We've got non-stop action in the Motorsports Arena again this year!  
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Don't forget - Spectators' admission to Motorsports Events is included with admission!  Stay tuned for more info!

The 2019 Washington Town & Country Fair Parade will be held on Sunday, August 4, at 4:00 p.m.  Applications for entries are available at the Chamber of Commerce at 323 West Main Street, Washington or on our PARADE page.  There is a $100 entry fee for businesses and a $25 entry fee for non-profit organizations.  Applications are due by June 21 to avoid an additional late fee of $50.    The parade route and staging area will remain the same as 2018. 
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Float judging will take place prior to the parade and winning entries will have a sign to display during the parade.  Prizes will be awarded as follows 1st place- $225.00 & trophy, 2nd place- $175.00 & trophy, and 3rd place- $125.00 & trophy.
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For more information, please call Brittany at the Chamber of Commerce Office (636-239-2715) or e-mail parade@washmofair.com.  

Ticket pricing...  It's no fun for us, it's no fun for you.  We get it.  In fact, since our Fair Board and Staff also purchase tickets to attend the fair, we are all aware of the impact pricing has on fairgoers.  Decisions to increase prices are not taken lightly, and are made with every effort to balance the long-term sustainability of our event with a price that doesn't discourage fairgoers from attending.

This year, we did have to increase the prices for Adult and Child Season Passes, as well as for the Family 4-Pack.  Although we do our best to avoid them, sometimes ticket price increases are necessary.  We will offer a number of season ticket discounts in the months leading up to the Fair, and our Queen Contestants will offer a $5 discount on sales in June & July.  Promotion details will be posted to social media and sent to our e-newsletter subscribers.

We speak and post often about how seriously we take our obligation of providing a quality fair, with something for everyone.  We LOVE this aspect of the fair - being able to provide 5 amazing days full of memories and fun, lessons and opportunity!  Additionally, our fair makes an equally important impact on our community, with ripples that continue through the rest of the year and far into the future. 

For instance:  The local economic impact of our Fair has topped the $1 million mark for nearly two decades!  That is money pumped into our local economy through scholarships, premiums to exhibitors, the purchase of supplies, and donations to organizations, who in turn, use those funds for more improvements and contributions in our area!  For many of those organizations, the donations (received in exchange for volunteer service) make up a significant percent of their annual revenue.  Without the Fair, organizations suffer, and our community suffers, which is why we are committed to keeping this Fair going for another 90 years (and more!).  We want you (and your children and grandchildren!) right here with us as we continue this amazing Washington tradition.

Keeping our fair sustainable into the future requires more than breaking even each year.  Like any business, organization, or family, we need to keep a savings account for unexpected expenses.  And of course, since you just never know about Missouri weather, we also try to keep a "rainy day" (or maybe "thunderstorm" or "hot and humid") fund.   It's important to be prepared so our Fair can continue to deliver the experiences our fairgoers know and love, even after a year or two of unfortunate weather.  

This has been a long (sorry, I'm passionate about this! ) way of saying:  

​"We know you don't like ticket increases, but we are trying to cover our ever-growing expenses while still having a bit of money left to invest in the Fair's future, and our community's well-being.  Thank You for joining us for an annual week of fun and a lifetime of impact.  We could not do this without you!"​

Looking for a way to treat your employees or clients to an even better evening at the Fair?  Bid on the Upper Deck Experience at the Chamber Banquet - March 16.

The Upper Deck Experience package includes VIP treatment for 16 guests at the West Build-a-Bar by the Main Stage.  Enjoy a great view of the concert from the bar roof while being treated to complimentary drinks!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2019 Washington Town & Country Fair Queen Contest.  The Fair Queen Contest is a summer-long program that includes activities such as Contestant/Sponsor Luncheon, “A Day of Professionalism”, “A Day in Washington”, Run/Walk, and Parade.  The Queen Contest Sponsors also underwrite four scholarships totaling $4,750, which are awarded to the Queen, 1st and 2nd Runner up, and Miss Congeniality.
 
