75th Anniversary – Washington County Fair 2023 Wed. through sat., Aug. 9th-12th

Members of the Washington County Fair Association and Potosi Lions Club, the University Extension Council and 4H/FFA Clubs are currently working hard on the County Fairgrounds on Rt. 185 at the West edge of town in readiness for opening of the 75th Anniversary Annual Washington County Fair which is set for Wednesday, August 9th and continues nightly through Saturday, August 12th as always during the first full week of August.

The 75th Anniversary for the Washington County Fair will have some special celebrations and the Fair is pleased to recognize Old Mines for their 300th Anniversary. This is a year of a lot of great history and times to be remembered.

The 75th Anniversary Fair Week includes several activities:

Wed., Aug. 9th - Potosi Lions Club Talent Show open to Washington and surrounding counties. Xanthia McCaul is coordinating the Talent Show and has several entries already. It is always a great night that showcase local talent - both young and old.

Thurs., August 10th- 4H/FFA Cattle Show and Sale - A chance to support area youth as they learn ‘hands on’ about agriculture and business in Missouri. The youth have worked all Summer and even longer on their project animals that will be shown during the day on Thursday. The Sale of Champions is set for that evening at the Fair with a large number of buyers that show their support for the youth and their hard work.

A number of improvements have been made for County Fair 2023 and entertainment opportunities expanded where possible - Yes, again this year the County Fair promises to be a spectacular event you’ll remember.

The Fair will again feature the Unlimited Ride Wrist Bands which will sell for $20 each night and be good from 5 to 11 P.M. (Kiddies Day $10, 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.) Price does not include General Admission to the Fairgrounds.

Indoor and outdoor booths are again set to fill the fairgrounds for the 75th County Fair. Vendors, sponsors and supporters will offer information, products and novelty items. Along with the traditional Exhibit Hall premium items, historic displays and AgLand will also be featured in the Exhibit Hall.

Washington County Fair Association Officers for 2023 are Randy Fryman, President; John Higginbotham, Secretary; Mike Heflin, Treasurer; and Dr. Paul Villmer, Asst. Treasurer.

The local major entertainment attraction of the Summer season, the 2023 County Fair is set to get underway for its four night stand on Wednesday evening, August 9th at Potosi Lions Club Fairgrounds on Route 185 at the West edge of town and run consecutively Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 10th, 11th and 12th.

The 2023 75th Anniversary Fair is being co-sponsored by: GOLD LEVEL - Belgrade State Bank, Dickey Bub Farm & Home, Franklin Auto Sales, Great Mines Health Center, LaRue Spring Water, Pettus Automotive Group, Pharmax Pharmacy, Potosi Lions Club, Purcell Tire, Twin Eagle Lake Resort, The Independent-Journal, Unico Bank, Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Washington County Memorial Hospital; SILVER LEVEL - DeClue Funeral Home, First State Community Bank, Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan and Yondoo Broadband; BRONZE LEVEL - Edward Jones/Angela Momot, Harps, JayCee Dental, Jerry West Memorial Fund, Larry Heisel Rentals, Moore Funeral Homes and Save-A-Lot; and ASSOCIATE SPONSORS - Bauman Oil, Big River Broadband, Boyer Lumber Home & Hardware, Dairy Queen, Elliott Motor Company, HCJ Hauling, Jarvis Heating & Cooling, Raider Mechanical, Sinclair Florist, Sonic Drive-In and Southpaw Grafix.

Fair Board President Randy Fryman emphasized that the County Fair again offers entertainment for people of all ages with educational and commercial booths galore, exhibits, livestock, games, concessions, talent show, 4H/FFA steer & livestock auction, music, shows, kiddies day and even more.

Rides and midway are again being provided by PBJ Happee Days Shows. This year numerous mechanical rides will be on the grounds.

AgLand will be in the Exhibit Hall of the Fairgrounds, hosting a number of displays and interactive games and activities for youth.

The always popular Potosi Lions Club sponsored Talent Show is again on the County Fair program. It will provide opening night entertainment Wednesday, August 9th. $625 in prize money is being offered and the show for 2023 will be in five divisions- Prizes are to be $75 First, $30 Second and $20 Third in each division of competition.

Thursday, August 10th, the schedule will again feature livestock judging; 4-H Steer Show and Livestock, etc. Sale.

