This fair was sooooo much fun! The cattle and pigs were adorable and seeing the ribbons they had won was exciting. I only wish they had a petting zoo. I loved walking around and seeing all of the wares brought to the fair - from hand made jewelry to tapestries to wood signs and all kinds of beautiful trinkets! I really enjoyed the fried dough - fresh and hot and perfect with tons of powdered sugar! I played several games and won some prizes which was expensive but a fun time anyway. The only thing I did not do at this fair was ride the rides - they had all of the classics - the rock and roller, the zipper, the music express. This is a great place for a family to spend the day or the entire weekend! read more

Washington County Fair - Delicious dough boy - Local Flavor Near Me - Richmond, Rhode Island

Fair is fine, nothing to write home about. Music by the band AlterEgo was way too loud. All conversation was difficult once they started to play. I saw lots of people covering their ears with their hands. They are supposed to enhance the fair, not become the main event. Like most, when attending a fair I looked forward to fried dough. The fire department running the "Delicious Doughboys" spot must be reheating their product, or they don't know how to cook it. The worst fried dough I've ever had - overcooked and crunchy. They probably don't think anyone notices, we do. I also suspect they left the powdered sugar out in the rain, so it got wet and clumped together. Animal displays all good and free parking. read more

Great fair for RI! The admission price is a deal especially when you get a concert with that ticket. Lots of exhibits that you would expect to see. The FFA puts their talents to the test in a themed competition. 4H members get to show their hard work with livestock. There are pony and ox pulls along with various tractor pulls. Tons of organized kids game occur daily! Ride bracelets are $35 this year for the day; a bargain for sure. Fair food is served throughout. These booths are run by volunteers and the Fair is their major source of income for the year. Be sure to try several items, you won't be disappointed!! The Fair works to raise funds for Hasbro Children's Hospital. This year pairing with Rockwell Amusements you can make a $2 donation and ride the carousel for charity. Be sure to add a dollar or two into the donation jars at the food booths for Hasbro. While you are at it, visit the craft exhibits and check out all the handicrafts folks worked on this year, as well as some great photography. If you are a gardener be sure to walk through the agricultural building as well; this year's zucchini was over 7 pounds. This Fair is a Washington County tradition for over 50 years and depends on volunteers, who work for weeks in advance, to make this 5 day event come together. Yes, for sure, there are lots of other bigger fairs but you won't find another event with a bigger heart! There is one day left to the 2022 Fair, if you can't make it be sure to plan for Aug 16-20 in 2023!! read more

I will never return to this fair. The disability parking situation was shameful - as there werent enough disability parking spots on site (though there were we saw once the bus we had to take let us off) -- we had to take a bus to and from. It was unreal to see a large group of People with wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, and cognitive disability forced to stand up to 40 minutes in a dark crowded parking lot with nowhere to sit if needed. The bus driver was VERY nice and let some of the people on as soon as possible - but this fair needs to do better. No access bathrooms. Way too crowded for most disabled people to maneuver with any kind of ease. Yes it's a fair but this is beyond crowded - and I've been to many fairs in my life. Just...no. read more

I live in Hope Valley and look forward to the fair every year. I am disabled and within the past two years have required a wheelchair to get around. Both as a disabled person and an Advocate for disabled persons, I have to say how disappointing it has been to see the lack of accommodations that are available. It is difficult to push a wheelchair around the fairway, which itself is understandable. However, there was no accessibility for the use of a restroom for someone, such as myself, who needs a male caregiver to assist in using the bathroom. This year we were lucky enough to have an attendant and a Police officer who were caring enough assist us with allowing my husband to come into the women's bathroom, which made my husband very uncomfortable. Last year I hate to hold it until I got home, which is unhealthy for my condition, I had no choice. You also offer a pavilion specifically dedicated, and with posted notifications clearly posted that it is for wheelchairs/disable only. Again this is not enforced and myself and several others in wheelchairs were forced to either listen to the band while watching able bodied peoples backs, or pushing ourselves through. And by taking the action to go through those individuals we were greeted with disdain, and pushback. And some of the others in wheelchairs were afraid to say something. Luckily being an advocate I was unafraid to say anything. This is an area specified for people who cannot enjoy the music from lawn, why is it not enforced. And using the excuse that it cannot be watched all the time is not acceptable. We have the same rights as anyone else to be able to enjoy the fair. We pay money to get in just like everyone else. This broke my heart. I would love to help to make changes so that disabled persons can enjoy the fair without worry. If anyone from the fair reads this, please try to contact me. I know from the people that I spoke to that this is a problem that many are concerned about. read more

Always fun every time. They have so many rides and even things for little kids. The tickets are a little overpriced but definitely worth it.

