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2026 Official Washington County Fair Magazine

Page 1


WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION

Back row from L to R: Chris Caldwell, Roxie Lee, Amy Tasker, Andrea Schmutz, Susi Lafaele, Ali Foutz, Lil Barron Barnes, Jill Hunt, Anthony White, Commissioner Victor Iverson, Tim Arnold
Front row from L to R: Brandon Ipson, Poppy Babcock, Janie Johnson, Alison Anderson, Ed Tracey, Adam Cheney, Roger Erickson, Ru n Judd

Welcome to LaVerkin

Nestled in the heart of southern Utah’s breathtaking landscape, La Verkin City is a close-knit community where pioneer roots, scenic beauty, and hometown pride come together in a truly unique way. Founded in 1899 by early settlers, La Verkin’s story is one of resilience, cooperation, and vision — qualities that still define the city today. Pioneers such as brothers Henry and Joseph Gubler helped establish the community with a focus on cultivating fruit in the valley’s fertile soil. Their efforts, along with those of other settlers, transformed the rugged desert terrain into productive farmland that would sustain generations to come.

One of the most influential figures in La Verkin’s early history was Thomas Judd, whose determination and leadership played a crucial role in the young settlement’s survival. Judd’s foresight in organizing irrigation systems allowed the community to secure a consistent water source from the Virgin River, turning once-arid land into thriving orchards, gardens, and pastures. These early irrigation projects laid the foundation for La Verkin’s agricultural success and fostered a spirit of teamwork that continues to characterize the city’s residents.

By 1903, the establishment of a post office marked La Verkin’s official founding and helped connect the community to the wider world. While the exact origin of the city’s name remains a topic of friendly debate — with some attributing it to variations of the Spanish or Native names for the nearby Virgin River — the name “La Verkin” has become synonymous with the area’s strong pioneer heritage and lasting community identity.

Today, La Verkin remains a community deeply rooted in tradition yet open to thoughtful growth. Residents take pride in their city’s relaxed, small-town feel, where neighbors greet one another on tree-lined streets and family-owned businesses form the backbone of local life. The city’s location offers unmatched access to outdoor adventure. From the scenic La Verkin Overlook Trail to the serene beauty of Confluence Park, residents and visitors alike enjoy hiking, picnicking, and taking in panoramic views of the Virgin River and desert vistas that stretch endlessly toward Zion National Park.

Community spirit thrives in La Verkin’s many celebrations and events. The beloved annual Win-

terfest is a highlight of the year — a time when the town glows with holiday lights and neighbors gather for crafts, food, and family activities that capture the warmth and generosity of the season. Other parades, festivals, and city-sponsored gatherings throughout the year reinforce a sense of belonging that makes La Verkin truly feel like home, whether you’ve lived there for generations or have only recently arrived.

Looking ahead, La Verkin is committed to preserving its

small-town charm while preparing for a sustainable and vibrant future. City leaders place a strong emphasis on maintaining parks, improving trail systems, and expanding infrastructure that supports families and businesses alike. With its steadfast community spirit, deep historical roots, and spectacular natural surroundings, La Verkin City stands as a shining example of how tradition and progress can thrive hand-in-hand — a place where the beauty of the land is matched only by the warmth of its people.

ANIMAL SHOWS & COSTUME CONTEST

The County Fair Animal Shows celebrate the dedication, responsibility, and hard work of our youth as they proudly present their horses, rabbits, and chickens. From the excitement of the horse show arena to the charm of the small animal barn, each exhibit reflects months of care, learning, and commitment.

Get ready for laughs, creativity, and plenty of photo-worthy moments at the Animal Costume Contest! Clever costumes to crowd-favorite cuteness, this fun-filled event lets animals and their handlers show o their playful side while adding extra excitement to the fair.

Learn About Animals Raised In Our County!

ANIMAL SHOW DATES & TIMES

Monday, April 6th:

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

Tuesday, April 14th:

Animal Costume Contest - 6:00pm

No pre-registration or cost to enter! ALL animals accepted.

Wednesday, April 15th:

Rabbit Show - 6:30pm Chicken Show - 8:00pm

SCHEDULE

*Schedule subject to change.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Enter Home, Fine, and Literary Arts (Harmony Building)

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Enter Home, Fine, and Literary Arts (Harmony Building)

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

MONDAY, APRIL 6

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Judging All Departments (Harmony Building)

6:00 PM

4-H Horse Show (Covered Outdoor Arena)

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Community Display Set-up (Harmony Building)

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Enter all Fruits, Vegetables and Horticulture (Harmony Building)

Enter Baked Goods (Harmony Building)

12:30 PM

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

3:30 PM

Ribbon Cutting (Main Stage)

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Food Vendors

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival and Kiddie Land Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

4:00 PM

America 250 Birthday Celebration (Main Stage)

Princess Showcase (Main Stage)

SoUT Dance Sparkle (Community Stage)

4:30 PM

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:00 PM

Neilson Brothers (Community Stage)

$10 Family Meals Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

5:30 PM

Rodeo Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Opens

Josh Larsen (Main Stage)

