Washington County Fair 2024

A SOUTHERN UTAH TRADITION FOR OVER 160 YEARS

For over 160 years, the Washington County Fair has been an important part of the southern Utah community — ever since the early settlers of Washington City opened their homes to display agricultural products. Even though the locations, entertainment, and displays have changed throughout the years, one thing remains the same: the fair is one event that brings the community together.

As southern Utah and Washington County grow, so does our county fair. Now expanding from four days to eight, the 2024 Washington County Fair is excited to offer even more attractions, entertainment, and fun. Not to diminish our traditional ticketed events of the demolition derby, our two-nights of rodeo or boxing (which is going 101 years strong!) or the ever-popular petting zoo or military wall of honor, but the increase in days, also calls for an increase in events! That includes adding: team roping, sorting, breakaway, and three nights of concert instead of one! We are proud to present a 90s Country Night with Tracy Byrd featuring Little Texas on Wednesday, April 17, 2023 American Idol Winner Iam Tongi in concert on Thursday, April 18, and rounding out our night of concerts is the Eli Young Band on Friday, April 19.

Our thanks to all of the people who are involved with the Fair, for the many hours and talents they contribute. Susi Lafaele, along with the Fair Board have dedicated their time to ensure that the Washington County Fair is a continued success that can be enjoyed by all. The Washington County Commissioners would like to take this opportunity to invite the citizens of Washington County and all other guests to attend and participate in the 2024 Washington County Fair held April 12-20. Please come and enjoy the many exhibits and attractions!

Washington County Commission

Adam Snow Commissioner

Victor Iverson Commissioner

Gil Almquist Chairman

Washington County Commission

Leeds: A Welcoming, Unique Town of Then And Now

Since 1869, Leeds has been home to a succession of folks who have appreciated and made the most of its mountain streams, fertile soil and red cliff vistas. From the early settlers who came to farm to recent retirees who come seeking a rural retreat, Leeds has provided a home where friendship, history, and beautiful scenery are part of the atmosphere.

source in Quail Creek, which was fed by many springs from Pine Valley Mountain.

Civilian Conservation Corps

In its unique position at the juncture of three geological provinces—the Basin and Range Province, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado Plateau—Leeds was said to boast Utah’s longest growing season. During the early to mid-1900’s, Leeds was an orchard town, marketing apricots, cherries, peaches, and grapes. At one time, there were four packing sheds for peaches, with one family shipping 500 bushels of peaches per day during harvest season. Fruit stands lined highway 91. Named for Leeds, England, the town only came into being after two previous failures at farming in other nearby locations. The settlers finally found a close substantial water

During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, helped put Americans back to work. Thousands of unemployed young men enrolled in this “Pick and Shovel peacetime army.” Built in 1933, the Leeds CCC camp is perhaps the best remaining example of a CCC camp in Utah, with 200 young men from all over the country. CCC workers helped with flood control, fought forest fires, planted trees, built roads and bridges. The program Tithing

ended in 1942, leaving four sandstone buildings in Leeds to preserve the history of a unique American endeavor.

Around 1875, the Wells Fargo Express Co. constructed a small building on Main Street for an office and stagecoach stop. Shortly after, silver was discovered nearby and Wells Fargo moved its operations to Silver Reef. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then purchased the property to use as a Tithing Office to store members’ “tithing in kind.” At the time, in Leeds most tithes were paid in produce, which was then distributed to the needy. After the turn of the century, the need for a Tithing Office gradually decreased as Church members began pay-

Stirling Home

ing their tithing in cash. The building is now owned by the Hadleys, who have restored it as a small museum.

One winter morning in the 1870’s, William Stirling, prominent early settler of Leeds, was riding his horse through Silver Reef. He noticed that the Christy Mill, a five-stamp silver ore processing mill, was overheating because the water that cooled it was frozen solid. An explosion was imminent. William acted swiftly and opened the irrigation head gates, allowing water from the Leeds ditch to flow to the

Silver Reef Museum

overheating mill and cool it, averting a disaster. The owners of the Mill expressed their gratitude by placing Stirling on their payroll with a handsome salary for a year with no expectation that he work for the wage. Stirling used the money to build his beautiful two-story brick home. It is said that he was “Given a fortune for averting a misfortune.”

When silver fever died in Silver Reef, folks salvaged what remained. Even whole buildings were purchased and hauled away to nearby communities. The Silver Reef school house was cut in half and rolled down the hill on logs to its present location where it was re-attached and used as a schoolhouse. In the 1950’s, it became a dance hall and is now the renovated Town Hall.

