County fairs help the economy grow

County fairs are an annual tradition in Washington County, and even if you have never placed a boot on a farm, the experience of attending a fair allows us to reconnect with our agricultural heritage and reminds us of the hard-working people bringing food to our tables.

However, fairs are also economic drivers, and a recent study by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture demonstrates that fairs have a significant impact on our local and statewide economies.

The study that was recently announced by Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at the 2025 Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs Convention found that Pennsylvania’s 107 county and local fairs contribute $1.14 billion to the state’s economy annually. As part of the state’s overall $76 billion tourism industry, the study found that fairs support nearly 11,000 full-time jobs and attract four million visitors a year. These impressive numbers are complemented by visitors spending $673 million in rural communities where fairs are mostly held and generating $21.2 million in tax revenue annually.

The report also examined six case studies to further illustrate the economic impact of fairs from varying areas and sizes across the state. The Washington County Agricultural Fair was utilized as one of the examples, highlighting both its influence and significance to our local economy. The results were equally impressive.

The annual economic impact of the Washington County Agricultural Fair, which recently celebrated its 225th anniversary, was estimated at almost $23 million. It supports over 200 jobs with $8 million in earnings. According to the study, the fair’s estimated annual attendance is nearly 65,000, which accounts for approximately $11.1 million in visitor spending. It is also important to note that the fair is organized by a dedicated group of volunteers and is supported by local companies in business sectors such as energy, banking, equipment providers, and manufacturers as well as health care, auto dealers, utilities, and real estate.

When the study was unveiled, Redding commented that “county and local fairs are where agriculture and tourism meet” and this confluence of farming and economy is fully supported by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency. We remain committed partners of both the Washington County Agricultural Fair and West Alexander Fair by promoting these wonderful events, expanding their market reach, and investing in their long-term capital improvements. This collaboration has achieved results by attracting larger local crowds as well as welcoming visitors from nearby counties and neighboring states like Ohio and West Virginia.

Our local fairs are a significant part of Washington County’s own $700 million local tourism economy and goes to show that all those funnel cakes really do add up.

Jeff Kotula is the president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency.