Washington County Fair Manager/Treasurer Resigns

Dorie Ostertag, 71, from Afton, submitted her resignation as Fair Manager and Treasurer of the Washington County Fair at the annual Fall meeting of the Washington County Agricultural Society, the entity that puts on the fair. Attendance at this past summer's fair was the largest in over 20 years."

Dorie leaves in good health and with the fair in very good financial shape," said John Rheinberger, a longtime member and a former president of the nonprofit organization.

Ostertag has been fair manager for 31 years and along the way picked up extra roles like treasurer that included duties no one else wanted to do.

Mike Featherston, owner of Gold Star Amusements, has operated the poplar carnival at the fair for decades. He, along with numerous vendors and non-vendors, expressed their appreciation for having Ostertag at the helm. Her "level of professionalism" helped Gold Star attain over 30 years of success at the Washington County fair, "a feat the average person can't relate to," he said."

Every year was a highlight,” said Ostertag in reflecting upon the various aspects of the fair, but she said, “I will miss the people the most. I made so many lifelong friends and acquaintances."

Electrical issues and weather were her two biggest obstacles over the years, she said. This past summer, a storm took down power that was restored with less than seven hours before the fair gates opened.

The 2026 fair will take place Wednesday through Sunday, July 29-August 2, kicking off with the July 29 standing-room only Senior Day Event at 12:30 p.m. featuring "Joe Sir's Elvis Show: The Las Vegas Years."

A job description and application process for the Operations/Fairgrounds Manager position can be found at www.washingtoncountyfair.org/employment