CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Whether you’re showing off an award-worthy quilt or enjoying carnival rides with friends, there’s something for everyone at the Washington County Fair. This year’s event will be held April 12-20 at Washington County Legacy Park in Hurricane.
Offering exciting entertainment and affordable fun for the whole family, the Washington County Fair is back in a big way for its 164th edition. Along with favorite attractions like the fireworks show and demolition derby, this year’s concert lineup will feature three headline performances for the first time ever.
“The last several years, we’ve done a Friday night concert,” fair director Susi Lafaele said. “This year, we decided that with us expanding the fair from four days to eight, why don’t we just do three nights of concerts?”
Tracy Byrd with Little Texas on Wednesday, April 17
Multiplatinum recording artist Tracy Byrd burst onto the country music scene in 1992 with the release of his self-titled, gold-certified debut album and the No. 1 hit “Holdin’ Heaven.” He has continued to write, record and play shows across America, charting another No. 1 song in 2002 with “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo” and winning the 1996 Academy of Country Music Awards Song of the Year for “The Keeper of the Stars.”
Joining Byrd onstage at the Washington County Fair is special guest Little Texas, a group that has brought their brand of classic rock-influenced country to the world since 1991. The band has sold over 7 million records, earned three Grammy nominations and won the ACM Vocal Group of the Year as well as Album of the Year at the Country Music Awards.
Iam Tongi on Thursday, April 18
Hawaii native Iam Tongi captured the hearts of viewers nationwide on his way to winning the 21st season of “American Idol.” His audition, a cover of James Blunt’s “Monsters” that he dedicated to his late father, brought judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan to tears and quickly became a viral sensation. With over 25 million YouTube hits, it’s now the most-watched “American Idol” audition of all time.
Tongi’s island influences permeate every note he sings, and the quiet yet powerful maturity in this 19-year-old’s voice is unparalleled. Taking listeners on an emotional journey, he continues to strike a chord with audiences everywhere. His debut single, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock Digital Songs Sales chart in 2023.
Eli Young Band on Friday, April 19
The Grammy-nominated Eli Young Band has always been unique in modern country music – a true band of brothers who play their own instruments, write their own songs and stay faithful to their Texas roots. Lead singer Mike Eli founded the band with guitarist James Young, bassist Jon Jones and drummer Chris Thompson at the University of North Texas in 2000, steadily building a grassroots following that propelled four platinum-selling singles to the top of the country charts.
The trailblazing group has come a long way since, collecting such accolades as Billboard’s No. 1 Country Song of the Year and the ACM Award for Song of the Year with “Crazy Girl,” plus racking up over 2 billion streams to earn Pandora Billionaire status. Even through sonic evolutions and shifts within the country music industry, their passionate fanbase has only continued to grow.
Each concert starts at 8 p.m. Concert tickets start at $25 for reserved seating in the bleachers, or you can get closer to the stage with standing-room-only tickets for $39. The VIP experience, which includes premier tickets to all three concerts plus the rodeo and demolition derby, also provides access to the VIP tent and a hot catered meal each night. Click here to purchase tickets.
Admission to the fair will be free between 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, only. Otherwise, general admission costs $2 per adult and $1 per child (ages 3-12) at the gate. Parking is free.
The Washington County Fair has been an integral part of Southern Utah for over a century, ever since the area’s early settlers opened their homes to display agricultural products. Although the location, entertainment and displays have changed throughout the decades, one thing remains the same: the fair is an event that brings the entire community together.
“It’s a tradition that locals look forward to each year,” Lafaele said. “There’s plenty of different things to see and do for all ages.”
View a complete schedule of events at the fair website, or call the 24/7 information hotline at 435-652-5899 to learn more.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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