Celebrating Human Achievement At The Washington County Fair
– By James McFadden –
April 12-20, 2024.
We all know attending the fair can be an exciting and fun time for the whole family. There are rides for the kids, both young and old, and entertainment in the form of music, derby cars, rodeo athletes, and artistic performers. Not to mention the fireworks, curio vendors, and a wide variety of food, drinks, and sweets to keep you satisfied. But there is one thing above all that I have come to appreciate more than anything: the opportunity to celebrate the inspiring and talented creators who live and work alongside us in our communities.
We live in a time when participation alone is often rewarded right alongside skill, natural talent, remarkable achievements, and practiced artisanship. But participation alone isn’t what truly makes humanity magnificent. No, it’s the dedication of truly talented practitioners that ultimately elevates us; and it’s the nature of competition that inspires us to be better at being human. The importance of competition compels us to find our talents, improve our skills, and strive to do better every day. And THAT, more than anything, is what you will find everywhere you turn at the Washington County Fair!
When you attend the fair, you’re ultimately supporting and helping promote human achievement, and that’s a worthwhile pursuit in my book.
Are you someone who fancies growing things? Then you will want to peruse the ‘Field and Crops’ entries. Here, you will find entries of fresh fruit, field crops, vegetables, plants, flowers, houseplants, herbs, and even cacti and succulents all grown by local farmers and horticultural enthusiasts.
Are you a lover of our animal friends? You will certainly want to check out the chickens, rabbits, goats, and other livestock raised and nurtured for the purpose of show.
Other items entered for judging are Fine Arts, including graphic arts, paintings, drawings, and photography; Literary Arts, including short stories, poetry, written articles, and more; as well as Home Arts, including clothing, quilting, costumes, dolls, toys, games, hand-knitted items, crochet, needlepoint, and so much more!
These are the main attractions that are often missed by everyday visitors when they can ultimately provide an incredible opportunity for parents to highlight, teach, and inspire the next generation of young people to find and explore their own talents—talents that can contribute to our communities in lasting and uplifting ways.
So, with this in mind, I would like to challenge you to spend a little more time this year, exploring these aspects of the Washington County Fair. Spend more time admiring the heart and soul of those who have worked very hard to share their talents with you. I promise you; you will walk out of the fair a much richer person than you did when you walked in.
For more information, visit WashCoFair.net and start planning your visits today!
