FAIRLEA, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia is coming down the homestretch and state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said Thursday the crowds have been good at the fairgrounds in Fairlea, Greenbrier County.
“The weather has held up for us throughout most of the fair and over the past weekend we had some record crowds coming in,” Leonhardt said Thursday during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Thursday was Governor’s Day at the fair and Gov. Jim Justice was on hand.
The State Fair @SFWV is just unbelievable, and it reflects all the good in West Virginia. It was an honor to be there today; these great people are doing a wonderful job and make us all proud! #WV #WVGov pic.twitter.com/m56dscnw8J
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) August 16, 2018
This year marks the second State Fair as agriculture commissioner for Leonhardt. He said state fairs do have a place in the current society.
“I look at my role to try to make sure that we bring that farming heritage back to life in West Virginia and the State Fair is an agriculture fair but there’s more than just agriculture that’s taking place here,” he said.
Leonhardt said he also has the future in mind when thinking about the fair.
“The State Fair is all about protecting our heritage and also about how do we usher in the new world of agriculture to the state of West Virginia,” Leonhardt said.
The State Fair runs through Saturday.