Tie or Re-Tie the Knot (for Free) at the Washington County Fair

Washington County fairgoers will have the chance to get married—or have their wedding vows renewed—for free during the fair, set for Aug. 1-5 at the fairgrounds near Lake Elmo.

The ceremonies will take place on a hill overlooking the Washington County Master Gardeners Fairest Garden. Bergmann's Greenhouse and Farm Market is landscaping and decorating the area where the ceremonies will be held.

Tenth Judicial District Judge Greg Galler, and will perform the ceremonies, said in a release said that wanted to make the fair even more memorable for those who attend. 

“I love the demographics of the fair. It is a good gathering spot and the ceremonies are something everyone can enjoy whether they participate or observe,” Galler said.

The times of the ceremonies are:

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3
• 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4
• 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Participants can begin signing up 30 minutes before the scheduled time block.

Marguerite Rheinberger, a Washington County Fair Board director and organizer of the event, said that because the ceremonies require no registration and are on a first-come, first-served basis, planners aren’t sure how many people will participate. 

“I am aware of one wedding and some renewals that will take place over the five-day fair, but there are rumors that several more may occur,” she said in the release. “If we have to, we will go beyond the scheduled times to get everyone in.”

After seeing the new feature posted on the International Association of Fairs and Expositions website, Washington County Fair Board Director John Rheinberger contacted the organization and other groups to see how unique Washington County was in offering weddings.  

"We are the only county in the United States to offer fair-sponsored free weddings and vow renewals every day of our fair to every qualified person without any pre-registration or contest involved, and in a very open setting on the fairgrounds so that all other fairgoers can witness the ceremonies," he said in the release.

Normal gate admission will be charged for all participants and their families and friends who come to observe. 

For more information, check out a PDF from the Washington County Fair website.

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