2009 "DINO-MITE" Washington County Fair

The Washington County Fair is “DINO-MITE!”  August 12 – 15th pre-historic dinosaur evidences will unfold as the Dinosaur Discovery Site displays a touch block of a dinosaur track, skulls, and bones and has a “dinosaur dig” every day!

Paleontologist Captain Dave Eisenstein will give a presentation on “What Jurassic Park Got Wrong” Saturday at 5:00 PM in the Show Barn Stage area.  Feed a penny to the blue dinosaur and guess how much he eats a day.  There will be a daily winner.

St. George is the fair's spotlight city and the Grand Marshall is Sheldon and LaVerna Johnson who found dinosaur tracks on their River Side Drive property in February of 2000.  During this first year they saw visitors from every state, the last represented was Arkansas. Visitors from 67 countries were counted in the year 2000 also. Easter Weekend brought almost 6,000 visitors in four days.  After much effort the Dinosaur Discovery Museum became a reality.

This year, the Miss Washington County Fair Royalty consists of Queen, Ginger Jensen, 1st Attendant Karissa Anderson and as 2nd Attendant Samantha Larson.

The big attraction this year is “The Great Bear Show” out of Texas!  Established in 1977, it is the oldest and longest running educational show with wild animals.  North American Black Bears will entertain as they perform various behaviors that have been taught to them by their 4th generation trainer, Bob Steele.  They will perform three shows a day and there will be a special photo opportunity after each show.  Come watch them swim in their pool and do their tricks.  Located on the lawn at the fair entrance this event is free to the public.

Free Style Moto Cross Stunt Shows will be every hour Thursday night and are free to the public.  PCBRA will present Bull Rides Friday night followed by a Laser Light Show.  The traditional Boxing Fights will continue Friday and Saturday night. The most popular event is the Demolition Derby on Saturday Night.  Pre-show concert by Brandi Frampton, rock crawls featuring the famous Astro Van jump!  The audience will stay in their seats as the fireworks bring another successful fair to a close.

Top notch entertainment will adorn the stages at the Fair.  Will Roya from Las Vegas will perform a magic variety show on Wednesday night after the ribbon cutting ceremony and then a  “Magic Tricks R 4 Kids” Saturday at 1:00 PM after the baby contest.  Brian Campbell will do two hypnotist shows this year because of the popularity and standing room only!  The Close Up Magic of Tim Cummings, Desert Heat, Lawn Darts, Sheri Peterson Band, Marcus the Funny Man, and much, much more!

Contests for all ages consist of Fair Factor, Frozen T Shirt, Feet Grab, Dino Dig and Balloon Toss.  The Extension office will also host a cookie and salsa contest in the Exhibit building.

Coral Cliffs Stadium 8 in Hurricane is offering two free movies for the fair, Saturday, August 8th 10:00 AM “Land Before Time” and Military Day, Thursday, August 13th “Kelly’s Heroes”.

Be sure not to miss all of the exhibits from Washington county's residents in home arts, fine arts, fruits, vegetables, quilting, photography, crafts, etc.  Find your city’s seed display!  Go shopping in their commercial booths and take advantage of the “fair deals”!  Attend the parade in St. George on Saturday morning.  Run or walk in the 5 K or mile race in Hurricane.  The small Elks arena will host a junior rodeo, youth sort, celebrity sort and 4-H horse show. Small animal shows and exhibits will be open every day. 

Traditions and memories are made as family and friends attend the many attractions and events that the county fair has to offer.  For a complete listing of fair events, go to the website www.washcofair.net, or pickup a fair magazine at the grocery store, most businesses or your city office.  There is something for everyone… guaranteed!  There is nothing that brings a county together like the fair! See you there!