every day brings something different for everybody.”
The fairgrounds remain busy throughout the year. In 2024, the fairgrounds hosted 365 events and rentals, drawing an additional 74,000 visitors for a total combined attendance of more than 136,000 people.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum – named the Best Small Town Museum in the 2026 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards – will offer $5 admission during the fair week, and the museum’s trolleys will shuttle fairgoers to and from the fair.
Tickets for the fair can be purchased at washingtonfair.org or day-of at the fairgrounds.