Students lead their cows in the arena during the Holstein Show Saturday as part of the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Nearly 10,000 people attended the Washington County Fair on Labor Day weekend.

The parade ended near the entrance to the fairgrounds, where the official opening ceremonies took place at 11 a.m. Saturday, but the site had already been busy for a couple of days as 4-H and FFA members moved in their livestock and set up exhibits. While folks were watching the parade, some students were showing their animals in the arena.

Backyard Gang member Trenton McVey has been working with his market steer since March of 2024. At age 16, he’s a veteran of multiple fairs.

“I’ve been showing since I was 7 years old,” he said. “I just love working with animals.”

Frontier FFA member Tyce Dunn, also 16, was an exhibitor for the first time with his own market steer, though cattle are nothing new for him. His family has a cattle farm that’s “been passed down from my great-grandfather.”

Judge Sarah Kitchen speaks to participants in the Holstein Show Saturday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Dunn, too, has been working with his steer for more than a year, balancing the animal’s diet, setting traps for insects and moving the steer’s accommodations in the barn to deal with flooding.

Barlow residents Jim and Becky Woodruff sat watching the Holstein show Saturday morning, even though they’re a couple years removed from having children and grandchildren participating. Jim Woodruff said he still comes “to look at the cattle and meet the people.”

The fair opened for its third day at 8 a.m. on Labor Day with the 4-H pancake breakfast before the Dairy Feeder Show and Horse Show.

The crowd watched each group for the Junior Showmanship, Dairy Feeders, Pee Wee Showmanship and the Old Timers in the Multipurpose Building.

“Usually the tractor pulls are the main event but last night the rodeo really blew us out of the water, the grandstands were packed,” said Washington County Fair Board Treasurer Emily Griffin.

Trenton McVey, a member of the Backyard Gang 4-H group, dries his market steer in preparation for showing Saturday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

She said the weather usually plays a huge role in the attendance and the weekend weather couldn’t have been better. She said the weekend’s attendance was a success and they have reduced admission fees today to $8 and it’s free admittance for seniors 65 and up.

“It’s always so hot so we decided to create an air conditioned place for people to eat at,” she said. “We were also able to house a lot more concessionaires this year so we have about 25 food trailers out there.”

She said each year the board will evaluate what was a success and what they needed to work on. Parking was the main issue so she said they’re already working on a plan for next year.

“Overall, I think everything has gone pretty well,” said Griffin, thanking the community for its help in making the fair run smoothly.

Labor Day concluded with the demolition derby, music and the square dance with events beginning today at 1 p.m. with the Junior Fair Livestock Sale.

Frontier FFA members Tyce Dunn, left, and Caelynn Beagle wash Dunn’s market steer Saturday in preparation for showing at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

A pair of goats take in the sights of the Washington County Fair from their pen Saturday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Contestants present their dairy cows during the Dairy Feeder Show in the Multipurpose Building on Labor Day. Each cow was judged based on its specific features like size and demeanor. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Dairy cows line the entrance of the Multipurpose Building for the Dairy Feeder Show at the Washington County Fair on Labor Day. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Outside of the Multipurpose Building are a variety of goats and other farm animals waiting their turn for a showmanship title at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

There are a handful of kids who showed their horse at the Horse Show during Labor Day at the Washington County Fair. The riders play a game of Simon Says and the horses follow each command in the game. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The riders play a game of Simon Says during the Horse Show at the Washington County Fair on Labor Day. The riders direct their horses and anyone who doesn’t follow each command is out. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Attendees at the Washington County Fair watch the Horse Show as each horse follows the commands of their riders. (Photo by Amber Phipps)