For generations, the Washington County Fair has been a cherished gathering place where families connect with agriculture, youth learn valuable life skills through 4-H and FFA programs, and our community celebrates its farming heritage. But today, our fair is in serious jeopardy.

The fair we knew and loved—the fair where kids could lead their animals to the show ring, where friends could help wash a pig or pet a goat, where the excitement of horse shows and draft horse exhibitions filled the air—is disappearing. Instead, Washington County has transformed the fair into a commercial event center, sidelining the very agricultural traditions that make it unique.

Here’s what has happened:

• The beloved rodeo arena, home to tractor pulls, draft horse shows, and other iconic events, was demolished and replaced by the Wingspan Event Center—a large, commercial venue with little connection to fair traditions.
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  The horse barns were removed and never replaced, forcing our county’s 4-H horse program to move their events to another county. These kids are now excluded from the rest of the fair and all the fun that comes with it.
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  The central buildings that once housed 4-H exhibits and a covered stage for youth fashion shows and presentations were torn down, and the 4-H exhibits were moved to a back room in the Wingspan building, hidden behind rows of commercial booths.
• 
  Livestock show rings have been squeezed out of the central fair area and tucked between barns, often only visible from two sides, making it difficult for fairgoers to even know they exist.
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  Excessive biosecurity rules, including mandatory foot spraying and restricted access, have isolated animals and youth exhibitors behind fences, blocking public interaction that was once a cornerstone of the fair experience.
• 
  4-H and FFA youth can only enter the fairgrounds through two highly secured gates with strict, inconvenient protocols—rules created by distant bureaucrats with no meaningful input from the very volunteers and leaders who have nurtured this fair for decades.
• 
  The Fair Boosters, long-time supporters who fought to keep the fair true to its roots, were forced out, silencing the voices of those who know what a real fair should be.

We believe this must change.

We call on Washington County to:

1. Rein in the excessive biosecurity measures and align fair animal safety protocols with those at the Oregon State Fair, where the public can safely interact with animals and exhibitors without fear or overbearing restrictions. The mandatory foot spraying rule must be eliminated.
2. 
   Restore public access to animals and shows by relocating show rings back to the central south lawn, where 4-H and FFA youth can engage openly with fairgoers and proudly showcase their hard work.
3. 
   Adjust the fair schedule so that the fair is open during all 4-H and FFA shows, allowing the public to attend and experience these incredible events.
4. 
   Welcome back the Washington County 4-H horse program by providing suitable equestrian facilities, including at least two show arenas, one large and preferably covered, so these youth can participate fully in the fair community.
5. 
   Give agricultural community members real say in setting fair rules and policies. 4-H leaders, FFA advisors, superintendents, volunteers, and farm families who have cared for this fair for generations must have a seat at the table.
6. 
   Restore the infrastructure that brings a fair to life—barns, livestock areas, a covered stage for youth presentations, and exhibit buildings where young people can display their talents and projects for all to see.

The Washington County Fair is more than an event—it’s a vital tradition that teaches responsibility, showcases youth achievement, and connects our community to the land and to each other. Without swift action, we risk losing the soul of our fair forever.

Join us in demanding that Washington County bring back the true spirit of the fair—one where agriculture, youth, and community come first. Sign this petition to save our fair.