4-H at the 2026 Washington County Fair

For many 4-H members, showing their projects at the County Fair is the highlight of the summer! This page is a central spot for information about the 4-H experience at County Fair. Please also refer to the Washington County Fair website, which includes details for all exhibitors and fair goers.

About the Washington County Fair

Update from Fair Manager Tanya Becker

We are so excited for the 168th Washington County Fair and can’t wait to see all of you and the incredible work you’ve been putting in throughout the year!

Thank you for the time, dedication, and care you give to your animals and projects—it truly is what makes our Fair so special.

As we get closer, please keep a few important reminders in mind:

All animals and exhibits must be registered by June 10th. This deadline is firm, and no late entries will be accepted. New this year, all entry fees must be paid online at the time of registration. See https://washcofairwi.com/exhibitors/

Exhibitor parking passes will be available starting in May and will once again be $50. Trailer parking passes are free, but must still be registered through the Fair Park office beginning in May.

There are a few updates to livestock arrival and show times this year, so please take a moment to review the Premium Book carefully.

We truly appreciate everything you do to make the Fair a success. Your hard work, commitment, and passion are what bring this event to life, and we are so excited to see it all come together.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Fair Park office at 262-677-5060 or countyfair@wcfairpark.com.

Thank you again—we’ll see you at the Fair!
Fairly Yours,  
Tanya Becker
Fair Manager

  • The Fair is July 21-26, 2026. The Fair is always planned to run the last full week in July.
  • Many 4-H projects are judged the day before the fair starts (Monday, July 20)
  • The Agricultural Industrial Society (AIS), a non-profit organization, runs the Washington County Fair 
  • All entries/entry forms MUST be submitted to the Fair Park Office or Online by 4:30pm on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. See Exhibitor information and online entry for more information on entering exhibits.
  • What’s an exhibit tag? Where do I get my exhibit tags?
    • 4-H members receive an exhibit tag for each Fair entry they submit by the June 10th deadline. The tag will have key information about the item. Attach the corresponding exhibit tag to each item.
    • Pick up your exhibitor tickets in the Fair Park Office until the Friday before the Fair begins.
    • Starting Monday of Fair week, pick up will be in the Ziegler Building lobby
  • Judging Day
    • A majority of judging takes place on Monday from 1-6:00 pm in the Zeigler Building. Make sure you arrive early enough to get all of your exhibits judged before 6:00 pm. Some non-animal departments are judged on Tuesday and Wednesday. Make sure to check the Premium Book!
    • The Ziegler Building is split up into departments; look for big wooden signs hanging from the ceiling to indicate departments
    • Judging is first come, first served; go to the appropriate department and pick a number from the white wooden holder. There will be two sets of numbers. Pull from the top number. Bottom number is what number is currently being judged. If you have exhibits in multiple departments, collect all of your numbers right away and wait in the department where your number is closest. If your number gets called when you are in another department, check-in with a volunteer in that area and you will be called next.
    • You will sit down one at a time with a judge to have a brief conversation. The judge will provide feedback and tell you your placing and a corresponding ribbon color. Parents can take pictures of the judging, but are not a part of the judging process. See Face to Face Judging for more details on the judging process
    • If you receive a blue ribbon (1st place) you may be eligible for additional awards. Come back on Tuesday to see if you received one including grand champion, reserve champion, merit award, State Fair, or other special awards. These outstanding exhibits are designated with additional ribbons.
  • Do 4-H families have to pay to go to the fair?
  • Exhibit Release
    • Watch for details on when and how to pick up your exhibits at the end of the Fair

Volunteering at the Fair

Scroll down to see the volunteer opportunities

Washington County Fair Volunteer Opportunities

Under the Washington County 4-H Umbrella

These activities fall under the Washington County 4-H umbrella and 4-H policies apply when volunteering in these roles. 

  • Staff the 4-H Action and Promotion Center in the Ziegler Building (advertising 4-H to families).
Sign up for 4-H Action & Promotion Center
  • Work at the 4-H Food Stand in the Ziegler Building
Sign up for 4-H Food Stand
Sign up for 4-H Silent Auction

Under the Washington County Fair Umbrella

  • Your help is needed to make the Washington County Fair a success, specifically in the Ziegler Building where many of the exhibits are displayed and the Washington County 4-H Leaders Association Silent Auction takes place. Youth have the opportunity to support the different judging areas in the Ziegler building including setting up exhibits and display areas. For adults, this is a great way to fulfill your minimum 4 hour volunteer requirement to purchase an Adult Volunteer Pass for $15.00. Signing up below does not purchase you a pass. If you are associated with a club, contact your General Leader for your volunteer pass. If you are a key leader, you will need to stop in to the Washington County Fair office to purchase a pass.
  • Ag Adventureland at the Washington County Fair: Contact the Washington County Fair.
    • Message from Coordinator Beth Remmel: Hello! Thank you for considering to volunteer in Ag-Adventureland. Review the available slots at the link below and click on the button to sign up. Volunteering is easy and fun! The main focus is having a fun and inviting atmosphere for children to learn about different aspects of Wisconsin agriculture. Duties include: keeping the area neat and tidy, emptying the Market, refilling each station, and monitoring the different learning and play stations.  Thank you for volunteering. See you at the fair!
    • Sign up for Ag Adventureland here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044AAAA82AA6FB6-63120790-agadventureland
  • Animal Barn Set-up & Take Down (contact Fair Superintendent)
  • Building sitter in animal barns/tents (contact Fair Superintendent)
  • Overnight security in the barns (contact Fair Superintendent)
  • Assist with the dog show (contact Fair Superintendent)
  • Set up, take down, or assisting with dairy or livestock shows or livestock sale (contact Fair Superintendent or Sale Committee Chair)

