(File Photo) Students lead their cows in the arena during the Holstein Show in September of 2024 as part of the Washington County Fair.

The Washington County Agricultural & Mechanical Association announced that the 2027 Washington County Fair will be held July 12-17, moving the event from its traditional Labor Day weekend schedule.

According to a press release from the Fair Board, the change was approved to make the fair more accessible for families, youth exhibitors and visitors.

“We’re excited to bring our beloved county fair into a new part of the summer,” Fair Board President Ron Offenberger said in the release. “By shifting to July 12-17, we hope families can plan ahead, youth exhibitors can enjoy more of their summer, and our vendors and partners can take advantage of a great window for attendance and participation.”

The release said the shift to July reduces competition with nearby county fairs, which can open more opportunities to secure ride companies, entertainers and vendors. The timeframe also aligns better with 4-H and FFA exhibitors’ livestock project schedules and allows additional days for events, potentially easing the pace for exhibitors, volunteers and attendees.

The board noted in the release that moving the fair may also strengthen collaboration with tourism partners in Marietta by creating a mid-summer event.

(File Photo) Judge Sarah Kitchen spoke to participants in the Holstein Show in September of 2024 at the Washington County Fair.

All registrations — including those for exhibitors, vendors, camping and grandstand events — will follow the new July timeline, the release said. Traditional attractions such as the annual parade, grandstand shows, agricultural exhibits and youth livestock shows will remain central to the fair.

Ohio State University Extension Educator for 4-H Youth Development Bruce Zimmer said the new dates will require adjustments to the 4-H calendar.

“It’s going to affect our 4-H calendar, so we will have to do some shuffling of our 4-H camp and summer 4-H activities that normally we would have during probably June, July and August,” Zimmer said. “We’ll just have to be considering how we’re going to do those things that we have been doing in the past.”

Zimmer said announcing the change early will help families plan for livestock projects.

“The Fair Board made a wise decision in announcing it early, because that gives time for the livestock rules to change and those possession dates to be announced far enough in advance for breeding those market animals and having possession of those market animals,” he said. “It’s going to be an adjustment for families to think about spending that extra time during the summer to get ready for a July fair.”

“Our fair has always been a family tradition in Washington County,” Offenberger said in the release. “Moving to July helps us keep that tradition strong while making the fair more convenient, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.”

The 2027 event will be the first Washington County Fair held in July, and the board said it believes the change will support continued growth.

Additional updates — including schedules, vendor information, exhibitor guidelines and sponsorship opportunities — will be shared through the fair’s website, social media and local media outlets, the release says.

For more information, contact the Washington County Fair Board at 740-373-1347, secretary.washcofair@gmail.com or visit washcountyfair.com.