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Livestock Rules

All exhibitors and their families are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and acceptable behavior to other exhibitors and their families, Judges, Fair Committee members, Fair Superintendents, and Fair attendees. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Should an exhibitor or a member of their family disregard these rules or cause any disruption before, during or after a show, the Fair Committee reserves the right to require the exhibitor to leave the Fairgrounds, forfeiting all prizes and winnings.
Livestock arrival is to occur Tuesday Night starting at 5pm. No animals are to enter the fairground Wednesday Morning. This does not apply to goats, working steer, animal pulls, or animals brought in for open shows.
At the decision of the Livestock Superintendents, Livestock dismissal is Sunday at 7 PM, with breakdown of exhibits at 6 PM, unless otherwise directed by the Washington County Fair Committee. This does not apply to sheep, working steer, animal pulls, or animals brought in for open shows.
Sunday dismissal all barns must be cleaned out completely. No bedding cannot be left in the walkways or left near the barns. All bedding must be brought to the proper dump truck and cleared out completely prior to leaving the premises.
Livestock exhibitors are not to block the public's view of their animals during the Fair. Tents, canopies, large benches, tables, or other items which can obstruct the view of exhibitor displays are not permitted.
All livestock bracelets must be worn on wrists at all times. Bracelets that slip off or are too loose will be confiscated.
All livestock passes must be adhered to the driver side windshield. Any pass that is not adhered to the window will be confiscated. All vehicles must obey all directions from parking and Washington County Fair staff.
Prize money will be forfeited for any livestock exhibitor if animals are removed prior to the dismissal, as indicated above, on the Sunday of fair.
In all classes in all departments (i.e. Livestock, FFA, animal pulls, etc.) where there is no competition, first, (1st) premium may be awarded but only second (2nd) money paid.
No person will be allowed to interfere with the judges while performing their duties and any person so interfering will be excluded from competition. Competent judges will be employed to judge all exhibits and contests.
Judges are required to be on a minimum three year rotation from judging a contest. Judges are to be submitted to the fair committee one month prior to the start of the fair.
No person will be allowed in the ring(s) during competition unless they are wearing approved identification.
Each animal entered will be judged according to its merit per the judging criteria. All decisions made by the judges are final.
Competition at the Washington County Fair is open to all except for the Queen Contest.
No Commercial Exhibitors will be allowed on the grounds unless permission is secured from the Fair Committee.
All animals, poultry, etc. must be free of disease and conform to all State and local health regulations. Please review State regulation following these rules.
All persons with animals except rabbits and poultry are responsible for the proper watering, feeding and grooming of their exhibit and general appearance of their allocated space.
Pop Up tents, benches, or other items that block the animals from patrons are NOT allowed to be set up outside of the barns.
No additional electrical lighting (i.e. string lights, lamps, etc.) may be used in livestock exhibits.
Stock trailers will not be allowed to remain on the Fairgrounds during the Fair, but must be relegated to the designated stock trailer parking area.
Due to liability of the Richmond electrical permit process any and all electrical work needed to be done at the fairgrounds will be done by the Washington County Fair’s electrician(s) only.
No one will be permitted to remain on the fairgrounds overnight unless designated by the Fair Committee. This applies to all CAMPERS! All campers and tents must fill out all proper paperwork with the camping official. Any camper that does not have the proper paperwork filled out or does not comply with the rules will be asked to vacate the premises. Any minor must have written parental consent on file with the camping official.
If livestock exhibitors are camping at the Fairgrounds, no pets will be allowed in the camping area.
Campers cannot run generators between 11pm – 7am during their stay at the fair.
Livestock exhibitors will be disqualified if rules and regulations are not followed or may lead to probation and potentially expulsion from future fairs at the discretion of the Fair Committee.