The Long Way
Ferry County
People gather inside a large wooden livestock barn.
Plate I. Livestock barn, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com
An aerial view of rural buildings nestled in a valley with forested mountains in the background.
Plate II. Fairgrounds view, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com
A group of horse riders carrying flags in an arena.
Plate III. Horseback flag bearers, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com
Children participate in a hobby horse race in a dirt arena.
Plate IV. Children's stick-horse race, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com
People walking through an indoor hall decorated with patriotic banners and ribbons.
Plate V. Exhibit hall, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com
People wearing cowboy hats stand behind a red wall inside a building structure, with one person speaking into a microphone.
Plate VI. Announcers booth, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com
A young girl leads a lamb by a pink leash in a dirt arena.
Plate VII. Livestock competition, Ferry County Fair. From ferrycountyfair.com

Ferry County Fair

Republic, Ferry County, Washington. County fair.

Details

Map. Republic, Ferry County, Washington. Larger map
Where
12 Fairgrounds Rd., Republic, WA. Directions
When
Last held September 4–6, 2026; next year’s date not yet stated.
Season
Annually over Labor Day weekend (Friday-Sunday).
Fees
Daily: Adults $10.00, Senior Citizen (60 +) $8.00, Youth $8.00 (FREE on Kids Day, Friday), Child 5 & Younger Free; 3-Day Fair Pass $20.00 adults, $15.00 senior, $15.00 youth.
Access
Cash only for all parking and gate fees.
Walk-in or reserve
Camping: first-paid-first-reserved with exhibitor priority; advance camping reservations must be paid by August 1st.
Phone
(509) 775-3146
Managed by
Fair and Fairgrounds Managers Marcus and Vera Johnston.
Established
1941.

Held on Labor Day weekend since 1941; steeped in legacy, good old-fashioned family fun.

Notable Events

  1. 1895The National Carousel Association identifies the fair park carousel as an Armitage-Herschell carousel dating to c.1895-1900. carousels.org
  2. 1895The merry-go-round and hand-carved horses were built by the Armitage Herschell Spillman Companies. ferrycountyfair.com
  3. 1935Hatfield Engineering built the present machine when the carousel was converted to its jumping mechanism. ferrycountyfair.com
  4. 1958Local ranchers co-signed a $2,000 loan to buy the merry-go-round in Tacoma; it arrived in Republic in a wheat truck. ferrycountyfair.com
  5. 1992Art Morris led the refurbishment effort with dozens of volunteers and his wife Nancy. innovia.org
  6. 1993The full restoration project began after the carousel had been painted once since arriving in Ferry County. ferrycountyfair.com
  7. 2002Grand opening of the Ferry County Fair merry-go-round. carousels.org

People

  • Charles Dare, Noted carousel manufacturer believed to have carved two horses (1900’s).
  • Art Morris, Known to local children as the Merry-Go-Round-Man; led refurbishment with volunteers and his wife Nancy (1992).
  • Nancy Morris, Art’s wife; established the Art Morris Merry-Go-Round Fund at Innovia to honor his legacy (1992).

Sources

  1. ferrycountyfair.com
  2. ferrycountyfair.com/schedule
  3. ferrycountyfair.com/historic-carousel
  4. ferrycountyfair.com/events
  5. ferrycountyfair.com/camping-2
  6. ferrycountyfair.com/food
  7. extension.wsu.edu/ferry/4-h-youth-families/fair
  8. basinbusinessjournal.com/news/2026/jun/29/eastern-washington-fair-guide-2026
  9. ferrycountyfair.com/admissions
  10. ferrycountyfair.com/ferry-county-fair-contact-information
  11. innovia.org/stories/a-carousel-for-community
  12. carousels.org/psp/Republic/MGR%20Opening%20016.html
  13. ferry-county.com/government/board_of_commissioners/fairgrounds.php
  14. okanogancountry.com/events/ferry-county-fair/09-04-2026