LEWISBURG, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia in Greenbrier County is just around the corner, but fair organizers have faced some challenges this year with school beginning earlier across the state.
“This is really the first year pretty much all the schools – high schools and colleges in the state – are starting either before or during the fair, but we kind of look at it as an opportunity as well,” said newly appointed State Fair CEO Kelly Tuckwiller Collins on Wednesday.
The fair will run from Aug. 14 through 23.
“That was really one of the main reasons why we added the tenth day back to the fair on Sunday the 23rd. It really gives people an extra opportunity to come down for an entire weekend, not just an evening or one day,” she said.
Collins said they also altered their hours this year. Gates will open at 9 a.m. and evening specials are included.
After 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, admission is only $5 compared to the full ticket price of $10 for adults and $8 for children. All day Sunday will be a $5 admission price.
Fair officials are also looking into some ticketing programs, educational tours and school field trips for the coming years.
“We have lesson plans in place. If somebody is bringing the classroom, they can not only have the fun side of the fair, but they can learn something as well,” Collins told MetroNews.
As the new CEO, Collins said she’s confident her and her team can continue to bring fresh ideas to the table. She served as the Agricultural Competitions Manager for the State Fair in 2012 and was named Operations Manager in 2014.
“I’m a lifetime fair person,” she said. “I always like a challenge.”
About 175,000 people are expected to attend the 10-day fair themed “It Feels Like Fun. It Feels Like Fair.”
Collins said people can expect to save money when they come to see certain acts.
“At 5:30 (p.m.) on Monday and 5:30 on Wednesday you’re going to have harness racing and then following those events on Monday you’ll have the Bellamy Brothers and on Wednesday you’ll have the Marshall Tucker Band,” she said, which is free with a paid gate admission.
Advanced ticket pricing is currently available now through Aug. 7. Adult tickets are $8.25 and youth tickets are $7.25.
Tickets can be purchased at the State Fair of West Virginia box office in Lewisburg or at a participating Walgreens until Aug. 13 and at pharmacies until the end of the month. You can also visit the State Fair’s website.
Several different ride passes are also available.