Alabama to Headline 2015 State Fair of West Virginia Concert Series
LEWISBURG, WV (12/01/2014)(readMedia)– State Fair officials have announced that Alabama will kick off the 91st Annual State Fair of West Virginia concert series on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 8 pm.
Tickets for this show will go on sale Friday, December 5, 2014 at 10 am.
“We are thrilled to have country music legends Alabama as the opening act for the 2015 State Fair of West Virginia,” State Fair Operations Manager Kelly Collins stated. “Tickets for this show are going on sale just in time for Christmas making it a great present for loved ones. So far the upcoming Fair is shaping up to be great one and we cannot wait to make more announcements in the New Year.”
It’s been 40 years since a trio of young cousins left Fort Payne, Alabama, to spend the summer playing in a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina bar called The Bowery. It took Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook six long years of tip jars and word of mouth to earn the major label deal they’d been dreaming of, but then seemingly no time at all to change the face of country music.
ALABAMA is the band that changed everything. They have had 43 #1 singles including 21 #1 singles in a row, a record that will probably never be equaled in any genre. They brought youthful energy, sex appeal and a rocking edge that broadened country’s audience and opened the door to self-contained bands from then on, and they undertook a journey that led, 73 million albums later, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Of the early days and their humble beginnings, Jeff says, “I don’t think we thought too far ahead. We were more concerned with paying our bills at the end of the week playing music.”
The Bowery was a chance to get established outside their home turf, where they’d played a nearby theme park, opening for national acts like Bobby Bare.
“We believed we had something pretty special from a vocal standpoint,” says Teddy, “and we were looking for the opportunity to prove it. There were a lot of times when we wondered whether we might be better off going back home and getting jobs, but we just kept rehearsing and writing songs, trying to get better and believing we could do it.”
“I went to see them at The Bowery,” legendary producer, Harold Shedd says, “and the sound that these three guys could create together was just really something. I saw the crowd reacting to music they’d never heard before as though they had. They were doing some covers, but a lot of the ALABAMA show at the time was original material, including stuff that wound up on the first three albums we did together.”
The band was revolutionary in more than one sense.
“We were renegades in sneakers and T-shirts,” says Teddy. “We had long hair and played loud and some of the country folks resisted us for a while. But then of course they did accept us and then after that, our success made it lots easier for other bands to try it in country music.”
The fact that some of the heirs of that legacy–Eli Young Band, Rascal Flatts and Florida Georgia Line–were among the stars paying tribute on Alabama Friends, their most recent release, is part of their legacy as surely as the awards and plaudits they’ve earned through the years. And those, of course, have been legion. They include more than 150 major industry nods, including two Grammys, the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian award, Entertainer of the Year awards three times from the CMA and five times from the ACM, as well as the latter’s Artist of the Decade award. They earned 21 Gold ®, Platinum ® and Multi-Platinum ® albums and were named the RIAA’s Country Group of the Century.
But awards are only a part of a legacy that finds its most important home in the hearts of listeners everywhere. Some of those are superstars in other genres, as Randy found out not long ago.
“I was part of a benefit concert at the Ryman,” he says, “and I look over there’s Jon Bon Jovi. He walked over and said hello and it turns out he likes our music.”
Many more, of course, are everyday country fans.
“A lot of fans will start a conversation with, ‘I don’t want to bother you,'” says Jeff, “but what they don’t understand is that everything that’s happened to us, every one of those awards, happened because we’ve been accepted and supported by our fans.”
Not long ago, Teddy was witness to a scene that shows that their legacy of song remains as fresh as it was when that streak in the ’80s kicked it all off.
“I was in Nashville,” he says, “walking by this club full of young people–I’m talking 18 or 20. The band started playing ‘Dixieland Delight’ and everybody in the place started singing and sang all the way through. I had to smile at the longevity of the songs. Maybe some of those kids didn’t even know who ALABAMA was, but they knew the music, and so I think that’s a tribute to the fact that we spent a career putting out good songs that stand the test of time.”