4-H Action and Promotion Center: Sign Up Today!!

This is an opportunity to engage community members attending the fair in a hands-on activity and promote 4-H. Clubs, countywide projects, and families are invited to organize a small group, 2-4 members (any age) and 1-2 adults, to cover one shift. There are 20 shifts. Shifts are two hours in length and available Tuesday, July 21 -Sunday, July 26.

Sign up for 4-H Action & Promotion Center

Action is the key to the success of the “4-H Action and Promotion Center.” Clubs/projects/families create and provide their own activity, or can request one from the 4-H Educator/Extension office. The activity should be hands-on and attract fair goers to the booth. This is an opportunity to ask the youth running the booth what they’ve learned in their projects this past year and how they could teach others and share a favorite activity.

***Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer at the Action and Promotion Booth at Fair***
1. It is an easy way to get adult volunteer hours for an adult volunteer season pass
2. It is a fun group or family activity
3. It is a good chance to interact with fair goers
4. You get to share your passion about 4-H and projects you are involved in
5. Opportunity to strengthen communication and social skills

Ziegler Building: Adult volunteers & Youth Fair Assistants Needed

Ziegler Building volunteer opportunities

  • Your help is needed to make the Washington County Fair a success, specifically in the Ziegler Building where many of the exhibits are displayed and the Washington County 4-H Leaders Association Silent Auction takes place. Youth have the opportunity to support the different judging areas in the Ziegler building including setting up exhibits and display areas. For adults, this is a great way to fulfill your minimum 4 hour volunteer requirement to purchase an Adult Volunteer Pass for $15.00. Signing up below does not purchase you a pass. If you are associated with a club, contact your General Leader for your volunteer pass. If you are a key leader, you will need to stop in to the Washington County Fair office to purchase a pass.

4-H Leaders Association Silent Auction

4-H Food Stand

SignUp Genius for the 4-H Food Stand at the Fair

Please feel free to contact Tammy Willkomm at 262-308-0057 or trwillkomm@ymail.com or Sharon Kiselicka at 262-483-0830 or skiselicka@hotmail.com with questions.

Scarecrow Contest at the 2026 Washington County Fair

Calling all creative kids and teens ages 8–18! Build a scarecrow using recycled, reused, or repurposed materials and enter for a chance to win a scholarship! 

Show off your creativity while helping promote sustainability and environmental awareness in a fun and unique way.

  •  Ages 8–18
  •  Scholarship prizes available
  •  Create using recycled or repurposed materials
  •  Individuals and groups welcome

Sign up and find more information here: Sustainable Scarecrow Contest

Scarecrow Contest Flyer (PDF)

4-H Silent Auction

Donations needed!!

The Washington County 4-H Leaders Association is excited to once again host our annual Silent Auction during the Washington County Fair, and we need your support! Please use this link https://forms.gle/ov4GW3B3gq96m8jW6 to provide details about your silent auction items. For detailed information, please see the Silent Auction Letter that was sent to all club leaders.

Donations are due by July 13th, and will be brought directly to the fair park. Thank you for your continued commitment to Washington County 4-H and for helping make the Silent Auction a fun and successful part of the Fair! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to coordinate your club’s donation at washingtoncty4hsilentauction@gmail.com or call/text Ann Morrow (262) 408-0481.

Volunteers needed!!

We are looking for volunteers of all ages to assist with set-up, bundling auction packages, and then dispersing items to the winners. Questions? Contact the Leaders Association Silent Auction Team at washingtoncty4hsilentauction@gmail.com

4-H Silent Auction Sign-Up

Club Booth Exhibit

4-H Club booths have traditionally followed the theme from Fall Forum. Last fall’s 2025 Fall Forum theme was “#4HBeyondReadytoLead“. 

For information about entering a Club Booth exhibit, please refer to the Washington County Fair’s premium book Dept 132 Jr Club Booths. Questions? Contact Tanya Becker at countyfair@wcfairpark.com or call (262) 677-5060 for assistance with your entries.

Information about the July 22 Style Show at the Fair

Parents are needed to help plan and coordinate the annual Style Show that takes place at the Washington County Fair tentatively scheduled for Wednesday evening, July 22. Please contact Susan Jahn if you are able to help: curt.sue.jahn@gmail.com or 262-677-3397

Discover how Washington County 4-H programming
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