More mud-bogging, less market auction at Valley fair
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REEDSVILLE -- Not all fairs are built the same.
Leticia Lambert emphasized that the Valley District Fair is more motorsports festival than traditional agricultural fair.
“Motorsports are the draw,” said the fair president and Reedsville Volunteer Fire Department firefighter.
Those and the Firehouse Chicken Dinners, served starting at noon Thursday through Sunday this week.
For $15, patrons get a half chicken, baked beans, applesauce, a roll and a drink or for $10, just chicken only.
“The chicken dinners are a big thing that people love,” Lambert said.
Today, the fire department at 291 Kingwood St., Reedsville, will host its monthly Bingo to kick off the fair. Winners of each game will take home a free event pass, valued at $10, along with their bingo prize.
The weather forecast this week looks a bit grim, unless you are a participant in the motorsports events. The excitement and entertainment factors of the mud bog on Friday night and demolition derby on Saturday ramp up with the damp conditions.
“Rain is good for the participants,” she conceded.
She hopes the rain holds off for the Grand Firefighters Parade at 7 p.m. Thursday, though. Parking for paradegoers is free and easy in the WV Caring lot. Families are encouraged to come out for half-price Carnival Night with rides and inflatables and to meet the special Parade Marshall character after the parade.
Other traditional crowd-pleasers will return this year, including the Ron Smith Memorial Car Show & Jack Forman Memorial Truck Show on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some new attractions are on tap, too. Deep-fried Oreos will headline the concession stands, a “Dunk the Queen” dunk tank will feature the new Miss Valley District Fair Taylor Skidmore and other fair royalty, and the crafters and vendors have found a new home in the spectator area.
Enhanced “foot traffic” is the goal with that move, said Lambert, who joined the department in 2008 and has been involved in the fair ever since.
The Valley District Fair is a fundraiser and community-building event for Reedsville VFD. For more information, visit reedsvillevfd.org.