FAIRLEA, W.Va. — Folks headed to the State Fair of West Virginia will see a complete look around the barnyard, but the 2015 exposition will have one glaring absence. You’ll not find any feathered livestock on the premises.
State Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick issued an emergency ban on any live poultry events. The ban extends to all fairs and festivals, including the State Fair. The ban is a precaution after an outbreak of avian influenza in other parts of the United States.
“We don’t have a live poultry show or a market chicken show or anything like that, but we do have a live poultry display in our blue ribbon center each year,” said Fair Director Kelly Collins. “That display is going to be set up as normal, but without the birds.”
Collins said the State Fair is dedicated to teaching the public about agriculture and a building full of empty cages will be a powerful teaching tool.
“We’re doing that to spread the awareness of avian influenza and how it would affect our state’s industry,” she said. “Poultry is our number one industry right now and it would be truly devastating so we want to spread awareness about the disease.”
Not only will the chickens be absent there will be not ducks, geese, or other domesticated birds in the building. Collins knows that will be heartbreaking to some.
“It will be. The duck slide was always one of my favorites growing up,” said Collins. “Hopefully we’ll be able to have it back next year.”
The State Fair opens in Greenbrier County on Friday.