Participants in the 2024 Wirt County Fair participate in the Livestock Show and Showmanship for Hogs. This year’s hog showing will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6. The Livestock Sale will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8. The Wirt County Fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth. (Photo Provided)

ELIZABETH — The 2025 Wirt County Fair is celebrating its 65th year.

The fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth.

Debbie Hennen, one of the fair organizers, said the fair has been a staple in the community for many years.

“In this day and age, it is pretty amazing,” Hennen said. “We’ve got tremendous volunteer staff that have helped us make it to where we are.

“Every year that we are here, we are grateful and blessed because there are a lot of fairs that are having difficulties. We are blessed that we are continuing to promote agriculture in Wirt County and the surrounding counties as well as help support our youth through 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America).”

The Wirt County Fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth. The fair is celebrating its 65th year with commemorative crocks for sale. (Photo Provided)

Many of the vendors are local groups raising money, so there is a sense of community about the fair, Hennen said.

She highlighted the annual Children’s Business Fair 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday where young kids set up in the show ring and sell things they have made like homemade soap, bracelets or dog treats, among others. Around 20 kids will be participating.

“They are there to start learning how to be an entrepreneur,” Hennen said.

New this year will be a Pit Bike, ATV, Side-by-Side scramble at 7 p.m. Thursday at the track.

Wednesday night pageants also will recognize all past queens who are present.

The Wirt County Fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth. Organizers said the fair, which is commemorating its 65th year, continues to be a community event that helps promote local youth. (Photo Provided)

The greased pig contest at 5 p.m. Thursday is a throwback contest from years ago at the fair.

Commemorative crocks and cookbooks to celebrate the anniversary also will be available.

Organizers will serve cake 8:15 p.m. Thursday at the Pavillion to commemorate the fair’s anniversary.

Every year, it is the people in the community who continue to make the fair a success, Hennen said.

“Despite the heat and the rain, they still show up,” she said.

The Wirt County Fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth. The fair is celebrating its 65th year with a commemorative cookbook. (Photo Provided)

Daily general admission is $8 for ages 3 and up, free for children 2 and under. Season tickets are $27.

The carnival will be open 4-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 1-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Saturday. Carnival rides are included in daily admission.

More information about the Wirt County Fair is available at wirtcountyfair.com.

Fair Schedule

TUESDAY, Aug. 5

Isaac Blair, left, aka Balloon Boy, works on a balloon sculpture for a customer at the 2023 Wirt County Fair during the Children’s Business Expo while his brother, Nathanael, digs for another balloon. The 2025 Wirt County Fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth and will feature another Children’s Business Expo where kids can sell things they have made. About 20 kids are scheduled to participate. (File Photo)

* 4-8 p.m.: Enter Exhibits (Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday)

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 6

* 9 a.m.: Gate Opens

* 1 p.m.: Judging of Exhibits Begins

* 2 p.m.: Livestock Show & Showmanship – Rabbits

Jason Williams, left, tosses a beanbag during a game of cornhole with fellow Elizabeth resident Anthony Garner during the 2023 Wirt County Fair. The 2025 Wirt County Fair will be held Aug. 6-9 at Camp Barbe 4-H campgrounds near Elizabeth. (File Photo)

* 3 p.m.: Youth Contests

* 4 p.m.: Carnival Opens

* 5 p.m.: Registration – Truck Pulls – Track

* 5:30 p.m.: Flag Raising & Dedication of the Fair

* 5:45 p.m.: WCHS Band Concert

* 6 p.m.: Bingo

* 6:15 p.m.: Little Miss – Mister Wirt Co. Fair Pageant – Pavilion

* 7 p.m.: Livestock Show & Showmanship – Hogs

* 7 p.m.: Truck Pulls – Track

* 7:15 p.m.: Miss Wirt County Fair Princess & Teen Pageants – Pavilion

* 8:15 p.m.: Queen of the Fair Pageant – Pavilion

* 10 p.m.: Carnival Closes

THURSDAY, Aug. 7 (Senior Citizens Day – $5 until 6 p.m.)

* 9 a.m.: Gate Opens

* 3 p.m.: Youth Contests

* 4 p.m.: Carnival Opens

* 4 p.m.: Registration – Greased Pig Contest – Track

* 5 p.m.: Greased Pig Contest – Track

* 6 p.m.: Music – JUNCTION 144 – Pavilion

* 6 p.m.: Bingo

* 6 p.m.: Registration – Pit Bike/ATV/Side-by-Side Races – Track

* 6 p.m.: Livestock Show & Showmanship Beef, Sheep & Goats

* 7 p.m.: Pit Bike/ATV/Side-by-Side Races – Track

* 7:30 p.m.: Music – TRACK 9 – Pavilion

* 8:15 p.m.: 65th Year Celebration – Cake – (Pavilion)

* 8:45 p.m.: Music – TRACK 9 – Pavilion

* 10 p.m.: Carnival Closes

FRIDAY, Aug. 8

* 9 a.m. Gate Opens

* 10 a.m. – Noon Enter Flower Exhibits

* 1 p.m. Judging of the Flower Show

* 3 p.m. Youth Contest

* 4 p.m. Carnival Opens

* 5 p.m. Registration – Look Alike Contest – Pavilion

* 5 p.m. Registration – Garden Tractor Pulls – Small Track

* 6 p.m. Bingo

* 6 p.m. Registration – 4X4 Jamboree – Track

* 6 p.m. Mother & Daughter Look Alike Contest – Pavilion

* 6 p.m. Garden Tractor Pulls – Small Track

* 6:15 p.m. Registration – Puppy Pageant – Pavilion

* 6:30 p.m. Puppy Pageant – Pavilion

* 6:30 p.m. LIVESTOCK SALE

* 7:00 p.m. 4X4 JAMBOREE – Track

* 8:30 p.m. RIDGELINE BAND – Pavilion

* 11:00 p.m. Carnival Closes

SATURDAY, August 9

* 8:00 a.m.: Gate Opens

* 9:00 a.m.: Noon Registration – Mud Bog – Track

* 10:00 a.m.: Cornhole Tournament – Pavilion Yard

* 10:00-10:45 a.m.: Registration – Pretty Baby Contest (Infant) – Dining Hall

* 11:00-11:45 a.m. Registration – Pretty Baby Contest (Toddler) – Dining Hall

* 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Children’s Business Fair

* 11:00 a.m.:Pretty Baby Contest – Pavilion

* 1:00 p.m.: Bingo

* 1:00 p.m.: Carnival Opens

* 1:00 p.m.: Watermelon Eating Contest

* 1:00 p.m.: MUD BOG – Track

* 2:00 p.m.: Mullet Contest – Pavilion

* 2:30 p.m.: Beard Contest – Pavilion

* 3:00 p.m.: Youth Contest

* 4:00 p.m.: Registration – Kiddie Pedal Pull – Pavilion

* 4:30 p.m.: Kiddie Pedal Pull – Pavilion

* 4:30 p.m.: Carnival Closes

* 5:30 p.m.: Skillet Throwing Contest

* 5:30 p.m.: Carnival Reopens

* 6:30 p.m.: Haybale Throwing Contest

* 7:30 p.m.: Nail Driving Contest – Showring

* 8:30 p.m.: Music – WILD RIDE BAND – Pavilion

* 9:00 p.m.: Claiming of Exhibits

* 10:00 p.m.: FIREWORKS

* 11:00 p.m.: Carnival Closes