The Washington County Fair is in full swing this week, and it's the kind of week where the fair alone could fill your calendar. Neon Trees headlines Friday night, Family Night runs Monday and Tuesday with every ride at $3, and the demolition derby closes it all out Saturday. But there's more going on if you look past the fairgrounds, including the final performances of Emma at the Opera House, the Unbound exhibit downtown, and the fact that April is officially Dark Sky Month and Snow Canyon just earned its dark sky designation. Plenty to work with.
Washington County Fair - Week Two
Mon-Fri, 4-10 PM | Thu & Sat, 10 AM-10 PM | Sun closed Washington County Legacy Park, 5500 W 700 S, Hurricane Free admission | Free parking
The fair's second week is where things really pick up. Here's what to know day by day:
Monday & Tuesday, Apr 13-14 - Family Night Every ride is $3, no wristband needed. This is the best deal of the entire fair and the smallest crowds of the week. If you've got kids who want to ride everything, this is when you go. The fair opens at 4 PM both days, and there's breakaway roping on Monday at 7 PM and team roping on Tuesday at 7 PM in the arena. Racing pigs run at 4:30, 6:30, and 8:30 PM.
Wednesday, Apr 15 - Tennessee River (Alabama Tribute) Concert at 8 PM in the Large Outdoor Arena. Floor seats $35, general admission $20. If you grew up on "Mountain Music" and "Song of the South," this is your night.
Thursday, Apr 16 - Fresh Horses (Garth Brooks Tribute) Full-day hours starting at 10 AM. Barrel racing at 6 PM, concert at 8 PM. Floor seats $35, GA $20. Thursday is the sleeper pick if you want the full fair experience without weekend crowds.
Friday, Apr 17 - Neon Trees The big one. The Provo-born alt-pop band headlines at 8 PM. Floor seats $65, premium $49, Area 1 $39, Area 2 $29. Tickets available through the fair's official website. This will be the busiest night of the entire fair, so arrive early and carpool if you can. The America250 Founders Festival also runs all evening.
Saturday, Apr 18 - Demolition Derby (Closing Night) The fair wraps with its loudest event. Demolition derby at 7 PM, gates at 5:30 PM. Pre-event tickets $30, day-of $35. Also happening: tractor pull at 11 AM, Kids Cookie Contest at 11 AM, and the Salsa Contest at 3 PM (no entry fee, bring two cups of homemade salsa). This is the last day of the fair, so if you haven't made it out yet, this is it.
Fair tips for this week: Bring cash for vendors and game booths. Arrive before sunset to catch the livestock exhibits and Harmony Building in daylight, then stay for the carnival and arena events after dark. Plan to eat before you get there on concert nights, when food lines are longest. And if you're heading out for the Neon Trees show Friday, parking will fill up early.
America250 Founders Festival
Thu, Apr 16 - Sat, Apr 18 Washington County Legacy Park, Hurricane Free with fair admission
Running alongside the fair's final three days, the America250 Founders Festival brings colonial-era activities, artisan demonstrations, and historical games to Legacy Park. Thursday and Friday run 4-10 PM, Saturday 10 AM-10 PM. It's presented by Liberty Village and Washington County as part of the nationwide America 250 celebration. The America 250 Stage in the boxing arena also features 20+ live bands throughout the week, from River House Band to Muddy Boots Band.
Emma - Final Performances
Apr 16-18 Historic Opera House, 212 N Main St, St. George Tickets: $32
This is it for Jane Austen's Emma The Musical. St. George Musical Theater's run closes this weekend at the Historic Opera House. Performances include Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM with a Saturday matinee at 2 PM (check sgmusicaltheater.com for the full final weekend schedule). If you've been meaning to see this one, don't push it. The Opera House's intimate, in-the-round staging makes it a genuinely fun night out.
Worth knowing: SGMT is building a brand new custom in-the-round theater on Main Street, with a move planned for later this year.
MAMMA MIA! Continues in Hurricane
Through May 9 | Hurricane City Fine Arts Center, 92 S 100 W, Hurricane Evening shows Mon, Fri, Sat at 7 PM | Sat matinee at 2 PM Ticketed
If you're heading to Hurricane for the fair anyway, MAMMA MIA! makes for a great double feature. Hurricane Theatrical's production continues through May 9 with a cast meet-and-greet after every performance. Theatre doors open 30 minutes before showtime, and seating is general admission.
Saturday Markets
Downtown Farmers Market Sat, Apr 18, 10 AM-2 PM | Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S 400 E, St. George | Free
The weekly staple. 50+ vendors, live music, local produce and goods. This is the last month of winter hours (10 AM-2 PM) before the market shifts to summer hours in May (8 AM-12 PM).
Tuacahn Saturday Market Sat, Apr 18, 10 AM-2 PM | 1100 Tuacahn Dr, Ivins | Free
Local art, crafts, food, and free live entertainment in the red rock canyon. The Tuacahn Cafe is open for their pancake breakfast until noon.
Arts & Culture
Unbound: Art of the West On view through May 30 | St. George Museum of Art, 47 E 200 North, St. George Free admission
Still the top gallery pick in town. This collaboration between the St. George Museum of Art and Salt Lake City's Modern West Fine Art features 21 artists rethinking what Western art looks like. Works range from modernist abstractions by Louis Ribak and Beatrice Mandelman to Billy Schenck's contemporary pop-Western paintings. Easy to pair with a downtown lunch or a walk along Main Street.
April is officially Dark Sky Month across Utah, and this year there's a local angle worth knowing. Snow Canyon State Park was designated as an International Dark Sky Place in late 2025, making it one of just 10 Utah state parks with that certification. Park staff retrofitted every light fixture in the park to meet dark sky standards, and they offer regular nighttime programs through April.
The state is also running its first-ever Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt. Attend four dark sky programs at Utah state parks across two regions during April, solve four riddles, and you could win a free overnight stay. Even if you don't chase the scavenger hunt, just driving out to Snow Canyon after sunset this month is worth it. The stars are absurdly clear right now.
Weather Watch
A warm stretch kicks off the week. The NWS forecast for St. George shows highs near 90°F for Sunday and Monday before temperatures gradually ease back toward the upper 70s by the weekend.
Mon, Apr 13: Mostly sunny, high near 88-90°F
Tue, Apr 14: Sunny, high around 85°F
Wed, Apr 15: Sunny, high near 80°F
Thu, Apr 16: Sunny, high near 78°F
Fri, Apr 17: Mostly sunny, high near 77°F
Sat, Apr 18: Sunny, high near 75-77°F
Early-week temps are unusually warm for mid-April, so pack sunscreen if you're hitting the fair Monday or Tuesday. By the weekend, evenings will cool to the mid-50s. Bring a layer for concerts and the demolition derby.
Before You Go
If there's one week all year to make it out to the Washington County Fair, this is the one. Monday or Tuesday Family Night is the value play. Thursday is the sweet spot if you want full-day hours without crowds. And Friday night with Neon Trees is going to be loud, packed, and worth it.
Off the fairgrounds, don't let Emma close without seeing it, and take advantage of Dark Sky Month while the nights are still cool enough to enjoy.
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See you out there, St. George.