The Warren County Fair saw a decrease in attendance this year despite a strong schedule of events including the return of concerts to the main stage. 

“Saturday night’s attendance was down from what was expected, so that was a disappointment,” said Fair Board President Paul Owenby. 

While Owenby said they did see solid attendance earlier in the week on July 2 and 3 he said they saw a dip in attendance around the Fourth of July holiday. 

He said they expected to bring in roughly $55,000 from the gate on the evening of July 5, the busiest night of the fair, leaving them well short of their break-even number of roughly $115,000. 

Roughly $75,000 of the $115,000 spent on entertainment for Saturday night was provided by the Warrenton Tourism Board to cover the costs of the concert. 

Owenby said the fair board appreciated the city’s support and although this year’s results were disappointing, they did not plan to give up on concerts just yet. 

“If the community won’t support it it’ll be hard to continue it,” said Owenby. “We’re discouraged but we’re not giving up on it.”

He said he had not yet spoken with the city as of the afternoon of July 7 but hoped to continue the concerts again next year to get a larger sample size. 

Owenby felt that with the Fourth of July holiday falling on a Friday, many residents took the long weekend as an opportunity to travel out of town. He said with that holiday falling on a Saturday, they may see improved attendance. 

The fair falling on the week of the holiday has been the topic of discussion among fair board members in recent years according to Owenby, who said they have considered moving it. Changes the dates however, comes with its own set of complications. 

He said moving the dates makes scheduling events like the carnival and the rodeo more difficult. They may have to compete with other events, such as the fair in Washington. 

While exact attendance numbers were not yet available, Owenby felt the holiday may have improved their attendance on Thursday, July 3, the night of the demolition derby. 

He said that was the highest attendance of the week and above their average, which he thought may have been due, in part, due to the holiday. 

Owenby said they are considering their options but changing the dates would require a decision to be made quickly as many events like the carnival are booked as far as a year ahead of time. 

“We’re gonna get started as soon as we can,” said Owenby. 

Despite the decreased attendance overall, there were still positives as there was hardly an open seat in the rodeo arena on Saturday night and the stands at the main stage did begin to fill later in the evening prior to Montgomery Gentry’s performance. 

Byrdie Wilson also provided a strong performance returning to her Warrenton roots. Although the performer was born in New York, grew up in South Carolina and currently resides in Nashville, Tenn., she spent time in her youth visiting her grandfather Jack Yegge in Warrenton. 

Although Yegge passed away in December 2024, she brought her roots to the stage by performing with his cowboy hat on stage. 

“This is a very special full circle moment,” said Wilson. “I wouldn’t be here without my grandpa.”

With members of the Yegge family in attendance at the concert, Wilson grew emotional while on stage remembering her late grandfather. 

“I’m holding back tears right now, but it is a really special moment to be here with y’all,” said Wilson.