2022 State Fair of WV By the Numbers
LEWISBURG, WV (08/24/2022) (readMedia)– Summer’s largest end of summer party has come to an end as the State Fair of West Virginia wrapped up on Saturday, August 20, with over 170,000 people attending.
“Despite a few days of heavy rain, we ended up having one of the best fairs we’ve ever had,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins stated. “The number of people that came through the gates aside, the true success can be seen in the community and economic impact of this event.”
Some of the most notable numbers include:
• Over 1,600 pounds of food raised during First Energy’s Magic Monday, which was split between five different food pantries.
• The State Fair also hosted its inaugural Big Wheel Bash as a fundraiser for the endowment and scholarship funds and raised over $20,000. Each year, $20,000 is given to scholarships for students from West Virginia to attend accredited schools or trade programs.
Exhibitor Participation
• 7,500 home, arts and garden exhibits were displayed in the WV Building, from over 700 exhibitors.
• Over 350 open livestock exhibitors participated.
• Over 370 junior 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors showed animals, while over 4,500 4-H and FFA exhibits (non-livestock) were on display in the Underwood Youth Center.
Giving Back
• $36,000 paid to civic organizations and/or school programs for services during fair. Some programs and services include:
o Greenbrier East Music Boosters – parking cars
o Eastern GreenbrierMiddle School – trash pickup
o James Monroe FFA – Rabbit Barn Attendants
o Shriners – Concert beer sales
Employment
• The State Fair hired over 210 part-time employees for the 10-day event. This number does not include part-time help for the food vendors, the carnival, and other concessionaires.
• Payroll for the 10 days will top $250,000.
Fairgoer Spending
• Fairgoer spending on food grossed over $3.5 million, which is an average of over $20 per person.
• Reithoffer Shows, the Fair’s carnival provider, set an all-time Fair record for carnival ride gross sales at the State Fair of WV with a final figure of just under $1.2 million.
Attendance
• The Grandstand attracted over 29,000 fairgoers to eight different shows throughout the week
• Overall Fair attendance totaled over 170,000.
User Engagement
• 13M Social Media impressions
• 732,566 User engagements
• Global audience
Other facts and figures
• The State Fair of West Virginia is a 501c3 Non-Profit
• SFWV pays over $75,000 in property taxes each year
• SFWV collects over $120,000 in sales tax each year (figure does not include tax on food or carnival sales which is collected by individual vendors or businesses).
“Outside of the number of fairgoers coming through the gates, it is important for us to look at the entire picture to judge the true success of the fair,” Collins stated. “State Fairs were started to tell the story of agriculture, but to also spur commerce in the local community – two missions we still hold true.”
The 98th Annual State Fair is set for August 10-19, 2023.
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun” on August 11-22, 2022. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million-dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv!
State Fair of West Virginia to Start Thursday
LEWISBURG, WV (08/08/2022) (readMedia)– Gates are set to open for “Mountain Grown Fun” at the 97th Annual State Fair of West Virginia this Thursday, August 11, 2022, with gates opening at 9 AM and carnival rides at 11 AM. To celebrate the return of the state’s largest multi-day event, catch opening day specials including $7 gate admission and $25 all-day ride passes.
“We have a great 10-days lined up and cannot wait to open the gates,” CEO Kelly Collins stated. “Whether you are here for the rides, food, concerts, shopping or just plain fun – there is something for all ages to enjoy!”
The 2022 Concert Series features two sold-out concerts this year with Cody Johnson and special guest Randall King (8/11), as well as Zach Bryan and special guest Charles Wesley Godwin (8/18). Tickets are still available for the Buckin’ B Bull Ride (8/12), Foreigner (8/13), Clay Walker and Tracy Byrd (8/14), Restless Road (8/15), Chris Tomlin (8/17), and Walker Hayes with special Guest Tigirlily (8/20). WV-Native Kathy Mattea will also take the stage on Tuesday, August 16, as a free show!
True to its roots, the SFWV will feature a full 10-days of livestock shows including the WV High School Rodeo, Junior 4-H and FFA livestock shows, horse shows, and of course, the fan-favorite Draft Horse Pull on Friday, August 19, at 9 AM.
To help mitigate the potential spread of H3N2v (Swine Influenza), the swine barn at the State Fair will be closed to fairgoers.
“Like every year, Department staff will be checking in every animal who attends the State Fair. But due to recent positive results for swine influenza at another fair, we will be stepping up our effort to ensure a safe environment,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “I want to make it abundantly clear, the State Fair is safe to attend, and we encourage folks to support this honored tradition.”
Fair officials and the WV Department of Agriculture Animal Health will be performing regular checks throughout the barn. Fairgoers are asked to continue to wash hands after visiting any animal exhibit, and those with weakened immune systems should be extra cautious.
Gate specials throughout the week include First Energy’s Magic Monday (8/15), Senior Citizen’s Day (8/16), the Early Bird Special sponsored by Diversified Energy featuring $1 admission from 9 AM – 2 PM (8/17) and Military Discount Day (8/17). Children ages 10 and under will once again get in free all day, every day.
