LEWISBURG, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia returns for its 101st year on Thursday with ten days of livestock exhibits, concerts, food, and more coming back to Greenbrier County.
State Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt is excited once again and takes pride in the opportunities young people get from the fair.
“We have the youth activities with our livestock, which is the heart and the start of the fairs and festivals throughout the state, and we have over 400 exhibitors this year,” he said.
Livestock competitions begin on the first day of the fair and continue all the way to the end. Leonhardt encourages visitors to take part in the youth livestock auction to keep supporting these opportunities.
“You can take them back to your farm, you can return them back to the youth, or you can actually end up with a very fine West Virginia-grown product in your kitchen,” he said.
The fair also sponsors home, arts, and garden competitions throughout the week along with a fast-growing attraction. Leonhardt is watching horse showmanship quickly become a draw to the fair.
“Horsemanship is growing. We have a West Virginia Horse Council that is growing in popularity that we started a number of years ago here at the state fair. You’re seeing more and more people come to West Virginia wanting to show horses,” he said.
A jam-packed concert schedule opens Thursday with rising country artists Vincent Mason and Avery Anna. Trace Adkins brings his 30th Anniversary Tour to West Virginia alongside Aaron Tippin on Saturday, and West Virginia native Grammy winner Sierra Ferrell caps the opening weekend on Sunday.
Contemporary Christian music headlines on Monday with CAIN and Leanna Crawford. Classic hits take the stage the following days with country stars Shenandoah on Tuesday and hip-hop legends Ying Yang Twins and Paul Wall on Wednesday.
More country closes out the week with Dierks Bentley next Thursday and Gavin Adcock next Friday. Stone Temple Pilots is the final group to rock the stage on the last day of the fair.
Throw in the annual car show, rides, and more unique entertainment and Leonhardt believes there’s something for everyone to enjoy. He hopes to see all kinds of West Virginians come out, especially the state’s military veterans.
“We also have a veterans’ day with discounted tickets to the fair for veterans this coming Friday. There will be a hospitality tent, and we have some great veteran t-shirts, free for the veterans while supplies last, I have to say,” he said.