“I think the Queen Sponsorship is one of the most valuable sponsorships we offer.  It’s a ton of exposure before and during the fair,” said Fair Manager Jennifer Giesike.  “Plus, it’s an excellent way to invest in some of the bright young ladies in our community.”
 
The sponsorship is $550 and includes the following benefits:

• Name printed in 3,000 Fair catalogs.
• Name printed in 30,000 "Washington Missourian" newspaper supplements
• Name printed in the thank-you ad in the “Washington Missourian” following the Fair
• Announcements during the Queen Contest, including logo on Main Stage video screen.
• Publicity releases to local media.
• Sign in the parade mentioning sponsor’s name.
• Contestant/Sponsor Lunch
• Four (4) VIP Seating Passes for night of Queen Contest.
• Logo/Ad in 2,000 Queen Programs to be distributed the night of Queen Coronation
• Recognition of sponsorship at Chamber Banquet.

 
Interested businesses should contact Tammy at the Chamber Office (636-239-2715 x105, tadragna@washmo.org).  Sponsors that have committed by Friday, March 15 will be announced at the Chamber Banquet on Saturday, March 16.

Have you always dreamed of walking across the stage at the Fair in the Queen Contest?  It's time to sign up!

Eligibility:

• US Citizen
• Female
• Resident of Franklin or adjoining county
• Resident of Missouri for no fewer than six months (as of 7/15/19)
• High School Graduate
• No more than 22 years old (as of 9/1/19)
• Single

Prizes:

• Queen - $2,500 scholarship
• First Runner-Up - $1,000 scholarship
• Second Runner-Up - $750 scholarship
• Miss Congeniality - $500 scholarship

The Queen Contest Committee has scheduled activities for all the contestants including a Contestant/Sponsor Luncheon, “A Day of Professionalism”, “A Day Washington”, Run/Walk, and Parade.

 Ways to Sign Up:

• Stop by the Chamber Office
• Call Tammy at the Chamber Office (636-239-2715 x105)
• E-mail Tammy
• ​Fill out our online form

Plans are underway for the Washington Town & Country Fair Parade, scheduled for Sunday, August 4.  Each year, a Grand Marshal and Honor Group are selected to lead the parade.  Last year, the Parade Committee developed a process for members of the community to submit nominations for Grand Marshal and Honor Group.  Nominations are now being sought for this year’s parade.  The awards are designed to recognize an outstanding individual (Grand Marshal) and organization (Honor Group) that better our community through service, leadership, and volunteerism.
 
Nomination forms are available here or at the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 323 West Main Street.  Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2019.  Completed forms can be returned to the Chamber Office or e-mailed to office@washmofair.com.

Market Steers and Dairy Cows to be entered in the 2019 Washington Town & Country Fair will be tagged on Saturday, February 16, 2019, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  A snow date of February 23, 2019 has been set if weather does not permit tagging to take place on February 16.  If necessary, cancellation due to weather will be announced on the our website  and Facebook page.  Information will also be provided to KLPW and The Missourian.  The tagging will be held at the Livestock Pavilion at the Washington City Park Fairgrounds.  Exhibitors will be allowed to tag two market steers or dairy cows, but may only enter one.  Market steer weight at fair time must be 1,000 to 1,450 lbs.

​More info available in Exhibitor E-mail.

Applications are now available for the Washington Town & Country Fair Livestock Scholarship.  At least 2 - $500.00 college scholarships will be awarded.  These scholarships are funded 100% by the exhibitors themselves from a 1% deduction in all Blue Ribbon Auction checks.  Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce office or on our website. 
 
Applicants must be seniors in high school and must have exhibited livestock of any species, market or breeding, at the Washington Town & Country Fair at some time before their senior year.  Applicants must also be residents of Franklin or an adjoining county.
 
Applications must be returned to the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce – 323 W Main Street, Washington MO 63090, or e-mailed to office@washmofair.com no later than Sunday, March 31, 2019.