Washington County Fair organizers invite Rockville to showcase the town at April fair

Washington County Fair board members asked the Rockville Town Council on March 11 to participate in the county's April fair and to help showcase the town to visitors. Ruffin Judd and fair director Susie Laffielli said the fair will open April 18 and that organizers expect roughly 60,000 attendees across the expanded eight-day schedule.

"The Washington County Fair is the longest running event in the county. We are at 166 this year," Laffielli said, noting the fair now runs eight days and has grown in attendance since moving from August to April. She said organizers pay out nearly $16,000 in prize money to local entrants and distribute more than $62,000 in local scholarships and awards.

Judd and Laffielli urged Rockville to create a 10-foot-by-10-foot display space at the fair and to consider joining a people's-choice competition for community booths. "We give each community an opportunity to put on a display," Judd said, describing the display as a way to "showcase what you're doing, where you're going, maybe future things, past events."

Laffielli noted that about 25% of fair attendees come from outside Washington County, including visitors to nearby Zion National Park, and she encouraged Rockville to use the fair to reach returning visitors. Organizers said general admission will be free, though some ticketed events (for example, rodeos and concerts) will require paid admission.

The presentation included operational details (approximately 2,000 exhibits, nearly 90 entertainers and multiple stages) and logistical offers such as curtained booths and electricity access for displays. Laffielli also invited Rockville to add veterans to the fair's military wall of honor.

No formal council action was required; council members thanked the presenters and said they would follow up with ideas and possible participants from the town.