Ticket prices and details on how to order can be found at www.statefairofwv.com. Tickets will only be available via Etix at www.statefairofwv.com or by calling 1-800-514-ETIX (3849) Monday through Friday 9 am – 6 pm or Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets will not be sold at the State Fair Box Office.
The 2015 State Fair themed “It Feels Like Fun. It Feels Like Fair”, is a 10-day Fair scheduled August 14-23, 2015. 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 and Twitter.
2nd Annual WV N.T.P.A Championships Set to Take Place at State Fairgounds
LEWISBURG, WV (11/25/2014)(readMedia)– The Second Annual West Virginia Grand Nationals N.T.P.A. Championship truck and tractor pull is set to take place on Friday, May 22 at 7 pm and Saturday, May 23 at 7 pm at the State Fairgrounds in Fairlea, WV. Featured classes will include SUPER Farm Tractors, FWD Trucks, and Light Unlimiteds.
“Last year this event was exciting, fun and full of action,” State Fair Event Center Operations Manager Kelly Collins stated. “We are thrilled to have the WV N.T.P.A Championship back again on Memorial Day Weekend 2015 and we are looking forward to another great event.”
Tickets for the WV Grand National NTPA events go on sale December 2 and can be purchased through www.statefairofwv.com or by calling ETIX at 1.800.514.ETIX (3849). Tickets will go on sale at the State Fair Box Office later in the year.
Advanced ticket prices are available for adult tickets and reserved seating. Ticket holders will have access to pit areas and food concessions will be available. The State Fair Event Center also offers full hookup campsites and reservations can be made by phone at 304-645-1090.
The NTPA is the sport’s oldest and most respected truck and tractor pulling sanctioning organization. Governed by a board of directors, the NTPA is managed by World Pulling International (WPI), an independently owned entity. Headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, the NTPA provides rules and regulations and the infrastructures required for organizations throughout the country to arrange truck and tractor pulls. For more information about the NTPA, visit www.ntpapull.com, www.facebook.com/ntpapulling, www.twitter.com/ntpapull, or call the NTPA office at (614) 436-1761.
The 2015 State Fair is themed “It Feels Like Fun. It Feels Like Fair.” and is a 10-day Fair scheduled for August 14-23, 2015. 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. The 200 acre State Fair Event Center hosts over 200 events annually. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.
State Fair Event Center Features Shopping this Winter!
LEWISBURG, WV (11/19/2014)(readMedia)– Winter events at the State Fair Event Center include three great weekly opportunities to shop!
The fairgrounds flea market moves inside the heated West Virginia building for the winter season this Saturday, November 22, 2014. Markets are held every Tuesday and Saturday with a special Christmas Open House set for Saturday, December 13th, 2014. One day setups for the Christmas Open House are by reservation only.
The indoor flea market provides shoppers an opportunity to “treasure hunt” and local vendors an affordable indoor retail location through the cold winter months! Look for a variety of antiques, collectibles, gently worn clothing, electronics and more. Tuesday markets are 7:30 am to 1 pm and Saturday markets are 7:30 am – 1:00 pm. Jim’s Drive In operates the food concession for the indoor flea markets. Vendors interested in participating may phone 304-645-1090 or visit statefairofwv.com to download a vendor application and rules. Applications may also be obtained in the State Fair office, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 pm.
Fans of locally grown produce and locally produced farm products will have the opportunity to shop every Saturday beginning December 6th at the new Wild Wonderful Indoor Winter Farmers Market in the 4,000 square foot, heated, Douglass Annex building. The market is open to any small independent producer in the southeast region of West Virginia. Vendors who expect to sell at all or most of the markets may request a dedicated space that will be theirs for the duration of the market. Vendors who will only set up occasionally will be assigned a space by the Market Manager depending on what is available.Vendors may sell any produce, food or value added products that are grown or made on land under their control (their farm or land leased or rented by them for their own use). A variety of
special events, including culinary demonstrations, food preservation workshops, cake decorating and holiday themed activities are planned throughout the winter and on each market day. For an application and market details, please phone 304-445-7068, or download an application at statefairofwv.com or lewisburgfarmersmarket.com, or email nuttyknollfarm@yahoo.com.