This place is literally trash. My partner and I drove a half hour from providence and we did a drive by. It was not even worth getting out of the car. It looked like there were about 50 people in the venue and 300 cars parked--we were so confused! Why would you pay 11 dollars to go to the most unattractive looking state fair. It is not worth the drive or the money. Just save up your 11 dollars and put it towards going to the Big E or a happy meal from macdonalds. read more

Wow, what can you say about Washington County Fair? It is a truly unique experience especially for all you city dwellers. What could be better than tractor pulls, horse pulls, arm wrestling, dung throwing, pig tackling, rooster crowing, chainsaw carving, country music dancing hoe-down?!?! Why, people watching, of course! There's also your diverse selection of arts and crafts, some fantastic food venues as well as a variety of typical carnival rides and games. You'll find plenty of RI-made wares and foods. Doughboys, johnnycakes, and an assortment of ethnic foods too! There's nothing quite like fair and carnival food that reminds you of being a kid. read more

Bloomin' Onion! Like all Fairs - fooooood is amazing! Don't come here if you're halfway into your diet already. No way. Corn fritters! Smoked Turkey leg! Lemonade! Can't go wrong. It's always a good time here. I was fortunate enough to be working at the fair so I got to enjoy it at all hours for several days. It was always a good time! read more

Love the Washington County Fair and try to go every year. Parking is free and there is a $10 entrance fee. Too much for a small fair, you say? Consider that with that fee you get a daily concert of some country band/singer. The ones on the weekend are names you've at least heard of and most likely had some hits - this year it was Crystal Gale and Chuck Wicks. We've also seen Pam Tillis. The area for the concert is ideal. A natural ampitheatre on a small hill faces the stage. You bring in your own lawn chairs or blankets. Even if country is not your fave style, it's still a good time and everyone is having a blast. When the music isn't playing, this area is a perfect spot to relax in the shade (big pine trees cover the area) and chow down on all the yummy food offerings. Everything from johnny cakes to doughboys to dynamites to ....welll you name it! My personal fave are the addictive corn fritters...mmmmm. This year there was a really good cover band playing in the food area for a few hours - good for background listening. My few gripes? no horses except when they're showing them. Also, some of the food prices are a bit steep for families. You can eat cheap, but you have to work at it a bit! read more

This is a fun fair. I really love the animals, the tractor pulls, and the enthusiasm of everyone who works in the agricultural industry who is at the annual fair. The food this year was pretty good too. I'd love to see more educational booths that are specific to the agriculture of the area though. The Rhode Island Farm Bureau will be getting a donation from me this year. I love my farmers! read more

After driving an hour from East Providence and waiting in line for a half an hour we found that the ATM's out front were not only inoperative but we're debiting customers accounts without dispensing the money. Had a very angry child disappointed that we couldn't go to the fair without leaving to find another ATM, spending 20 minutes finding another parking spot and then another half hour in line to get in. If entrance requires cash, and you tell people ATM's are available at the entrance (and I called ahead to be sure), make sure they're either reliable or you've got a backup plan. Just glad I wasn't one of the people ahead of me who got robbed by the things. read more

The only reason I didn't give this one star is because it's a tradition for my family to go there which I look forward to. But this year I'm just disgusted with the place. Like 10 dollars wasn't enough to get in last year, now they jacked it up to 11 dollars this year.....really? Nothing new there, same old stuff. No new improvements either, the asphalt road going in needs to be replaced, it's horrible. They could at least make some upgrades around the place with all this extra money they are charging. Then all the food prices went up as well. Along with the astronomical prices of tickets for the rides. I've been going there for nearly 35 years, had a lot of great memories there. But now it just makes me sick what the people are charging for food, fun and the fair. read more

