Step right up, Washita County, it’s fair time again! The 117th Washita County Free Fair kicks off this Wednesday, August 20th, and runs through Saturday, August 23rd. From prized produce to barnyard shenanigans, cowboy poetry to trap shooting, the fair promises four days of good old-fashioned fun.
Wednesday, August 20th, starts with entries rolling in with everything from agriculture and horticulture to flowers, crafts, 4-H projects, and more. Thursday, August 21st, is a full day for exhibitors and animal lovers. Rabbits and poultry take their turn with entries, while the exhibit building opens at 5:00 p.m. to showcase everything Washita County has to offer. At 5:30 p.m., the spotlight shines on the Washita County Free Fair Hall of Fame Announcement, followed by the always enjoyable Farm Bureau Barnyard Olympics at 6:30 p.m. Wrap up the evening with Cowboy Poetry by Laverne “Straw” Berry at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 22nd, keeps the action rolling with an OHCE Silent Auction at 9:00 a.m., a petting zoo hosted by the Custer Co. Horse Club, and some good old-fashioned Bingo at 5:00 p.m. Vendors open for business at 5:00 p.m. offering everything from permanent jewelry and boutique finds to homemade ice cream, breads, baked goods, handmade blankets, towels, wood carvings, and more. Outside, Jen’s Inflatables and The Last Straw will be ready for family fun, and food trucks will keep everyone happily fed. The evening brings pageant glitz and glamour with the Miss Washita County Pageant at 6:30 p.m. at the Cordell Public School Auditorium. For those more interested in livestock than tiaras, cattle entries and the cattle show follow later in the evening.
Saturday, August 23rd, promises to end the fair with a bang, or more accurately, a “Smokin’ Clays Invitational” trap shoot at the Cordell Gun Range beginning at 8:30 a.m. The fairgrounds will be packed with activities: food trucks, The Last Straw, a rock wall, a bungee trampoline, a mechanical bull, a bouncy castle, inflatable slides, a dunk tank, and more. Wristbands will be available for purchase for all the fun. Vendors return at 3:00 p.m., with live entertainment by musician Wesley Fite starting at 5 p.m. Exhibitors can pick up their entries between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., and the night closes out with the sheep, goat, and swine show under the outside arena lights before the final ribbon is tied on this year’s fair.
Whether you’re chasing blue ribbons, cheering on barnyard animals, or just there for the food and vendors, the Washita County Free Fair is a celebration of small-town fun at its finest. Bring the family and enjoy the weekend because after all, there’s nothing quite like the county fair!