Washington County Fair will host concert this year

WASHINGTON — In its everlasting quest to add new events and attractions, the Washington County Fair Board plans to hold a free pre-fair concert for the first time this year, scheduled from 7-10 p.m. at the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 13.

Eli Alger and The Faster Horses will play at the Lions Stage, where organizers said they’d set up a concession stand and a beer garden. Fair high-ups say they hope the event will serve as a “kickoff celebration” ahead of the week that spotlights 4-H, FFA, and a wide variety of entertainment options.

“We’re always looking for different things we can bring to the fair, new things,” said Washington County Fair Board Member Chris Graf. “This was just kind of an event that fell together … and we try to bring something new and fresh to the fair every year.”

Graf said the concert took serious planning to organize. The Saturday event in the middle of the fairgrounds has bumped up the deadline for any last-minute fair preparations, and arranging for vendors and alcohol sales added plenty to the board’s to-do list.

While Washington County has no long-term plan to compete with star-studded shows like Jones and Clay counties, Graf said he hoped the low-key event would fit local tastes well.

“We’re not set up to bring in … several hundred thousand dollars of equipment and acts and things like that, it’s not like that’s the end goal,” he said. “It’s more so to have some good entertainment, a good social event to get everyone together and celebrate the fair.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com