LEWISBURG, WV (WOAY) As summer comes to a close, preparations for one of West Virginia’s oldest traditions are wrapping up ahead ahead of its August 13 opening day.
“We’re over 100 years old,” Kelly Collins, CEO of the State Fair of West Virginia, said. “We celebrated a big anniversary last year, and we’re excited to continue the tradition this year.”
The fair is one of the biggest economic drivers in the state each year, and Collins says preparing takes a serious team effort.
“We spend a year plus planning each event. At this point, we’re already making plans for 2027. The event this year is getting ready to go, so things are hopefully in place by this point,” Collins said. “We’re a staff of less than ten year round, and we jump up to about 25 in May. Once we get to August, we have 250 employees.”
After more than a hundred years, Collins says the fair still focuses on local farms, and families have kept that tradition alive across generations.
“Of course, our state fair started because of agriculture. That’s why we’re here. We want to celebrate everything that’s great about it, from our 4-H and FFA livestock show to our Home Arts and Gardens display in the West Virginia building. A ton of 4-H and FFA kids across the state are involved,” Collins said. “I showed market steers and market lambs with my family growing up. I now have a daughter that age, and it’s so fun to watch them continue those traditions.”
The fair also offers carnival rides, food, and big grandstand musical performances. To purchase tickets and see a full run of events, you can go to the fair’s website at statefairofwv.com.