Friday night, August 11th, the County Fair entertainment will feature music shows by Hunter Hathcoat at 7 p.m. and then Phil Vandel on the Twin Eagle Stage at 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 12th will feature Kiddies Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and evening music shows by local favorite ‘Medallion’ at 7 P.M. and ‘Fast Times’ playing decades of rock and roll at 9 P.M.

Wed., August 9th

The Swine, Lamb and Goat Judging will get underway Wednesday at 8 A.M. and the Rabbit and Poultry Judging will be at 4 P.M. in the Barn.

The ever-popular Potosi Lions Club Talent Show will be the featured program on the opening night of County Fair 2023 on Wednesday, August 9th starting at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday night admission is set at $7. A Season Pass is available for $24 at all area banks (until Aug. 1st).

Some $625 in prize money is being offered in five classes of competition. Prizes include $75 First, $30 Second, $20 Third in each division.

The event is open to entries from Washington and adjoining Counties.

To enter or for more information individuals are to contact Xanthia McCaul at 573/436-8051. Deadline is 5 P.M. Friday, Aug. 4th. You may email to washcomofair@gmail.com.

The line-up for the five Divisions in the Talent Show will include Division 1- Dance & Hobbies - all ages; Division 2 - Singing Youth (Ages 1-9); Division 3: Singing Youth (Ages 10-17); Division 4: Singing Adult and Division 5: Instruments.

Contestants must be non-professional; Contestants may enter only once; Each act is limited to five minutes and  contestant is to provide their own music recording.

Thursday, August 10th

Feed & Farm Night

Thursday’s activities at the fair will lead off with livestock judging, Beef Show at 8 A.M. Thursday, August 10th. The annual 4H/FFA Steer Show features area club members and their project animals. The 4H/FFA Livestock Auction will get underway at 6:30 P.M. Thursday. Open bidding for 4H/FFA Steers, Market Hogs, Lambs, Goats, Chickens, Other Poultry, Cured Meat, etc.

Thursday night admission will be $7. Season Passes are available for $24 until Saturday, July 29th.

Friday, August 11th

Washington County Fair Association President Randy Fryman has announced that music on the Twin Eagle Stage will feature country music artist Hunter Hathcoat at 7 p.m. and then Phil Vandel at 9 p.m.

Friday’s admission is just $10.

‘Kiddies Day’

Saturday, Aug. 12th

The traditional County Fair Kiddies Day will be Saturday, August 12th. Unlimited ride wrist bands will be $10 each 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. and Admission is Free to the Fairgrounds.

Numerous attendance prizes donated by area businesses and individuals will be awarded at the close of the afternoon.

Food and refreshment stands and some booths will be open.

Saturday, August 12th

Washington County Fair Association President Randy Fryman has announced that music on the Twin Eagle Stage will feature local rock’n roll favorite ‘Medallion’ at 7 p.m. and rock’n roll music’s Fast Times.

Saturday’s gate admission is still just $10.

Free Parking

There will not be any charge for parking of autos again this year at the Fair. General Admission Fee will be $7 on Wednesday and Thursday nights and $10 Friday and Saturday. A Season Pass may be purchased for $24 from Belgrade State Bank, First State Community Bank, Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan, Unico Bank and The Independent-Journal until Mon., July 31st or for $28 Aug. 1st through opening night at the parking lot gate.

Children 9 years of age and under will be admitted free.

Fair Premium Program

A variety of cash premiums are being offered in Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Swine, 4-H Clubs, Home Economics, Floriculture, Agriculture and Horticulture Products Divisions, etc. Premiums will be paid in cash Saturday night or Monday evening as display items are picked up.

Enter Exhibits Tuesday

Items being entered for premium judging are to be received Tuesday afternoon, August 8th, 3 to 7 P.M. (Livestock Wednesday, August 9th by 8 A.M.) Items may be picked up after 11 P.M. Saturday, August 12th with the assistance of attendant or 6 to 7 P.M. Monday evening, August 14th. (Not responsible for items left after that time.)

BE THERE!!- Enjoy a variety of family fun - The 75th Annual Washington County Fair, one of the area’s longest running late Summer Spectaculars themed “75 Years of Fair Fun - Memories of the Past and in to the Future” for 2023.

SEE YA THERE!!!