General Questions
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 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 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. Parking will be free of charge on July 24-July 27. 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/Hillsboro Airport Max Station and it's a short walk to our entrance gates. 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/Hillsboro Airport Max Station right on the MAX Blue line! It's a great option to use to visit us and a very short walk to our entrance gates. 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 Westside Commons, home of the Washington County Fair.
When is the Fair open?
We have expanded up to being a 10-day Fair from a 4-day Fair and with that comes varying hours. Up above on this website, click "Information" to see the hours for each day we are open. PLEASE NOTE: "No First Entry or Re-Entry" from a specified time onward means if you are already in the Fair prior to the specified time listed for that date, you can continue your visit until the hour we close that day, but no one will be allowed to enter, or re-enter from the specified time onward.
What is the No First-Entry/No Re-Entry time all about?
This is all part of the security measures we have in place for the Fair in the late evening hours. "No First Entry or Re-Entry" from a specified time onward means if you are already IN the Fair prior to the specified "No First Entry or Re-Entry" time listed for that date, you can continue your visit until the hour we close that day, but no one will be allowed to enter the Fair, or re-enter from the specified time onward. This even includes leaving and going to a vehicle in the parking lot to get something.
Will water be available at the Fair?
Drinking fountains are located in the hallway of the Wingspan Event and Conference Center near the Expo Hall. The City of Hillsboro Water Department/Joint Water Commission has its Filling Station located near the Duck Races. The Tualatin Valley Water District, will have its water-filling station in our Expo Hall. 2 additional water-bottle filling stations sponsored by Spa Logic Hot Tubs & Swim Spas, will be located outdoors near the carnival midway. Each person entering the Fair is allowed to bring in one empty water bottle (no glass.) that is smaller than 32 ounces. Your own "hydroflask" is fine with regards to our definition of a water bottle as long as it is under 32 ounces.
Is there a place to get out of the heat?
Yes, our Wingspan Event and Conference Center is air-conditioned and is a great option for getting away from the heat. We also have a lot of shade out on the grounds and many dining tents where you can get out of the sun along with the dining area under Friendship Square.
What can I bring into the Fair?
For everyone's safety and enjoyment, all guests and their personal possessions may be subject to an inspection prior to admittance into the Fair. We encourage you to “Go Bagless” to the Fair, and not bring with you a backpack, purse, or tote bag, etc., because that will require you to go through the Bag Inspection process. We will have a Bagless Express Lane at each entrance for those who are not bringing a bag in with them. Each person is allowed to bring in one empty water bottle (no glass) as long as it is under 32 ounces in size. Other than that, no outside food or beverages are allowed into the Fair. Exceptions are: Bottles/sippy cups for small children, bag lunches for pre-authorized school and day camps (no glass containers,) and those who have medical dietary needs, but there can be no glass containers with the exception of small baby food jars. The following items are prohibited from the Fair in general: (If you have a question regarding prohibited items please call the Fair office at 503-648-1416) Tripods, monopods, and Selfie-Sticks, glass containers except for small baby food jars, drones, all umbrellas including patio umbrellas, tarps, pop-up canopies, camping tents, fireworks, sparklers, flares, laser lights/pointers, smoke bombs, bicycles, unicycles, non-medical scooters, skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, any footwear with wheels, hovering travel devices, e-bikes, mopeds, hoverboards, Segways, one-wheels, any Motorized/Electric transport device, throwing toys including balls and Frisbees, play-pens, coolers larger than 12” x 18”, noisemakers including thunder sticks, musical instruments including drums, whistles, air horns, boom boxes, weapons of any kind (or objects that appear to be weapons) including but not limited to--knives, chains, ammunition, impact weapons including clubs or batons, brass knuckles, handcuffs, electronic control devices such as tasers and stun guns, chemical agents such as mace and pepper spray, alcoholic beverages, marijuana, narcotics, or any other illegal substances, 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, or 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.
Can I ride my bike or e-bike inside the Fair beyond the gates as well as a unicycle, scooter, skateboard, roller blades, roller skates, footwear with wheels, Segway, "One-Wheel", or hovering transportation devices?