Dance Fuzion (Community Stage)

6:30 PM

5-Ingredient Dinners Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

7:00 PM

Rodeo (Large Outdoor Arena)

Pantry Meal Demonstration (Harmony Building)

7:30 PM

Closure (Main Stage)

8:30 PM

Cook’s Racing Pigs

9:00 PM

Candace Washburn (Main Stage)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Close

Carnival and Kiddie Land Closes

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

9:00 AM

Parade (Tabernacle Street in St. George)

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival and Kiddie Land Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

10:00 AM

Kaeli Chae (Community Stage)

Dixieland Jam (Main Stage)

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Special Needs Rodeo (Large Outdoor Arena)

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Young 4-H Entrepreneur Fair (Grass) 11:00 AM

Lisa Seegmiller Studios (Community Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena) 11:30 AM

Black Sabbatical (Main Stage) 12:00 PM

Chase Snow (Community Stage) 1:00 PM

Lexi Johnson (Community Stage)

Ford Mustangs (Main Stage)

Teen Takeover: Easy Meals Teens

Can Cook Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena) 2:00 PM

Stino Mariano (Community Stage)

2:30 PM

Identity Crisis (Main Stage)

3:00 PM

Cade Adams (Community Stage)

Smart Snack Boards Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

4:00 PM

John Elwood Morgan (Community Stage)

Siva Pasifika (Main Stage)

4:30 PM

Gates Open for Boxing

5:00 PM

School of Rock (Community Stage)

Breakfast for Dinner Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:30 PM

Rodeo Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

The Mixx (Main Stage)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Opens Boxing

Ayla James (Community Stage)

6:30 PM

Instant Pot Dinners Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

7:00 PM

Rodeo (Large Outdoor Arena)

Ed Tracey Band (Main Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

8:30 PM

Paddle Out Band (Main Stage)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Close

Carnival and Kiddie Land Closes

MONDAY, APRIL 13

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Carnival Family Night – All rides $3.00 (Carnival)

4:00 PM

Meinfield (Main Stage)

Main Ohana Movement (Community Stage)

Matt Stewart (America 250 Stage)

4:30 PM

Literary Arts Youth Program (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:00 PM

Literary Arts Adolescent Program (Harmony Building)

Jerry Allen (Community Stage)

5:30 PM

Runaway Fire (Main Stage)

River House Band (America 250 Stage)

Literary Arts Adult Program (Harmony Building)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Opens

Emily Paige (Community Stage)

6:30 PM

Rotisserie Chicken Remix Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

7:00 PM

Breakaway (Covered Arena)

Ember Moat (Community Stage)

Mended Hearts Club (Main Stage)

Sky Olson (America 250 Stage)

7:30PM

Truck House Troubador (America 250 Stage)

8:00 PM

Line Dancing with Eric Dodge (Community Stage)

8:30 PM

Flipside (Main Stage)

Crossroads (America 250 Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Close

Carnival and Kiddie Land Closes

TUESDAY, APRIL 14

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival and Kiddie Land Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Carnival Family Night – All rides $3.00 (Carnival)

4:00 PM

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

Lonely Cactus Band (Main Stage)

Duncan’s Galactic Soapbox (America 250 Stage)

4:30 PM

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:00 PM

Roger Dean (Community Stage)

Garden to Table: Seasonal Spotlight Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

5:30 PM

Lisa Mac Band (Main Stage)

Monsoon Season (America 250 Stage)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Opens

One Foot in the Grave (Community Stage)

Animal Costume Contest (Indoor Arena)

6:30 PM

No-Cook Summer Meals Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

7:00 PM

Team Roping (Covered Arena)

continued on pg. 32

SCHEDULE

Dillon Jones Band (Main Stage)

Rozee and the HiLive (America 250 Stage)

8:30 PM

Elder Sister (Main Stage)

Dealt A Straight Band (America 250 Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Close

Carnival and Kiddie Land Closes

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival and Kiddie Land Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

4:00 PM

Becky and the Bluegrass Boys (Main Stage)

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

Roger Dean (America 250 Stage)

4:30 PM

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:00 PM

Grace Valley Dance Academy (Community Stage)

Freezer Meal Makeover Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

5:30 PM

CV Jazz (Main Stage)

Bila Gaana (America 250 Stage)

Doors Open for Tennessee River—A

Tribute to Alabama Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Opens

The Desert Rats (Community Stage)

6:30 PM

Cooking for One or Two Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

*Schedule subject to change.

