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Town council approves outdoor entertainment license for Washington County Fair
Summary
The Richmond Town Council voted to approve an outdoor entertainment license for the Washington County Pomona Grange (doing business as the Washington County Fair) for Aug. 13–17, 2025, with standard public-safety conditions and final inspections required before operations begin.
The Richmond Town Council voted May 20 to grant an outdoor entertainment license to Washington County Pomona Grange, doing business as the Washington County Fair, for Aug. 13–17, 2025, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., at 78 Richland Townhouse Road.
Supporters said the fair has a long record of volunteer staffing, coordination with town emergency services, and no past incidents requiring town enforcement. The license request included waivers for event timing and on-site camping for 4-H livestock care; organizers also requested a waiver of the license fee because the Grange is a nonprofit.
The council’s vote was conditional on completion of required inspections. Town staff said the entertainment license will be finalized only after the fire department, police and other inspections are completed. Organizers told council members they will staff the event with a designated number of paid fire, police and EMS personnel and with 40 trained volunteers for crowd management; they also said no alcohol will be sold at the fair.
Council members asked organizers about emergency access and coordination with the town’s emergency management director. Organizers said an alternate access road to Wilbur Hill is to be used only for emergency evacuation and not for routine ingress or egress. The town’s staff representative said the town will not issue the final license until post‑inspection sign‑offs are complete.
Motion and vote: Councilors approved opening and closing the public hearing and then approved the license. A motion recorded in the meeting materials specified the license for Aug. 13–17, 2025, 8 a.m.–11 p.m.; roll call votes recorded the council voting in favor; the motion passed.
Organizers present included Alador Jones, a representative retained by the Washington County Fair, and Kate Fish, co‑vice chairman of the Washington County Pomona Grange. Town staff participating in the discussion noted inspection and permitting steps that remain before the fair can operate.
The council chair and staff reiterated that the license will remain conditional until required inspections and any outstanding requirements are satisfied.
