Last summer, more than 3,600 Washington County residents signed this petition to protect the fair, because you saw what was being lost.

Since then, many of us have continued to watch closely.

And the reality is: nothing meaningful has changed. It’s no longer a slow drift. It’s accelerating toward the same outcome.

The fair continues to shift toward a more commercial model, while its agricultural roots, 4-H, FFA, livestock, and hands-on experiences are being pushed further to the margins. It’s what many are beginning to recognize as the “slow death of the Washington County Fair.”

This isn’t just about one event. It’s about whether our kids, our farms, and our rural traditions still have a place here.

The county directly oversees the fairgrounds and appoints the leadership that shapes how the fair operates. Those decisions influence everything, from facilities to programming to how youth and agriculture are represented.

If you haven’t read it yet, this article lays it out clearly:
https://medium.com/@wacofair/the-slow-death-of-the-washington-county-fair-2e18f7e3111a

With county commissioner elections coming up, this matters more than people might realize. The people elected will directly shape what the fair becomes in the years ahead.

As you look into the candidates, consider where they stand on preserving the fair’s agricultural roots, supporting 4-H and FFA, and ensuring rural voices are part of the conversation. From what we’ve seen so far, Ayla Hofler is the only candidate who lives in rural Washington County and has spoken clearly about these issues, particularly the need to preserve the fair’s agricultural roots, bringing a rural perspective to the table.

We encourage everyone to do their own research, ask questions, and take a close look at where each candidate stands.

👉 If you still care about the future of the fair, please:

• Share this update on Facebook to get it back in front of the community
• Share it with friends, neighbors, and your community 
• Stay informed as the election approaches
• Keep speaking up

More than 3,600 of you have already shown how much you care.

What happens next will shape the future of the fair.