Small Animal Show, Rabbit (Indoor Arena)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

7:00 PM

The Hubcaps (Main Stage)

Sober and Lush (America 250 Stage)

8:00 PM

Small Animal Show, Chicken (Indoor Arena)

Tennessee River—A Tribute to Alabama in Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

8:30 PM

The Lawn Darts (Main Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Close Carnival and Kiddie Land Closes

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Founder’s Festival Opens

4:00 PM

G-C Band (Main Stage)

Bar None Wranglers (America 250 Stage)

4:30 PM

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:00 PM

Flavor Without Salt Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

5:30 PM

Soul What! (Main Stage)

Frozen Desserts Band (Community Stage)

Roc Dox (America 250 Stage)

Doors Open for Fresh Horses: Garth Brooks Tribute (Large Outdoor Arena)

6:00 PM

Barrel Racing (Covered Outdoor Arena)

Beer Garden Opens

6:30 PM

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

Sneaky Veggies for Families Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

7:00 PM

Dude Beky! (Main Stage)

B Side Band (Community Stage)

Rollin Joe & The Tumbleweeds (America 250 Stage)

8:00 PM

Fresh Horses: Garth Brooks Tribute Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

8:30 PM

Press Play (Main Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits Close Kiddie Land Closes

11:00 PM

Carnival Closes

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival and Kiddie Land Opens

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Founders Festival Opens

4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Premium Bank Opens (Harmony Building)

4:00 PM

Wooden Tantrum (Main Stage)

Alivia Hadfield (Community Stage)

4:30 PM

Shot Heard Around the World (America 250 Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:00 PM

Distortion (Community Stage)

One-Pot Wonders Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

5:30 PM

Marji Mozart (Main Stage)

Gates Open for Neon Trees Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Opens

Shot Heard Around the World (America 250 Stage)

6:30 PM

Muddy Boots Band (Community Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

Instant Pot Basics Cooking Demonstration (Harmony Building)

7:00 PM

Team Sorting (Covered Arena)

The Remains (Main Stage)

8:00 PM

Neon Trees in Concert (Large Outdoor Arena)

8:30 PM

Steven Halliday Band (Main Stage)

10:00 PM

All Exhibits Close

Kiddie Land Closes

11:00 PM

Carnival Closes

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

All Exhibits & Buildings Open

Food and Retail Vendors Open

Petting Zoo Opens (Indoor Arena)

Carnival and Kiddie Land Opens (Carnival)

Military Wall of Honor (Harmony Building)

Founders Festival Opens

10:00 AM

Taiko (Community Stage)

10:30 AM

Kimmee B & 3D (Main Stage)

11:00 AM

Alicia Bush (Community Stage)

Kids Cookie Contest (Harmony Building)

Tractor Pull (Covered Arena)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Premium Bank Opens (Harmony Building)

11:30 AM

Shot Heard Round the World (America 250 Stage)

12:00 PM

Fast Eddie (Main Stage)

Mad Scientist (Community Stage)

1:00 PM

Time Machine Band (Community Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

1:30 PM

Twisted Cherry (Main Stage)

2:30 PM

Black Mountain Band (Community Stage)

Shot Heard Round the World (America 250 Stage)

Fresh Salsa Contest (Harmony Building)

3:00 PM

Tilted Jukebox (Main Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

4:00 PM

Chris Paul Band (Community Stage)

Trenton Robbins (America 250 Stage)

4:30 PM

Rio Virgin Band (Main Stage)

5:00 PM

Mad Scientist (America 250 Stage)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

5:30 PM

Grupo Reto (Community Stage)

Demolition Derby Gates Open (Large Outdoor Arena)

6:00 PM

Beer Garden Open

Groovonix (Main Stage)

Randy Garcia (America 250 Stage)

7:00 PM

Demolition Derby Starts (Large Outdoor Arena)

Cook’s Racing Pigs (Indoor Arena)

7:30 PM

Dick Earl’s Electric Witness (Main Stage)

10:00 PM

Drone Show

Exhibits Close

Kiddie Land Closes

11:00 PM

Carnival Closes

MONDAY, APRIL 20

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Exhibitors Pick-Up Items

Premium Bank Open (Harmony Building)

Suzy’s

Cardio

Ashlyn Holt

Best Western Plus Settlers Point

Bikers Against Child Abuse

Buddy Mail and Jill Hunt

Caleb Fullmer

Chelsea Porter

Cheryl Lines

Chick-fil-A

Chris Caldwell’s Media Class

Circle J Rodeo

City of St. George

David Cordero

Erica Jade Johnson

Erica Jade Johnson

Got Your Back Shack

Haley-Shea Benoit

Hilton Garden Inn

Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue

Igotpoop.com, Josh McCourt

Isabella Vitelli

John and Rosie Kirkland

KB Sorting—Kip Bowler

Kirkland Fencing

La Verkin Elementary School Choir

Lafaele Family

Lexi Johnson

Liberty Village

Local Law Enforcement

Miridyan Clements

Miss Rodeo America Olivia Favero

Miss Rodeo Utah Dalli Holyoak

Miss Wilderness Circuit Slater Jones

PolyRidaz

Preslee Heppler

Rope Race Ride—Mike and Raquel

Randall

Shay Gardner

Southwest Barrel Racing Association

St. George Single Adult Ward

St. George Sunrise Rotary

UDOT-Todd Abbott

Utah Food Bank

Utah Summer Games, Jon Oglesby

Utah Stah State University

Extension

Variety Attractions—Bruce Sullivan

Washington County Legacy Park Crew

Washington County Road Department

Washington County School District

Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Color Guard

Washington County Solid Waste District

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2026 Official Washington County Fair Magazine by washcofair - Issuu