Washington Parish Free Fair President Cole Ladner is pleased to announce that the “fair with the picnic spirit” is adding an additional day for visitors to enjoy. The 2019 fair will be open on Sunday for the first time in the fair’s 108 year history.

Ladner and the other members of the executive committee cite high demand for an additional day of the fair experience as the motivating factor in the decision.

“Each year we all get many requests from fair-goers that they have the entire weekend to enjoy the fair and not just Saturday,” Ladner said. “The Mighty Thomas Carnival is unable to arrive and safely set-up prior to Wednesday morning, so Sunday seems the best choice.”

The proposal was presented to committee chairmen and other board members at the regular February meeting and was a near-unanimous decision by the fair leadership. Since many have mentioned concerns about church services, there will be a community, non-denominational service held at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning at the main stage.

Planners are hoping to add a community-wide gospel choir to provide the music for the service and also hope to afford the carnival workers, rodeo participants and others the opportunity to the religious service before the fair kicks off its final hours at noon on Sunday.

“We are aware that this decision affects committees, volunteers, and exhibitors as well as those who own camping facilities and local law enforcement,” Ladner said. “Our hope is that the next five months will give all involved with the fair a chance to work out any logistical issues that may arise by adding this extra day.

“The fair committee looks at this as an outstanding opportunity to show off our unique fair to many more people who will choose to visit on Sunday.”

In the upcoming weeks, the stage committee will be officially announcing the entertainment lineups that chairman Chip McVea guarantees will feature something for everyone.