Set against a stunning backdrop of sandstone cliffs and the looming face of Pine Valley Mountain, the restored WellsFargo bank and stage stop houses the beautiful Silver Reef Museum. Visitors from all over the world come to visit the ghost town and see the place where silver deposits were found crazily lacing the white sandstone up thrusts and anticlines.

Silver Reef school house

Step into Leeds: its history and bucolic town has remained calm and welcoming while being surrounded by waves of change. Leeds remains a welcoming refuge— no stoplights or traffic jams, no fast food stores or gas stations. The air is fresh, the scenery exquisite, and the dark night skies calming— Leeds offers a lifestyle unique in our times!

FAIR FOOD BEST FOOD is the

Check out nearly 20+ food vendors!

Williams Services Corp.

4Q The One and Only Original Texas Twister Drink

Frying Friars

The Rolling Pineapple

KOKONUT HUT LLC

Tiny’s Botana’s

Chocolate Chip Cookie Company

Island Rotisserie and Grill

Baja Taco Dudes

Navajo Taco’s and Burgers

KTT Concessions

4-H ANIMAL SHOW & PETTING ZOO

Housed in the indoor arena, fair-goers will be able to experience a variety of local animals found in the area. With the help of area high school FFA clubs, the petting zoo and animal education center serve as a fundraiser for each club.

Learn About Animals Raised In Our County!

Animal Show Dates & Times:

Thursday, April 11:

Horse Show--6:00pm Held in the Covered Arena

Wednesday, April 17:

Rabbit Show - 6:30pm

Chicken Show - 8:00pm

Pioneer Stage

Community Stage

Mad Scientist

Stephen Wade Main Stage

4:30pm Dillon Jones Band

Pioneer Stage ••••••••••••

Austin Mariano 11am Red Sands Bluegrass 1pm

•••••••••••••

Roger Dean 3:30pm Steve Stay

Community Stage

Scientist 1pm

Candace Washburn

5pm

Stephen Wade Main Stage

10am

1pm Ford

G&T with Kira

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Enter Home, Fine and Literary Arts and 4-H

4-H Exhibits & 4-H Baked Goods (Harmony Building)

FRIDAY, APRIL 5

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Enter Home, Fine and Literary Arts and 4-H

4-H Exhibits & 4-H Baked Goods (Harmony Building)

MONDAY, APRIL 8

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Judging All Departments (Harmony Building)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Community Display Set-up (Harmony Building)

THURSDAY, APRIL 11

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Enter all Fruits, Vegetables and Horticulture (Harmony Building)

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Enter Baked Goods (Harmony Building)

12:30 PM

Judging Fruits, Vegetables and Horticulture and Baked Good (Harmony Building )

6:00 PM

4-H Horse Show (Covered Outdoor Arena)

FRIDAY, APRIL 12

FAIR OPENS

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Beer Garden Opens

4:30 PM

Dillon Jones Band (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

5:00 PM

Austin Mariano (Pioneer Stage)

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

5:30 PM

Rodeo Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

7:00 PM

Rodeo (Large Outdoor Arena)

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens (Carnival)

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

10:00 AM

Sarah Sizemore (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Special Needs Rodeo (Large Outdoor Arena)

11:00 AM

Red Sands Bluegrass (Pioneer Stage)

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

Wooden Tantrum (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

1:00 PM

Roger Dean (Pioneer Stage)

Main Ohana Movement (Community Stage)

Ford Mustangs (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

2:00 PM

Trey Patterson (Community Stage)

3:00 PM

G&T with Kira (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

3:30 PM

Steve Stay (Pioneer Stage)

Candace Washburn (Community Stage)

5:00 PM

Dance Fuzion (Community Stage)

5:30 PM

Rodeo Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

7:00 PM

Rodeo (Large Outdoor Arena)

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

CLOSED

MONDAY, APRIL 15

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Beer Garden Opens

FAMILY NIGHT

Carnival Family Night – All rides $2.00 (Carnival)

4:00 PM

Mountain Meadow (Community Stage)

Josh Larsen (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

5:00 PM

Crossroads (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

6:00 PM

Parade in Washington City

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

7:00 PM

Hubcaps (Community Stage)

Identity Crisis (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

Breakaway Enter (Covered Arena)

7:30 PM

Breakaway Start (Covered Arena)

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Beer Garden Opens

FAMILY NIGHT

Carnival Family Night – All rides $2.00 (Carnival)

4:00 PM

Adobe Taylor (Community Stage)

5:00 PM

Registration for Team Roping (Covered Arena)

6:00 PM

Vietnam Veteran Appreciation Ceremony (Large Outdoor Arena)

Lauren Pratt (Community Stage) Team Roping (Covered Arena)

