General Questions
When is the Fair open?
The Fair is open from 10 AM to 12 Midnight each day of our current dates There is no entry or re-entry after 10 PM. What this means is: If you are already in the Fair prior to 10 PM, you can continue your visit until 12 Midnight, but no one will be allowed to enter the Fair after 10 PM.
How much does it cost to park at the Fair and is the parking ticket good all day?
Parking at the Fair costs $10 for passenger vehicles and $15 for over-sized vehicles and buses. The parking ticket is good for all day on the day it was purchased, meaning you can leave the Fair and return later and, as long as you retain your parking ticket, you will be able to show it to the parking attendant, and be admitted to the lot. PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING YOUR VEHICLE AT HOME AND FINDING AN ALTERNATE WAY TO GET TO THE FAIR THAN DRIVING YOUR OWN CAR THAT YOU THEN HAVE TO PARK. Our lots get very full. Consider carpooling, or taking Mass Transit. The Trimet Blue Line on MAX stops at the Fair Complex Station and it's a short walk to the Main Gate or we have free shuttle service. Also see down further in this FAQ about where we recommend you direct a Ride Share Service like Uber or Lyft to drop you off.
Is there a way to use mass transit to get to the Fair?
YES, and we encourage it!! You can take MAX and we have the Fair Complex Station right on the MAX Blue line! It's a great option to use to visit us! We even provide you with a free shuttle ride directly to and from the Fair Main Gate. You can also take TriMet Bus Line 48-Cornell and get off on Cornell at 34th Avenue right in front of the Hillsboro Airport and the Fair Complex.
Is there a designated parking lot for those taking a Ride Share service to the Fair, like Uber or Lyft?
We are strongly urging all using a Ride Share service to use our West parking lot on 28th Avenue. The paved driveway for this lot sits across from MotoSport Hillsboro, who's address is 809 NE 28th Avenue, Hillsboro 97124. The challenge we have is that we sit on a huge piece of property with many acres surrounded by roads on all sides of it BUT we have just 1 single address for the property which is 873 NE 34th Avenue, and if you search for directions with that address, you will be directed into the heavy congested traffic area of our Main Parking Lots and the Ride Share drivers will get stuck in those long traffic lines. If they go to the West lot, across from MotoSport Hillsboro, it will be much easier for them. You will enter the Fair and exit via the Cloverleaf Gate if you use that lot.
What can I bring into the Fair?
For everyone's safety and enjoyment, all guests and their personal possessions are subject to an inspection prior to admittance into the Fair. Each person is allowed to bring in one sealed or empty water bottle (no glass). Other than that, no outside food or beverages are allowed into the Fair or arena/concert venues. Exceptions are: Bottles/sippy cups for small children, bag lunches for pre-authorized school and day camps, and those who have medical dietary needs. Extremely large purses may be inspected more closely than others, but we are not banning all purses as some venues do. The following items are prohibited from the concert venue and/or arena or the Fair in general: (If you have a question regarding prohibited items please call the Fair office at 503-648-1416) Drones, all umbrellas including patio umbrellas, tarps, pop-up canopies, camping tents, fireworks, sparklers, flares, laser lights/pointers, smoke bombs, bicycles, non-medical scooters, skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, hovering travel devices, throwing toys including balls and Frisbees, play-pens, coolers, musical instruments including drums, large bags, weapons including pocket knives, illegal drugs, any item that is dangerous, hazardous and/or illegal, or that may be used as a weapon or a missile is prohibited, and any item that may compromise or otherwise interfere with the enjoyment, comfort, or safety of, or pose a hazard to, any person, security at the venue. SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE TO SEE AN EXPLANATION OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR POLICY ON WEAPONS AND OUTSIDE ALCOHOL.
Will water be available at the Fair?
Water will be sold for $2.00 at all Beverage Stations. Additionally, each person entering the Fair is allowed to bring in one sealed or empty water bottle (no glass.)
Can I bring my dog or pet to the Fair?
Only service animals are permitted. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal in Title II and Title III, as of March 15, 2011, as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals either. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. It does not matter if a person has a note from a doctor that states that the person has a disability and needs to have the animal for emotional support. A doctor’s letter does not turn an animal into a service animal." In addition to the provisions about service dogs, the revised ADA regulations have a new, separate provision about miniature horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. (Miniature horses generally range in height from 24 inches to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.) Four assessment factors determine whether miniature horses can be accommodated. The assessment factors are (1) whether the miniature horse is housebroken; (2) whether the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; (3) whether the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight; and (4) whether the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility.
