There are plenty of attractions that draw crowds to the Josephine County Fair each summer, from carnival rides and livestock shows to concerts and exhibits. Yet some of the week’s most memorable moments happen on a much smaller scale, where friendly competition, community partnerships and local tradition come together to celebrate the young people who represent the future of agriculture in Josephine County.
That spirit was on full display Friday morning as the Josephine County Farm Bureau hosted its inaugural Bean Bag Toss Competition, welcoming 34 students involved in FFA, 4-H and Youth & Ag programs for a lighthearted event that quickly became one of the fair’s feel-good stories.
Rather than focusing on ribbons or trophies, organizers chose prizes that reflected the community itself. Winners in each division received Dairy Queen gift cards valued at $20, $15 and $10, giving participants an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments with a favorite local treat just a short walk from the fairgrounds.
Students competed in five age divisions, including Peewee for kindergarten through first grade, Beginner for second and third grades, Junior for fourth through sixth grades, Intermediate for seventh through ninth grades and Senior for students in grades 10 through 12. The format allowed children of all ages to enjoy friendly competition while encouraging sportsmanship and participation.
Although the event was organized on short notice, it quickly became a successful addition to this year’s fair.
According to organizers, the competition came together as a way to further support a local business that was already giving back to the fair. Dairy Queen provided the Josephine County Farm Bureau with a substantial discount on Dilly Bars being served as dessert during the Youth Livestock Auction dinner, making it possible for the Farm Bureau to recognize the restaurant’s generosity while creating another activity for young fair participants.
The gift card prizes offered an opportunity to return that support by encouraging families and students to visit the local Dairy Queen during fair week, creating a partnership that benefited both the community and a hometown business.
It also highlighted something that has long made the Josephine County Fair unique. Beyond the livestock auctions, exhibits and entertainment, the fair continues to thrive because of volunteers, agricultural organizations, local businesses and community members who work together behind the scenes to create experiences for families.
The Josephine County Farm Bureau has long supported agricultural education throughout the region, helping encourage the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders. Organizations such as FFA, 4-H and Youth & Ag teach young people far more than livestock care or crop production. Students develop leadership skills, responsibility, teamwork, public speaking abilities and a strong work ethic that often follows them throughout their lives.
Events like Friday’s Bean Bag Toss give those students another opportunity to build friendships, enjoy themselves and celebrate a week of hard work caring for animals, preparing exhibits and representing their clubs.
The competition may have centered on bean bags and simple targets, but it reflected something much larger than the game itself. It showcased the close-knit relationships that continue to define Josephine County, where local organizations, volunteers and businesses often work side by side to invest in young people.
As the 2026 Josephine County Fair continues, the Bean Bag Toss stands as a reminder that some of the fair’s biggest successes are measured not by the size of the prize, but by the smiles on the faces of the children who participate and the community members who make those moments possible. For many families, those are the memories that last long after the midway lights go dark and another fair comes to a close.