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The new pass has changed from paper stock to a material comparable to a ski lift, Jones said.
"It is very durable in harsh and even wet conditions," she noted.
When fairgoers leave the grounds, they will need to have their hand stamped for re-entry later that same day just as in past years.
Jones said the "easiest and best" way to purchase a Fair ticket this year is online at www.washmofair.com. The Fair Board has partnered with e-tix for online sales.
"The best perk to online purchase is guarantee of loss," Jones said.
"By providing your name, we are able to track which serial number ticket(s) you purchased and therefore can cancel and reissue a ticket in the case of loss or theft," she explained.
Jones stressed that all personal information will be kept private and will not be printed on the ticket itself.
"Buying online gives you the security of knowing that if your ticket is lost, you can get a new one at no cost through the Chamber of Commerce prior to the Fair or at any of the four main gates on the grounds during the Fair," Jones said.
People purchasing tickets online can still credit the queen candidate of their choice.
When purchasing online, people will be given the option to print their tickets at home. Included on the print at home ticket are two coupons for use at Los Cabos and Subway in Washington.
"The coupons can be used at those restaurants at any time after you print them," Jones said.
"When you bring your print at home ticket to any gate at the Fair, they will verify the bar code and exchange it for a normal season ticket which you can use during the entire five-day event," she said.
If someone chooses not to print their tickets at home, they may request that tickets be mailed directly to their home for an additional $4.50 for shipping and handling.
"This would guarantee that you would not have to wait in line when you arrived at the Fair gate," Jones noted.
If someone buys tickets directly from a queen candidate, they can choose to provide their name, so she can record that information to be entered into the ticketing system.
"This will again provide a way for you to be assured of getting a new ticket at no cost in the event of a loss," Jones said. "Providing this information is completely voluntary and not required when purchasing tickets."
Tickets also can be purchased at the Chamber office in Downtown Washington and employees there will enter information into the ticketing system - if the buyer chooses to do so.
And, just as in past years, tickets can be purchased at more than 40 participating businesses throughout the area.
"Those businesses will have a sheet to record a person's information, if they choose, to be logged into the system which guarantees them against loss," she said.
Jones said the Fair Board realizes the bar code system might be confusing because it's new and unfamiliar to many, but it offers many advantages, including:
Quicker entry into the Fair, providing more accurate information of how many people are on the grounds at any given time and the security of knowing if a ticket is lost, a new one can be issued at no cost.
In addition to season passes, daily admission tickets also can be purchased online at washmofair.com.
The 2009 Fair will open Wednesday, Aug. 5, and run through Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Washington Fairgrounds.