My biggest problem is the road in. On a Sunday, it is exactly one hour from the time you get off the highway until you hit the parking lot. And that's for about a 3 mile drive. That in itself had me in a horrific mood by the time I got there. Once you get inside, it's redneck central. If you're a big fan of that kind of thing, it's great. Monster trucks, "tractors" racing around an oval, but all so loud that small children don't want to go anywhere near that half of the fair. The chickens and pigs and cows and all that are neat. The rings to see the agricultural events are way too small though. People were standing five deep, so there was no way to see anything. Very few bathrooms but at the one main bathroom, the line moved at a decent pace. All food options are very carnival, ie. fried. Probably the closest thing to a healthy option was strawberry shortcake on a stale cake. Why do people walk around fairs and carnivals like they are the only one there? Just zipping around and expecting their family of five to keep up? And of course little seven year old Johnny just has to go in front of you to keep up with sprinting mom. Two sets of rides areas, one for the smaller kids and one for people more adult size. Each has probably 5 rides or so, that you need tickets for. The game barkers were pretty aggressive too. There are vendors selling stuff, but I didn't find any of them to be aggressive at all. Maybe because it was the last day and they were all tired of being there. All the Fair staff seemed to be very friendly. No complaints there. All that being said, I probably would go back, but never, NEVER on a weekend. It's a Wednesday through Sunday event, so next time it's Wednesday or Thursday for me. This traffic was just a nightmare. And it wasn't one time of the day either. I got in it at noon and when I left at 4:30, it was actually worse for the people heading in. read more

Even though this fair has good intentions, and we wanted to LOVE it, it fails miserably in more than a few ways. First, there are too many people Smoking around the kids. It's non stop smoking everywhere you go and it's horrifying to stand in line with your kids while the people in front of you, and in back of you, are chain smoking in front of their own children. Right next to an infant in her stroller. The whole scene is tragically trashy. You really want to love it but can't. Really Sad. We watched quite a few of the animals doing all they do. We liked that a lot. The pigs and piglets. the fowl barn, the sheep and goats. Very educational, really fun and interesting, until the young girl with her young calf started punching it in the face. Not simply adjusting the calves direction but closed fist punching. Pretty bad stuff, totally cruel and trashy. We left. After asking for someone to fill up our portable water bottles we use we discovered that there is No place to fill your water bottle. We even asked at the front office and were told it wasn't available, they don't provide anyplace to do so. If you get out into the world you'll find that providing water isn't unheard of and people actually appreciate it. We Need as much water as possible at all times because of health issues. It's mandatory for us. That was another really depressing thing about this fair. It's a time warp and in a not so great way. There were good things though. The kind folks who gave us two tickets to ride the roller coaster, right after we gave our friend two tickets for their kids! Good people! The fiber spinners in the barn were so kind and generous with us. They were funny and sweet and honestly loved what they were doing. There is a decent selection of rides for kids of all ages. The arts and crafts barn of homemade stuff was Cute as heck. Lots of country fried stuff in there and a lot of talented people put a lot of time into their entries. The Dahlia display and the veggies. good stuff. Overall, we can't go back. The cigarette smoking is a deal breaker. There is no fresh air at the place. I'd prefer the smell of dung over breathing YOUR coffin nail cancer stick smoke. It's just not a kid or family friendly event. It's probably time to get your head away from your "butts" and clean up the trashy smoking everywhere. read more

Great fun with the family. Fantastic variety of fair food! Rides are a plus. So much fun!

Great family fun! Can't wait till next year!

The Washington County Fair was an okay experience, but we will not be going back. It was our first and last time. The rides were fun and the food was good, the the smell of cigarette smoke was everywhere! As a non smoker with my non-smoking family,it was unbearable. Signs around the park clearly state NO SMOKING! When I asked the police officer if it was allowed, he said no,but it is kind of hard to stop, then laughed. Overall, it is a great fair for smokers. read more

This medium sized classic New England agricultural fair draws big crowds, so word to the wise - go early to avoid ruining your trip down as the line in snakes all the way back to the I-95 exit, creating a maddening "close yet so far" crawl into the fairgrounds parking lot, with it's single entrance. Once safely ensconced inside, you'll find the usual repertoire of fair staples. Find your way to the country store, where for a dollar you can have a ginormous and delicious traditional half sour pickle. Food offerings are reasonable, and the exhibits and entertainment are fairly standard, with little to distinguish. For those liking the thrill of the amusement rides, the Midway is relatively large for a fair this size. For a better overall fair experience, try Durham, Brooklyn or Woodstock (all in CT). And of course, there's always the Big E. All told, we'll probably happen back here every 3 yrs or so. read more

I love it, but I wish that they would continue to improve. I saw over the years that they began to improve in ways and was getting excited that they were becoming bigger and better. Last year was a disappointment. Most of the staff theat I met there didn't show an interest that they wanted to be there. The number of animals also went back down as did some attractions. read more