By REBECCA RHUDY
The Register-Herald
FAIRLEA, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia kicks off for the 93rd time Thursday in Fairlea with competitions ranging from cows, pigs and goats to vegetables and flowers, coupled with entertainment by country music stars, a magician, harness races and tigers — oh my!
Gates open at 2 p.m. and the fair fun continues through Aug. 19.
“We are very excited to open the gates a day early,” said State Fair CEO Kelly Collins. “This is the first year we’ve opened on a Thursday. We aren’t opening the gates until 2 p.m., but we have a concert in the evening and it should be a really great day.”
First day admission is $5 and $20 to ride rides. For remaining days, tickets are $11 at the gate. Several pricing deals have been made for other days of the week.
Aug. 16 will be the biggest special of the fair in Collins’ estimation, explaining, “If you show up from 9 a.m. to noon, it is only $1 to get in.”
According to Collins, the State Fair has a $13.8 million economic impact on the state. Because it is such a big event, planners spend a lot of time ensuring they are putting together exhibits and shows that are successful, enjoyable, and that celebrate the people and culture of West Virginia.
“Planning for the fair is a 365-day job,” Collins said. “Everyone puts in a lot of hard work into planning the state fair and pulling everything off.”
This hard work is evident in the variety of offerings that have been scheduled for this year’s 10-day event, including new food vendors, new bands performing, new rides and other things that are expected to help bring in more people and show the people who attend the fair a great time with family and friends.
Some of the previous most popular events have been the concerts.
“We have a really good lineup this year with our concerts,” Collins said, including Aaron Lewis and Ray Scott, Martina McBride and Josh Turner, Casting Crowns and Old Crow Medicine Show, among others.
The Concert Series opens at 8 p.m. Aug. 10 with Lewis and Scott.
The week also offers free entertainment, including The Bengal Tiger Encounter, Danny Grant Variety Show, Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean, Extreme Raptor Show, Catherine Hickland the Comedic Hypnotist and The Rowdy Rooster.
“Our theme for the year is ‘Start Your Traditions,’” Collins said. “We have a lot of people who come back year after year, and they know the traditions. We are inviting people who may have not been to the fair in a long time or people who may have never been to come join us and start a new tradition with family and friends.”
While there are endless events scheduled for the fair, one thing Collins said that is important to her and others planning the events, as well as those who attend, is keeping the historical connection to the agriculture of West Virginia.
“The fair has grown every year,” she said. “Each year, there are more rides, new entertainment, new aspects and technology. We have always tried to stay with the roots of agriculture. That is what a lot of the state fairs across the country have been based on, and we still try to tell that story today in West Virginia.”
For more information, visit www.statefairofwv.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.
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Ticket prices
Adult, ages 13 and over, $11 sales tax Included
Youth, ages 12 and below, free every day
Mega Pass, valid for 12 hours of unlimited rides 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., good any day of the fair (Gate admission sold separately), $30 plus 6 percent state sales tax
Big Pass, valid for 6 hours of unlimited rides 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., good any day of the fair (Gate admission sold separately), $25 plus 6 percent state sales tax
Specials
Aug. 14 – Magic Monday: In partnership with with First Energy. Bring three non-perishable food items and pay only $25 for gate admission, carnival rides from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the 7:30 p.m. Grandstand Concert. Every person (regardless of age), wishing to take advantage of this promotion must bring three non-perishable items to qualify.
If you are not interested in carnival rides, bringing three non-perishable food items will get you an $8 admission ticket. Additionally all regular gate admissions and advance sale gate tickets are honored as they would be on any day of the fair.
This is promotion is available at the livestock and tunnel gates only on Monday, August 14..
Other special dates are:
Tuesday, August 15, Senior Citizen’s Day Day, 55 and Older, $6 (sales tax included)
Wednesday, August 16, Early Bird Special, $1, (sales tax included) from 9 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, August 17, Military Day, $6 (sales tax included) with valid military or veterans ID
August 15, 16, 17, Afternoon Special, $6 after 4 p.m. through closing for ages 13 and over
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