6:00pm: Sportsline with Tony Caridi

Farming, family and fun take center stage at the State Fair of West Virginia

FAIRLEA, W.Va. — It’s time for some fun at the fair. The State Fair of West Virginia kicked off Friday. It’s a special year for the event. It was back in 1924, 90 years ago, that the fair debuted.

Back then, it was all about the crops and the livestock and Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, the CEO of the State Fair of West Virginia, said that hasn’t changed.

“We’re all about agriculture and that’s what we focus on,” said Pierson-Jolliffe. “We’ve done more this year than in year’s past with the education story and efforts. We want people to understand how food gets on the kitchen table.”

While there’s lot of mid-way rides and games, the CEO said it’s what’s in the barns that are the most attractive to fair-goers.

The livestock competitions are still at the heart of the fair.

“We’re fortunate that our livestock competitions are still very strong. We’ll have thousands of variety of breeds of animals here. That’s surely what sets the fair apart from other events,” explained Pierson-Jolliffe.

From cows to sheep and everything in between, it’s a bit wooly in those barns. There are competitions for adults and children, even scholarships given away. Pierson-Jolliffe said the fair is a unique place where families can gather and enjoy traditional West Virginia.

“Days are crazy and technology is everywhere, but the fair is about real things and real people and all the things that make West Virginia special. I think we need that. I think we crave it everyday and passing that tradition on through generations,” she said.

Pierson-Jolliffe said she’ll see a lot of grandparents with their grandchildren at the fair. That’s how it’s been for the past 90 years.

You don’t want to forget the food while you’re at the fair. From sweet corn to funnel cakes to candied apples, many of the ingredients come from right here in West Virginia.

This year’s entertainment line-up includes Little Big Town, Foreigner, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery.

For more information on all the fun, click here.





More News

News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
UMWA to fight planned Pennsylvania coal mine closure, 700 mining jobs at risk
Cumberland Mine less than 40 miles from Morgantown.
March 28, 2024 - 2:23 pm
News
Bridge collapse having an impact on West Virginia coal shipments
About third of the coal mined in northern West Virginia is shipped out of the presently idled Port of Baltimore
March 28, 2024 - 1:18 pm


Your Comments