Can I smoke or vape at the Fair?
No, smoking and vaping (meaning the use of e-cigarettes) is not allowed on the Fair Complex property, which means it is also not allowed anywhere at the Washington County Fair. As of October 1, 2014, Washington County imposed a "Smoke-Free/Vape-Free" policy upon all of its' "Campuses" and this included all of the Washington County Fair Complex property.
Can I bring a chair or a stroller for a child into the concert venue?
Yes, you can bring in regular-sized folding camp/lawn chairs if you did not buy a Reserved Seat and your ticket is for the General Admission open grass area. The Pat Benatar concert in 2019 will only be a General Admission concert with no Reserved Seating section. Blankets and beach towels are also fine to bring in to the General Admission area as long as they are no larger than 4' x 6'. Strollers are fine to bring in as well. In the GA section the stroller can be where your chair or blanket is with no problem. If you have Reserved Seats, there's not a designated Stroller Parking Area, but there are plenty of places where you can park the stroller within the back of the concert seating area. The stroller cannot be brought into the Reserved Seat Section. Children 2 and under are admitted to the Reserved Seat Section for Lap-Seating Only. Any child older than 2 must have a ticket purchased for him or her for a Reserved Seat.
What if I want to gather signatures for a political purpose or for something of a non-commercial nature?
Under the Fair Board's "Advertising, Canvassing, or Soliciting" policy, any person or group canvassing, soliciting, or disseminating materials of a NON-COMMERCIAL nature, must fill out a registration form and submit it, along with a copy of each item to be distributed, petition to be signed, or any other materials to be used, AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR. Materials not submitted at least 24 hours in advance shall not be used. The registration form is available by clicking on the link down below on this page. The location for those who register to gather signatures or to pass out information of a non-commercial nature, will be located just outside the Main Gate at the Fair and a table and 2 chairs will be provided.
Where is "Lost and Found" and where are lost children taken?
Lost and Found is located at the Customer Service Office near the Main Gate. When a child is discovered to be separated from the adults he or she came to the Fair with, security personnel or Fair Staff will bring the child to the Fair Customer Service Office located by the Main Gate. If you discover your child is missing, go to the Customer Service Office Window. If your child is not already waiting there for you at the office, Staff will alert security personnel.
Carnival Questions
When will the discount pre-sale of the Unlimited Ride Wristbands start and end?
The online-only discounted pre-sale of the Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands will start at 10 AM on Monday, November 26, 2018, and end at Midnight on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, meaning your last day to get the discount is Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Once the clock strikes Midnight, and it's July 25, the online sale will end. The wristbands will be $28.00 each during the online pre-sale, then they will cost $30.00 each on Thursday and Friday, July 25 and July 26, and they will cost $35.00 each on Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and July 28. From July 25-July 28, 2019 you will only be able to buy wristbands once you get to the Fair at one of the Carnival Midway ticket booths.
Are the Unlimited Ride Wristbands I buy online good for any day of the Fair?
Yes, they are good for any single day, but a single wristband cannot be used for more than one day, meaning if you wanted to come to the Fair every day, you would need to buy 4 ride wristbands so that you had one to cover each of the 4 days of the Fair. When you make your online purchase, you will be able to print a "ticket" with a bar code on your home printer (or save it to your iPhone "Passbook") that you will present to the Ticket Booth in the Carnival Midway once you get to the Fair on whichever day you choose to come, July 25 through July 28, 2019. At the ticket booth in the Carnival Midway, the attendant will scan your printed or Passbook ticket to verify it, and then it will be exchanged for the wristband(s) you purchased.
How much will the Unlimited Ride Wristbands be once the Fair opens?
When the Fair is underway, the Unlimited Ride Wristbands will cost $30.00 each on July 25 and July 26, Thursday and Friday, and then they will cost $35.00 each on July 27 and July 28, 2019, Saturday and Sunday. The day you are at the Fair, you will be able to ride as many rides as you can fit in from Noon, when the carnival rides start operating, until 12 AM when the Fair closes.
Will credit and debit cards be accepted within the Carnival Midway?
Yes. Butler Amusements is introducing an exciting new way to enjoy the Carnival at the 2018 Washington County Fair. You will have the option of purchasing Smart Cards at their ticket booths and their new Self-Service Ticket Kiosks. The Ticket Kiosks will allow you to purchase "Smart Cards" and then add a monetary value to the Smart Card and you will be able to track your usage and balance. The Unlimited Ride Wristbands will work as they always have: You will only be able to purchase those at a Carnival Ticket Booth.