FAQ's - Washington County Fair Washington County Fair

FAIR CANCELLATION FAQ’S

Why is the 2020 Washington County Fair cancelled and not postponed?
- The AIS Board considered many factors in making this decision but ultimately concluded that the risks associated with proceeding with the Fair as planned were too much to overcome. “Planning the Fair is a tremendous undertaking and our hearts break for the long list of people and organizations involved in the Fair every year, including the exhibitors, staff, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and groups, sponsors, the carnival, food and commercial vendors, entertainment, equipment providers and the Fairgoers who make the Fair possible each and every year.” said Kellie Boone, Executive Director.
- Postponing until later this year is not a viable option given several factors including but not limited to:
  - the routing for major components of the Fair such as entertainment, the carnival and our food and commercial vendors.
  - Coordination issues with a lack of staffing and volunteers due to school and other commitments in the fall.
  - The scheduled events already slated to take place on the grounds don’t allow a large enough window of time to host the Fair at a different date.
Why was the decision made now?
- - Preparing for the Fair is a tremendous undertaking of thousands of moving components that we plan for year-round. Large portions of our Fair such as the carnival, entertainment, vendors and staffing need to make their plans and preparations months in advance to be ready and it is not Fair to them to hold off in the hopes that things will change a few weeks before the Fair.
  - The decisions for advanced planning must be made with the information we have in hand now not we hope or believe it to be at the end of July.
Were mitigation measures considered?
- - Yes, multiple scenarios were envisioned to modify the Fair to implement the guidelines recommended by the Washington Ozaukee Blueprint for reopening and the impacts of some of those are detailed below:
  - Reducing capacity to the recommended 25%, which would cause not only turning away Fairgoers but negatively impacting all aspects of the Fair that rely on 100% of Fairgoers attending per day.
  - Socially distancing any aspect of the Fair, such as vendors, barns, and the Amphitheater, is just not feasible. You can’t socially distance an event that is meant to be a social experience.
Will there be some version of the Fair for exhibitors, an auction or a virtual edition for Fairgoers?
- In place of virtual or in-person judging, the Fair is working on a showcase/tribute to the exhibitors and will be reaching out directly to them with information as soon as it is available as well as options for youth exhibitors aging out of participation this year. Additionally, the Fair Park Committee will be meeting to discuss a possible alternate celebration of the Fair towards the end of Summer or early Fall. Should that transpire, details will be released as soon as they are available.
- The Sale Committee has decided that there will not be an auction this year, whether in person or virtual.
What do I do with my pre-purchased admission tickets or season passes?
- All pre-purchased admission tickets or season passes will be valid for the 2021 Washington County Fair, to be held July 20-25.
- Donate them back to the Washington County Agricultural & Industrial Society to be used for future Fair projects and improvements. Donations requests must be received by June 30, 2020. Donation requests may be sent via email to: or mailed to our office.
- Request a refund: Refunds must be requested by June 30, 2020 or the admission tickets and vouchers will be rolled over for use at the 2021 Washington County Fair. Refund requests may be sent via email to: or mailed to our office.
  - Refunded tickets will be inactivated and will be unusable for the 2021 Washington County Fair.
What do I do with my pre-purchased concert tickets?
- - Both LANCO and Brantley Gilbert have confirmed to move their respective performances to the 2021 Fair.
    - LANCO will headline the Silver Lining Amphitheater on Thursday July 22, 2021.
    - Brantley Gilbert will headline the Silver Lining Amphitheater on Saturday July 24, 2021.
  - All pre-purchased concert tickets or season passes will be valid for the 2021 Washington County Fair performances. Hold on to your tickets!
  - Donate them back to the Washington County Agricultural & Industrial Society to be used for future Fair projects and improvements. Donations requests must be received by June 30, 2020. Donation requests may be sent via email to: or mailed to our office.
  - Request a refund: Refunds must be requested by June 30, 2020 or the concert tickets and vouchers will be rolled over for use at the 2021 Washington County Fair. Refund requests may be sent via email to: or mailed to our office.
    - Refunded tickets will be inactivated and will be unusable for the 2021 Washington County Fair.
What if I won admission or concert tickets from a fundraiser, radio station or through another avenue?
- All tickets whether admission or concert won through a contest, auction or other avenue will be valid for the 2021 Washington County Fair. Hold onto your tickets!
- Tickets (whether admission or concert) won through a contest, auction or other avenue are ineligible for a refund.
What if I purchased my tickets through a source other than the Fair website or Agile Ticketing Solutions?
- The Washington County Fair & Agile Ticketing Solutions are the ONLY authorized sources for Washington County Fair admission tickets and concert tickets.
- Tickets purchased at a non-authorized, third party source must be returned through that point of purchase. Please note that the Washington County Fair cannot guarantee the validity of the tickets purchased from a non-authorized source and you risk being denied admission, refunds and/or exchanges.
Will there be a 2021 Washington County Fair?
- The 2021 Washington County Fair is scheduled for July 20-25.
How are other events held at Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center being affected?
- A reopening plan has been established based on the Washington Ozaukee Blueprint for Reopening. Each client of WCFP will be responsible for their decision to continue their events on the grounds based on following those recommendations.

FAQ’s / Frequently Asked Questions