The week is also filled with free entertainment for all ages including Swifty Swine Pig Racing, the Bears of Bearadise Ranch, the Hot Glass Academy, Kidbuck$ Game $how, the Nerveless Nocks, Zuzu African Acrobats, and a packed schedule on the U.S. Cellular Free Stage!
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun” on August 11-22, 2022. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million-dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv!
Official State Fair Artwork of the Year Announced
LEWISBURG, WV (06/28/2022) (readMedia)– Ashley Wheeler, from Shady Springs, WV, has been announced as the winner of the First Annual State Fair of West Virginia Official Art Contest. Her artwork titled “Lucky Duck” will be featured as the official print of the State Fair and will be available for purchase at the State Fair merchandise booth at the 97th Annual Event, August 11-20, 2022.
“I have been doing some form of art for as long as I can remember,” Wheeler stated. “I won my very first art contest in the first grade, and from that point on I was hooked.”
Now an elementary school teacher, Wheeler graduated from Concord University where she studied art whenever she could, and earned a minor in studio art. After taking a break from her artwork when she began working full-time, Wheeler picked her passion back up during the pandemic and now has 15 paintings at local businesses. Her specialty is animals.
The selected painting for this contest features a young boy holding a duck with some of the more iconic fair images in the background. It will be available as a print or poster for purchase this year.
“Having my artwork chosen for the print of the year is a great accomplishment that I am very proud of,” she concluded. “My ultimate dream is to be able to paint full-time.”
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun”, on August 11-22, 2022. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million-dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 Š 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv2022!
State Fair Announces 2022 Scholarship Winners
The State Fair of West Virginia is pleased to announce the awarding of five (5), $1,000 four-year scholarships to youth who have participated in the State Fair, excelled academically, and demonstrated leadership and civic responsibilities.
“It’s an honor to be able to recognize these young men and women who not only represent our fair well, but the entire state of West Virginia,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins stated. “We hope that they continue to excel wherever they may go.”
2022 award recipients and the schools they are attending are:
Lauren Ballard, Waiteville, WV – South Dakota State University
(Recipient of the Thirteenth Annual Gus R. Douglass Scholarship)
Delaney Lucey, Glen Easton, WV – Oklahoma State University
Emma Kesterson, Crawley, WV – West Virginia University
Mason Glascock, Fraziers Bottom, WV – University of Kentucky
Willa Gibson, Renick, WV – North Carolina State University
This scholarship is funded through the State Fair Endowment, which was created in 2006 to ensure the long-term support of three key areas; Scholarships, Career Advancement Initiatives, Youth Educational Enrichment Programs, and Agricultural Competitive Exhibit Premiums.
Scholarships will be awarded during the 2022 State Fair.
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun”, on August 11-22, 2022. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million-dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv2022!
State Fair of WV Announces Official Art Contest
LEWISBURG, WV (04/29/2022) (readMedia)– The State Fair of West Virginia is excited to announce its First Annual State Fair Art Contest. The winning entry will be featured as the 2022 State Fair Print of the Year, and will receive a cash prize, as well as a percentage of sales.
“We’ve been able to feature some amazing local artists over the last few years with the official fair portrait,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins stated. “We are excited to continue to promote our local artists and can’t wait to see what folks come up with!”
The official State Fair print should portray a positive image of the State Fair of West Virginia or reflect activities in anticipation or preparation of the annual event. Guidelines include:
– Image should be 11″x14″, or 11″x17″ vertical or horizontal will be acceptable.
– Medium may include oil, acrylic, watercolor, or pastels. Must be able to copy for print production purposes.
– Both professional and amateur artists are permitted to enter.
To enter: Please submit a copy and/or picture of your work to Kellyt@statefairofwv.com by June 1, 2022.
For more information, please contact the State Fair Office at 304-645-1090, or email kellyt@statefairofwv.com.
State Fair of West Virginia to Host Spring Flea Market
LEWISBURG, WV (04/25/2022) (readMedia)– The Annual Spring Giant Flea Market and Antique Sale is back at the State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg, WV, on May 20 and 21, 2022. The sale will be open both days from 8 AM – 6 PM.
“Whether you are looking for a unique shopping experience or just spring cleaning and need to get rid of stuff, this event has something for everyone.” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins stated. “It’s a perfect opportunity to not only enjoy our event but make a weekend out of it and see all the Greenbrier Valley has to offer.”
All shoppers are asked to park in the free parking lot located on 219S and walk through the tunnel entrance. Admission is free to shop.
Vendor booths remain at $25 per day, and because of limited space all vendors must pre-register. Due to on-going construction in the WV Building, this event will be outdoor only. Large items are the responsibility of the vendor and buyer.
For more information or to register as a vendor, please visit https://events.statefairofwv.com/flea-
The State Fair Event Center is a 200-acre multi-purpose meeting and exposition facility providing a wide variety of event rental opportunities and hosting over 300 events annually. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.