Sep 26, 2024 2 min read

As a former Washington County resident and fair board director, I wish to commend the Washington County Agricultural Fair board and the Washington County Commissioners.

The Washington County Fair continues to showcase a rich and professional agricultural environment as well as events preserving the diverse communities throughout the county.

One of those events is the high school band night followed by the school bus demolition derby. As a former fair director of the high school band event, I visited a county fair with a bus demolition derby. I asked our fair board if we could incorporate a school bus demolition derby event after the bands completed their program. With the help of the fair board, the band directors, and especially the high school band students, the Washington County Fair’s school bus demolition derby was born with a bus representing each performing band. The school bus drivers who volunteered for this maiden derby were fondly called “Betty’s dirty dozen.”

This event has evolved throughout the years, creating enthusiasm within our communities. This year, one of the participants was Superintendent Scott Martin of the Bentworth School District. A cancer survivor and one of the drivers, Martin definitely showed “purpose, passion, pride” for his community, as well as those attending the fair. He brought a new level of excitement and leadership to this event.

What an enjoyable evening with the high school bands performing, the school bus demolition derby, the many contests, the judging of livestock and exhibits plus the carnival.

The values of tradition are alive and well at the Washington County Agricultural Fair as they celebrate their 226 years. A tremendous thank you should go out to all who made the fair a success throughout the years, especially its board, the county’s commissioners and its residents..

Betty Camden

Winter Garden, Fla.