State Fair of West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids State Fair of West Virginia |
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| Genre | State fair |
| Dates | 08-17 August 2024 |
| Location(s) | Fairlea, West Virginia |
| Years active | 1881–1916, 1919–1939; 1946–2019; 2021– |
The State Fair of West Virginia is a big yearly event in West Virginia, United States. It happens every August in Lewisburg. The fairgrounds are a huge park with space for fun rides, shows, and buildings. You can even find free parking nearby! This year, the fair is planned for August 8-17, 2024.
Many famous singers have performed at the fair's grandstand over the years. These include:
- Conway Twitty
- Loretta Lynn
- George Jones
- Merle Haggard
- Johnny Cash
- Lorrie Morgan
- Little Big Town
- Britney Spears
- Big Time Rush
- Victoria Justice
- Tammy Wynette
- Travis Tritt
At the 2019 State Fair, the band Alabama was supposed to play. But their singer, Randy Owen, got sick. So, Jamey Johnson stepped in to perform instead.
Contents
History of the Fair
The very first event called the State Fair took place in Wheeling on February 1, 1881. The fair in Lewisburg grew from smaller local events that started way back in 1854.
Fair Cancellations
The fair was canceled a few times throughout history. World War I stopped the fairs in 1917 and 1918. In 1941, the state government officially named it the State Fair. However, World War II caused it to be canceled again until 1946. There was also no fair in 2020.
Historic Building
The Meadow River Lumber Building is an important part of the fairgrounds. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it is a special building with historical value.
What Happens at the Fair Today?
Compared to fairs in bigger states, the West Virginia fair is a bit smaller. But it's still packed with fun! It lasts for more than eight days.
Fun Activities
You can enjoy a traveling carnival with lots of rides. There are also competitions for farmers and young people in groups like 4-H and FFA. You can watch harness racing, where horses pull drivers in carts. (No gambling is allowed at the races.)
You can also see exhibits from companies that make farm machinery and tools. Every night, a popular artist performs a concert. There's even a special game of Bingo with bigger prizes than usual. A beauty queen is also chosen at the fair.
Politics at the Fair
In years when there are elections, you might see displays from candidates and political parties. They use the fair to share their ideas with people.
Fair Attendance
The rides at the fair are provided by the Orange unit of Reithoffer Shows. In 2006, over 174,000 people paid to get into the fair. If you count young children (who get in free) and others, the total number of visitors was about 210,000.
Before 1988, it was hard to get to the fairgrounds from many parts of the state. This was before Interstate 64 was finished. Because of this, the fair used to be more of a local event. But it has grown a lot since the highway was built!
How the Fair is Funded
The State Fair is a non-profit organization. This means it uses any money it makes to support the fair itself, not to make a profit for owners. The fair does not get money from the state government. It earns money from ticket sales, fees from vendors, and renting out the fairgrounds for other events. The state Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University also help the fair.
