The midway lights flip on at 3 p.m. Tuesday as the 168th Washington County Fair opens at Washington County Fair Park in the Town of Polk, just outside West Bend. The six day run stretches through Sunday and packs in carnival rides, livestock exhibits, nightly music tents and a fireworks show to wrap up opening night. Most fairgoers can walk in for a $5 Tuesday special, and children 6 and under get in free.
What’s on the schedule
Local and regional acts will spread out across multiple stages while the Silver Lining Amphitheater reserves its spotlight for national headliners later in the week. On Tuesday, the fair’s daily program has the West Bend Dance Team, Goodtime Dutchmen, Anthony Nix and the Judson Brown Duo on the docket, with a fireworks display at dusk to close the night, according to Washington County Fair.
Traffic, gates and access changes
Fair organizers are warning drivers to expect detours and new patterns around the grounds during peak hours. Access from Highway PV will be funneled to Bob Fish Boulevard, and traffic from Highway P will be routed to the North Gate on Ring Road. Fair officials told Greater Milwaukee Today that Gate 11 will not serve as a public entrance this year, while Gate 12 has been expanded. Buses and handicap vehicles will use designated entry points to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible.
Tickets, rides and parking
Daily fair hours and carnival ride times shift by day. Gates open at 3 p.m. Tuesday, with most carnival rides spinning up later that afternoon. General admission pricing, wristband deals and parking rules are laid out on the fair’s ticket page. Tuesday general admission is $5, adult tickets are $12 on Wednesday and Sunday and $15 on Thursday through Saturday. Reserved parking lots are available for $20 per day, while general parking remains free, according to Washington County Fair.
4‑H and community programming
4‑H is still at the heart of fair week. Many 4‑H projects are judged the day before the fair officially opens, and the organization helps run exhibits, food stand shifts and a full slate of youth events inside the Ziegler expo building. Fair manager Tanya Becker and Extension staff are urging exhibitors to double check rules and deadlines before arriving, per Extension Washington County.
Plan ahead
Expect heavier traffic on busy evenings, roughly 5 to 8 p.m., along with limited reserved parking and longer waits to exit lots after headliner shows. Shuttle service, drop off points and accessible parking are in place to help. For last minute updates or specific questions, fairgoers are directed to contact the Fair Park office, per the Fair Park & Conference Center site.
