All’s Fair in love and 101 anniversaries
101st Annual State Fair kicks off Thursday
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LEWISBURG - The 101st State Fair begins this Thursday and runs until Aug. 22., including fan favorites, thrilling rides, agricultural experiences and once-in-a-lifetime performances. The event takes place at the Lewisburg Fairgrounds at 947 Maplewood Ave.
The State Fair is one of the state's largest fundraising events and nonprofits, generating $48 million in economic impact for West Virginia education, agriculture and family entertainment. Kelly Collins, the State Fair Chief Executive Officer, has been planning this event since last year and is already getting a headstart on 2027.
Daily events include the Flores Circus Thrill Show, DockDogs, Granpa Cratchet puppet/comedy show, the Oregon Trail Display, Hot Glass Academy, the Moogician and more.
She said events are reviewed via an annual community survey, and the most valuable events are those based in tradition, specifically the agriculture competitions.
"State fairs were built and created because of agriculture. That's why we exist today," she said. "We have our 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock show starting here Thursday, August 13, and they wrap up on Monday, August 17. That's how I grew up at the state fair and how I originally got involved, so it's always fun to see the kids and the hard work that they put into their projects."
Another one of the most anticipated events of the fair is the Grandstand Concert Series, including performances by Sierra Ferrel, Dierks Bentley, CAIN and more. Tickets are available on the State Fair etix website at etix.com/ticket/v/6942/the-state-fair-of-west-virginia and vary per artist.
The State Fair also provides once-in-a-year food from vendors across the state, Collins said. The vendors list is filled with fan favorites, such as Apples n Cream, Ben Ellen Donuts, Greenbrier East FFA Ham and more, but also features new, trending foods such as matcha and key lime lemonade.
More items will be previewed this week on the State Fair's social media page.
Collins recommends this event to anyone who’s been here before or wants to visit for the first time to get "one last hoorah" before the school year starts.
"It's somewhere you can make memories with your friends and family each and every year," she said. "It's a great way to end the summer before we get back to the day-to-day grind of school and sporting events and just a time to take a deep breath and enjoy what's here."
Tickets are traditionally $10 on weekdays and $15 on the weekends, but they are having a $1 day on Tuesday, Aug. 15, Collins said. A complete schedule of events and ticket purchases are available at statefairofwv.com.