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 200 events annually. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.
State Fair of WV Scholarship Available Online
LEWISBURG, WV (11/17/2014)(readMedia)– Applications for the 2015 State Fair Scholarship program are now available online. In association with corporate, civic and individual contributors, and with support from the State Fair Endowment, five $1,000 (four year) scholarships will be awarded to individuals who have participated in one or more of the following areas at the State Fair:
1. State Fair Junior Show – market animals, purebred animals and dairy.
2. Equine Programs – State Fair’s Open Horse Show or Junior Horse and Pony Show.
3. 4-H and FFA Youth Exhibit Program – 4-H and FFA Underwood Youth Center.
Applicants must be pursuing a vocational trade, associate or bachelor degree, and must have participated in the junior livestock show, equine show or 4-H and FFA Youth Exhibit Program within the previous five (5) years.
“The State Fair takes great pride in recognizing the youth of our state for their hard work and for their contributions to agriculture and the Fair through our scholarship program” Agricultural Competitions Manager, Kelly Collins stated. “We are happy to say that we have simplified our online application process and we look forward to meeting the 2015 class of recipients.”
All State Fair Scholarship applications and supporting documents must be filled out on the online application. Letters of recommendation may be mailed to the State Fair Office or be emailed to kellyt@statefairofwv.com by January 15, 2015.
Applications are available online at www.statefairofwv.com.
The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million dollar economic impact on West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. The 2015 Fair themed “It Feels Like Fun. It Feels Like Fair.” is set for August 14-22.
State Fair of WV to Sponsor 4th Annual Christmas Barn Decorating Contest
LEWISBURG, WV (11/06/2014)(readMedia)– Local civic groups and businesses are invited to participate in the 4th Annual Christmas Barn Decorating Contest at the State Fairgrounds in Fairlea. Participants will have the opportunity to decorate one of ten harness racing barns located adjacent to Route 219 North.
Kelly Collins, agricultural competitions manager stated, “This is always an exciting competition for us and it is becoming a great tradition for the community. We are thrilled to see what creativity and holiday spirit entrants come up with this season!”
The winning entry will receive $300, with second and third place receiving $200 and $100 respectively. Only the east end of the barns will be decorated and work must be completed by Monday, December 1, 2014.
Phone 304-645-1090 or visit the State Fair office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:00 pm to get an entry form and details. Entry forms can also be found on the fair’s website at www.statefairofwv.com and emailed to cboothe@statefairofwv.com.
Don’t forget to visit the State Fair’s Facebook page to cast your vote for the “People’s Choice” award and help the winning entry receive a selection of State Fair merchandise!
The State Fair of West Virginia, with an $13.8 million dollar statewide economic impact, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. The 91st annual State Fair of West Virginia is a 10-day event scheduled for August 14-23, 2015, themed “It feels like FUN. It feels like FAIR.” For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com.
State Fair of West Virginia Adds Additional Day for 2015
LEWISBURG, WV (11/03/2014)(readMedia)– State Fair officials have announced the 2015 fair theme and confirmed that the fair will increase from a nine day fair to a 10 day fair with the dates being August 14-23, 2015.
Kelly Collins, Media Contact, stated “Adding Sunday on the final weekend makes sense as it gives those with school children an additional weekend opportunity to attend. Tentatively, all buildings will close at 5 p.m on Sunday, Aug. 23, and the fair will close at 7 p.m. We are currently working on entertainment and competition schedules, and will make announcements as items are confirmed.”
The 2015 fair themed, “It Feels Like Fun. It Feels Like Fair.”, will feature new and exciting free grounds entertainment, an additional night of Twilight Harness Racing, and new gate discount promotions.
For details on the 2015 State Fair of West Virginia, please visit www.statefairofwv.com.
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 and Twitter.
View Online: http://readme.readmedia.com/State-Fair-of-West-Virginia-Adds-Additional-Day-for-2015/9861977
