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Rockingham County Fair

By Austin Bachand

May 4^th, 2021

For two years, I covered Virginia's largest County Fair in Harrisonburg, Virginia. As a photojournalist at the Daily News Record, it was my job to capture the emotion and the feel of the fair. Below are some of my favorites from those years.

(See also: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/best-photos-of-the-week/2015/08/21/b6122d30-46b6-11e5-846d-02792f854297_gallery.html)

Natalie Williams, of Keezletown, rides horse, General Beauford during the Rockingham County Fair Horse Show on Sunday, August 16 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on Sunday, August 16. Williams takes classes at Rainy Day Stables in Linville.

Agriculture

Lindsey Revercomb, of Mt. Crawford and the president of the Rockingham County Young Leaders Association, puts lipstick on a cow for the Kiss A Cow fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on Thursday, August 18.

Aden Bazzle exhibits one of his pigs during the 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show at the Rockingham County Fair on August 17, 2015. This was Aden’s second year competing, and he went on to win this (and other) weight class(es).

Fair volunteer Jennifer Armstrong, of Harrisonburg, reacts to kissing a cow during the Rockingham County Fair's Kiss A Cow fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on Thursday, August 18.

Fair Rides

Bryan Brown, of Chambersburg, PA, uses ropes to align the sign for the amusement ride, “Sea Ray” during setup for the Rockingham County Fair at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on Sunday, August 16, 2015.

Isaiah Burroughs, 9, of Bridgewater, and his grandfather Junior Knight, of Elkton, ride the fireball ride at the Rockingham County Fair on Friday, August 19.

Deggeller Attractions employees put together the Yo-yo, a fair ride, during setup for the Rockingham County Fair on Sunday, August 14.

Fairgoers swing on the ride called, “YoYo,” at the Rockingham County Fair on Friday, August 19.

Kids hang on as they ride the zero gravity ride at the Rockingham County Fair on Friday, August 19.

The Demolition Derby

Bryen Andrews, 17, of New Market, puts on his neck brace before driving his car, The Tin Can, down to the Rockingham County Fair’s Demolition Derby at the Pepsi Grandstand on Friday, August 21.

Cody Fadeley, of Edinburg, holds on as the cars collide during the Rockingham County Fair's Demolition Derby on Friday, August 19.

Felipe Corral, of Broadway, waves to the crowd after a successful run during the Rockingham County Fair’s Demolition Derby at the Pepsi Grandstand on Friday, August 21.

Bobby Cotner (right), who came from Florida, works on Brandon Gentry's (of Elkton, middle guy in the back) car for the Rockingham County Fair's Demolition Derby on Friday, August 19.

The car driven by Eric Stickley gets towed off the field after wrecking it during the Rockingham County Fair’s Demolition Derby at the Pepsi Grandstand on Friday, August 21.

Late Night Concerts

Featuring: Lady Antebellum, Justin Moore, and Chris Lane.

Lady Antebellum walks out on stage for their performance at the Rockingham County Fair's — Lady Antebellum walks out on stage for their performance at the Rockingham County Fair's "An Evening with Lady Antebellum" as a part of their "Wheels Up 2015 Tour" on Monday, August 17.

Lady Antebellum performs at the Rockingham County Fair's — Lady Antebellum performs at the Rockingham County Fair's "An Evening with Lady Antebellum" as a part of their "Wheels Up 2015 Tour" on Monday, August 17.

Lady Antebellum performs at the Rockingham County Fair's — Lady Antebellum performs at the Rockingham County Fair's "An Evening with Lady Antebellum" as a part of their "Wheels Up 2015 Tour" on Monday, August 17.

Chris Lane performs at the Rockingham County Fair on Thursday, August 18.

Justin Moore performs at the Rockingham County Fair on Thursday, August 18.

© 2026 Austin Bachand

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