7:00 PM

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

Desert Reign (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

continued on pg. 32

SCHEDULE (cont.)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Beer Garden Opens

4:00 PM

The Mixx (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

4:30 PM

Literary Arts Showcase-Adult (Pioneer Stage)

5:30 PM

Tracy Byrd in Concert Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

Literary Arts Showcase-Youth (Pioneer Stage)

6:00 PM

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

Honky Tonk Heroes (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

6:30 PM

Small Animal Show, Rabbit (Indoor Arena)

Little Texas in Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

8:00 PM

Small Animal Show, Chicken (Indoor Arena)

8:30 PM

Tracy Byrd in Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Beer Garden Opens

4:00 PM

Epic Performing Company (Community Stage)

Soul What (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

5:00 PM

Skyler Ledesma (Pioneer Stage)

6:00 PM

Barrel Racing (Covered Outdoor Arena)

KimmeeB & 3D (Community Stage)

Dixieland Jam Band (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

6:30 PM

Princess Showcase (Pioneer Stage)

American Idol Winner Iam Tongi in Concert Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

8:00 PM

American Idol Winner Iam Tongi in Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

11:00 PM

Carnival Closes

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Beer Garden Opens

4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Premium Bank Opens (Harmony Building)

4:00 PM

Fall River Boys (Community Stage)

Lawn Darts (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

5:00 PM

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

6:00 PM

Ed Tracey Band (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

6:30 PM

Eli Young Band in Concert Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

Fall River Boys (Community Stage)

7:00 PM

Sorting Enter (Covered Arena)

7:30 PM

Sorting Start (Covered Arena)

8:00 PM

Eli Young Band in Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

10:00 PM

Fireworks

11:00 PM

Carnival Closes

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food Vendors

Animal Education Center & Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens (Carnival)

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

10:00 AM

Utah Arts Academy (Community Stage) Lifelines (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

10:30 AM

Baby Contest (Harmony Stage)

11:00 AM

Kids Cookie Contest (Harmony Building)

Spotlight Studios (Community Stage)

12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Premium Bank Opens (Harmony Building)

12:00 PM

Steven Halliday Band (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

1:00 PM

TW Music Studio (Community Stage)

2:00 PM

Fall River Boys (Pioneer Stage)

Dude Beky (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

2:30 PM

Fresh Salsa Contest (Harmony Building)

3:30 PM

Fall River Boys (Pioneer Stage)

Aztec Dancers (Community Stage)

Marji Mozart (Stephen Wade Main Stage)

4:30 PM

Desert Nomads (Community Stage)

5:30 PM

Demolition Derby Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

6:00 PM

Boxing

7:00 PM

Demolition Derby Starts (Large Outdoor Arena)

10:00 PM

Fireworks

11:00 PM

Carnival Closes

MONDAY, APRIL 22

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Exhibitors Pick-Up Items

Premium Bank Open (Harmony Building)

Washington County Fair Gives Back Through Rotary

When you pay admission to the Washington County Fair, it helps support the many causes throughout our community via the St. George Sunrise Rotary Club. The club is comprised of community and business leaders with an emphasis to serve the communities of Washington County. Projects include providing every third-grade student their own dictionary, working with Mill Creek High School to help give out new coats and clothes, keeping the city clean by picking up trash on Dixie Drive, feeding the community with the Utah Food Bank, working in Snow Canyon State Park to help preserve the tortoise habitat, help provide school supplies to under privilege children with Back Packs for Kids, and providing equipment to Washington County Search and Rescue. Rotary members believe in “Service Above Self”. To learn more about this service organization, visit stgsunriserotary.org.

Best Western Plus Settlers Point

Bikers Against Child Abuse

Buddy Mail and Jill Hunt

Chick-fil-A

Circle J Rodeo

Create Better Health Washington

County

David Cordero

Fisher Family Farm

Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Inn St. George

Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue

iGOTPOOP.com, Josh McCourt

IFA

John and Rosie Kirkland

KB Sorting

Kim Fry

Lafaele Family

Local Law Enforcement

Miss Rodeo America Emma Cameron

PolyRidaz

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Rope Race Ride

St. George Single Adult Ward

St. George Sunrise Rotary

Stirrin’ Dirt Racing

Tracy Sahleen

UDOT-Todd Abbott

Variety Attractions—Bruce Sullivan Virginia Bundy

Washington City

Washington County Legacy Park

Crew—Jeff Benson, Dalton Bowler, Justice Jiminez-Conner, Brandon Olsen

Washington County Library System

Washington County Road Department

Washington County School District FFA Clubs

Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Washington County Solid Waste District