Washington County Community Foundation

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

As the 2026 Washington County Fair was wrapping up, a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Ag Pavilion at the fairgrounds was held at noon on Wednesday, August 5.

At next year’s fair, the new Ag Pavilion will house livestock and a new show arena during the fair, along with providing ideal space for ag education events, community gatherings and training programs all year long.

The new building will be located just to the East of the current RVR Building. It will replace two aging and damaged barns and has required moving and repurposing other structures. The projected construction cost for the Ag Pavilion is $2.2 million and will be paid for by current fair reserves, donors and other private donations.

WCCF is proud to support this project through a grant and we look forward to the new addition to the fairgrounds.

Congratulations to the Fair Board, Friends of the Fair, and numerous volunteers for another successful Washington County Fair! Washington County Fair

08/04/2026

Working at the Foundation is incredibly rewarding. Seeing firsthand how the grants we provide to local nonprofits are making a meaningful impact in our community is one of the best parts of the job.

Today, we had the privilege of visiting with George Tintera, Executive Director of the Blair Family YMCA, who shared how a grant they received is making a difference in their youth programs. Hearing the stories behind the impact reminds us why this work matters so much.

Keep up the good work, George! Blair Family YMCA - Blair, NE

07/28/2026

Look at this great line-up of events!

07/26/2026

We are happy to support this project!

As many of you have noticed, there has been a tremendous amount of work happening on the fairgrounds over the last month or so. Some of it is in preparation for the 2026 The Washington County Fair which opens Friday July 31st. But not all.

Much of it, including relocating two existing buildings, is related to a new 18,000 square foot building on the fairgrounds recently announced by The Washington County Fair board and the Washington County Friends of the Fair Foundation. Fundraising efforts are underway, and construction of the new building will start immediately following the 2026 fair. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at noon on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at the fairgrounds. Beginning with the 2027 fair, the new Ag Pavilion will house livestock and a new show arena during the fair, along with providing ideal space for ag education events, community gatherings and training programs all year long.

“As we look towards the next 100 years of the fair, we did a comprehensive assessment on our facilities to make sure they meet the needs of our youth,” said Jason Cloudt, Friends of the Fair President. “We currently have some buildings that are showing their age after suffering damage during the 2019 flood, and we want to replace them with a building that will serve our needs into the future.”

The new building will be located just to the East of the current RVR Building. It will replace two aging and damaged barns and has required moving and repurposing other structures. The projected construction cost for the Ag Pavilion is $2.2 million and will be paid for by current fair reserves, donors and other private donations.

“We invite business and community members to consider supporting this transformative project. We hope to meet with long-time supporters and the community to discuss their potential involvement, said Jeff Warren, Friends of the Fair Fundraising Manager. “We know this project will have a meaningful impact on our youth and our entire community.”

For more information on how to give go to

https://www.washingtoncountyfairne.com/p/support-the-fair/pavilion

07/21/2026

The Potter’s Field is a small section of Blair Cemetery that was historically used to bury people who were poor, unclaimed, unidentified, or who had no family able to pay for a traditional burial. The term “potter’s field” is a general name for this type of cemetery, used in many communities.

The Blair Potter’s Field is located in the northeast corner of Blair Cemetery. For many years it became overgrown and largely forgotten. In 2025, members of First Lutheran Church of Blair partnered with the city to clear brush, identify graves, and restore the area so those buried there could be remembered and honored. Volunteers uncovered old headstones and created a path to make the site accessible again. Historical reports indicate that at least 38 people are buried there, many of them early settlers, itinerant workers, or indigent individuals from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Earlier this year, First Lutheran Church received a grant to be used toward this project and progress is being made. Last week we had the privilege of visiting with Mike Jones of First Lutheran Church for an update of the project. City of Blair, Nebraska

07/15/2026

Please join us in welcoming Cassie Petersen as the new Executive Director of the Washington County Community Foundation!

Cassie officially stepped into her new role at the beginning of July after serving as the Foundation Coordinator since April 2025. During her time with the Foundation, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to our mission, and we are excited to see her lead the Foundation into its next chapter.

A Blair native, Cassie is passionate about strengthening the community she proudly calls home. She and her husband, Jake, a lifelong Blair resident, are raising their three children, Claire, Auggie, and Joanna in Blair and are deeply invested in the future of Washington County.

We are thrilled to have Cassie leading the Foundation and look forward to the positive impact her leadership will have on our communities. Please join us in congratulating Cassie on her new role!

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July and Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Today we celebrate 250 years of freedom and the enduring spirit that has shaped our nation. As we gather with family and friends, let us remember those who fought for our independence and all who have served to protect the liberties we enjoy today. May we honor our past, cherish our present, and look forward with hope to the future of this great nation.
Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day as we celebrate America's 250th birthday! God Bless America! ❤️🤍💙

06/25/2026

The Washington County Community Foundation is happy to have supported this project through a grant to the MCH Foundation. Thank you MCH for this beautiful addition! Memorial Community Hospital & Health System Blair, NE