No you cannot. If you ride your bike to the Fair, it has to be parked in the bike rack area near the Wingspan Event and Conference Center, and it is your responsibility to bring your own lock if you want to secure it. We also do not allow any of the other items mentioned above to go inside beyond the gates, and it is your responsibility to secure those devises should you choose to leave them at a gate. No one, including the security personnel, are assigned to guard them for you.
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.
Where is the First Aid Station located?
The First Aid Station is near the Customer Service/Information Booth, outdoors just as you exit the big roll-up doors out of the Expo Hall of the Wingspan Event and Conference Center.
Where is "Lost and Found" and where are lost children taken?
Lost and Found is located at the Customer Service/Information Booth. When a child is discovered to be separated from the adults the child came to the Fair with, security personnel or Fair Staff will bring the child to the Customer Service/Information Booth and then Sheriff's Deputies on-site will be contacted and they will come to the booth and take responsibility for the child at that time. If you discover your child is missing, go to the Customer Service/Information booth and the Staff will alert security personnel.
What number can I dial for Lost and Found?
July 21 through July 30, while the Fair is still underway, you can dial Lost and Found at 971-389-2512 during the hours the Fair is open and someone in our Customer Service/Information Booth will check the Lost and Found for you. After July 30, 2023, call 503-648-1416 (Westside Commons Office, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and someone can help you.
Can I smoke or vape at the Fair?
No, smoking and vaping (meaning the use of e-cigarettes) is not allowed on the entire Westside Commons 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 Westside Commons property including all parking lots.
Are ATMs available at the Fair?
Yes, you can find an ATM in 3 different locations on the grounds: In the lobby of the new Wingspan Event & Conference Center, outside the Northwest Roll-up door of the Expo Hall at the Wingspan Event and Conference Center, and at the south end of the Carnival Midway.
Carnival Questions
What is this wristband system all about in the Carnival Midway and why am I being charged a Service Fee?
Our Carnival Contractor, Butler Amusements, has expanded its electronic ticketing system this year. In previous years, Butler brought in stand-alone kiosks, hardware, and software in order to move towards a cashless, modern, Midway. The system Butler Amusements used in 2018 through 2022, relied on having multiple ticket sellers in boxes to make the monetary transaction when a wristband was purchased. Customers used a reloadable card for the individual tickets and if they purchased unlimited rides they also purchased a separate wristband. This year Butler Amusements has started a new partnership with "Magic Money." The Magic Money electronic system is a fully self-serve, intuitive system for customers to use and allows all rides and game plays from a single, reloadable wristband. The Magic Money system does not require the need for Ticket Sellers, however, for customer satisfaction, Butler has "Ticket Ambassadors" stationed near the large kiosks to answer questions and assist customers with this self-serve system. 2023 is the first year Butler Amusements is using the Magic Money system company-wide at all events/Fairs they serve. Butler Amusements does not own the Magic Money hardware, software, or their support system. Instead, the Magic Money system charges a $2 Service Fee for each wristband purchase. The fee is collected by the system and goes directly to Magic Money. The fee is only applied to initial on-site wristband purchases. There is no service fee for reloading a wristband with additional purchases.
How much will the Unlimited Ride passes be once the Fair opens?
When the Fair is underway, the Unlimited Ride passes will cost $33.00 each plus the wristband Service Fee, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays, and then they will cost $38.00, each, plus the Service Fee on Saturdays and Sundays. The Unlimited Ride Pass is only good for a single day: The day you purchase them at the Fair. They do not transfer to another day.
If I don't want to buy an Unlimited Ride Pass, what will the Ride tickets cost once I get to the Fair?
Individual Ride tickets are $1.00 each. All rides require between 3 to 5 ride tickets each, and keep in mind: All carnival midway purchases will be on a wristband this year that you will purchase at a self-serve kiosk. You will make your "ticket" purchase at one of the kiosks in the Carnival Midway and that purchase will print out as a wristband that will have a Service Fee charged to it as well. There is no Service Fee charged if you decide to "refill" the wristband by making an additional purchase.
What if I have a safety concern while I am in the carnival midway?
Our carnival operator, Butler Amusements, takes ride safety seriously. Daily inspections, reports, and constant supervision are all part of the Butler Safety Program, along with many additional precautions taken to make sure every ride operation is safe. If you have a safety concern, please immediately report unsafe conditions to the Midway Customer Service Office immediately.