The Faces of a Fair
WOW! We’ve made it through the 89th Annual State Fair of WV. Â What an amazing ride it was. Â Now that the rides are gone, the animals have moved back to their homes and you can no longer smell the goodness of tasty, deep-fried treats, there is a feeling of sadness on the grounds.
We, the staff of the SFWV, work tirelessly year around to produce a Fair that is committed to our traditions of agriculture, education and family fun. Â To make that happen we create and value the partnerships that we have with our sponsors, commercial exhibitors, food concessionaires, exhibitors, carnival operator, volunteers and so many more!! Â You’ve likely heard the phrase, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’; well I say that ‘It takes a village to create a Fair’! Â Here are just a few of their stories.
The Cross family has been with the State Fair of WV as a food concessionaire since 1979. Starting with the Elephant Ear trailer, then adding Cowboy Dan’s in 1985 then Billy Bob’s in 1991. You can visit any one of their 3 food operations (Billy Bob’s, Cowboy Dan’s Meathouse or Elephant Ears) and find everything from italian sausage, to elephant ears, to sweet potato fries, to the infamous donut burger!!  Beginning with their father, Dan Cross, and now with Becky, Danielle, Debbie, David and other family members, the traditions of deep fried dough, scrumptious burgers and sausages is set to continue. Coming right along to follow in the family business is baby Daniel, 3rd generation ‘Cowboy Dan’; pictured here with his mother, Danielle, at his very first State Fair of WV! Before you know it Daniel will likely be able to show us all a thing or two about life as a food concessionaire.
Celebrating 60 years of ice cream tradition in 2013 was the Hlay family, owners of Trudy’s Dairy World.  Now 87 years old, David Hlay, remembers when the State Fair of WV was a much smaller affair and Mr. Tom Sydenstricker, was Fair Manager. David began his time with the State Fair in 1953 with a small ice cream truck, selling ice cream cones for a mere $0.10 a piece!! The Fair continued to grow and expand over the next several years.  The growth of the grounds and indeed the growth of business lead Hlay to build a permanent structure in 1984 near the State Fair Cafeteria ~ considered to be a prime location within the Fair.  Sons, David & Steve, carry on the traditions of Trudy’s Dairy World, year after year ~ fair after fair.  Family patriarch, David, sums up 60 years of changes by saying, “The shows are better, the horses are bigger; we just love it.”
Reithoffer Shows has provided our Carnival Midway for over 20 years now. Over that time, the Fair’s midway has expanded to 50 rides that are suitable for all ages and appeal to even the most daring of Fairgoers. Â Reithoffer Shows has been a family owned and operated business since 1896 when Julius Reithoffer purchased a steam-driven carousel. Â Originally moving from town to town via railways, the show was able to expand their route when they took to the roads in 1918. Â By splitting the show into units and focusing on rides, Reithoffer was able to bring the business through the tough times of the Depression. Â Entering into the 60’s and 70’s, saw an upswing in excitement as super spectacular rides were brought into the midways. Â The 5th generation of Reithoffers are poised and ready to continue taking the Show into the future. Â We now offer Mega Passes & Big Passes that are good for unlimited carnival rides for any day of the Fair along with an assortment of games, food and more!
To make the State Fair of WV happen, we count on our employees and volunteers for execution of our programs, entertainment schedules, judging of exhibits/competitions, cleaning and just about anything else you can think of that might need to be done.  Craig ~ Concessions Manager for Reithoffer Shows, Greg ~ owner of Miller & Co. Concessions and Phoebe ~ member of the SFWV Board of Directors came together to serve as judges for the ‘Next Big Fair Food’ competition while Nick ~ General Manager for Reithoffer Shows and Donna ~ from First Energy Corporation eagerly greeted Fairgoers as they brought canned goods (to be donated to area food banks) for Magic Monday.  All though Randi ~ Special Events & Concessions Manager and Kelly ~ Agricultural Programs Manager, both have their hands full with their normal Fair responsibilities, however, it’s not unusual to find them collecting trash or shoveling out barns; in this photo they were able to steal a few moments to meet the members of Parmalee! Also pictured is Garret – WV Building Coordinator for 2013, posing for a ‘selfie’ with Randi as they were headed out to award some of our Concessionaires with medals for well decorated and represented booth spaces.
So you see, these are just a very few of the faces (and some of their stories) that make the State Fair of WV a ‘Tradition to Treasure’!
Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expo of the Two Virginias
LEWISBURG, WV (08/28/2013)(readMedia)– The State Fair Event Center will present the First Annual Hunting, Fishing Outdoor Expo of the Two Virginias on April 5 6, 2014. Dedicated to the outdoor enthusiast that exists in all of us; this is a chance to visit and shop with vendors offering equipment/gear, demonstrations and information on hunting, fishing, boating/kayaking, biking, camping and so much more!
The Fairgrounds is located in southern West Virginia, and is within 20 minutes of the Virginia border. “We really are pleased to pull together an expo that will appeal to enthusiasts of all ages. Furthermore, enjoying the great outdoors of the Greenbrier Valley, as well as throughout the Appalachia Allegheny Mountains, is what our area and our people are all about!”, explains Randi Nikolas ~ Special Events Concessions Manager for the State Fair. “Our goal is to create an event that brings outdoor enthusiasts to the Greenbrier Valley and showcases what our region has to offer. This will give retailers an additional opportunity to reach consumers in a way that has not yet been offered in the area.”
The Expo will be housed in the WV Building of the Fairgrounds and is climate controlled for comfort. Booth spaces begin at $200 per 10 x 10 space with the option to add additional spaces at a discounted rate. Participating vendors will receive discounts on lodging at area hotels, or may choose to camp in the Fair’s camp ground. The Fairgrounds are easily accessible from I-64; just 3 miles south on RT-219.
The vendor application process is now open and we are currently looking for vendors, outfitters and service providers that cater to these hobbies. Those interested may locate more information by visiting, www.statefairofwv.com, or by calling the State Fair office, 304.645.1090, and speaking with Randi Nikolas.
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.
20,000 Pounds of Food Donated to Food Banks through State Fair Magic Monday Promotion
LEWISBURG, WV (08/17/2013)(readMedia)– The 89th Annual State Fair of West Virginia has been underway since Friday, August 9th, 2013. On Monday, August 12th, fair officials joined with First Energy for “Magic Monday” and generated 20,000 pounds of food through a gate discount promotion. “To say we are thrilled is an understatement,” stated State Fair CEO, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe. “We’ve already distributed the canned food to area food banks and it felt great to watch the food bank trucks being filled!”
Employees of First Energy, The State Fair of West Virginia, and Reithoffer Shows, manned the entrance gates and coordinated the donations of nonperishable food items. The undertaking was part of a fair industry campaign being conducted through the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.
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.
2013 News Coverage from Across the State
Friday, August 9th
State Fair of WV ready to begin
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Come enjoy the W.Va State Fair
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Close bonds formed between fair animals, handlers
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The State Fair of West Virginia opens Friday
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Saturday, August 10th
Plenty of fun at State Fair of WV, rain or shineÂ
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Cool TraditionsÂ
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State Fair hosts its first ever strongman competition
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Sunday, August 11th
State Fair holds recipe challenge
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Monday, August 12th
Scenes from the State FairÂ
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Cow gives birth at the State Fair of WV
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Tuesday, August 13th
Pigs race around track for snacks at State Fair of WV
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Toughman to have W.Va State Fair presence on Aug 16 and 17
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Wednesday, August 14th
State fairgoers find community fun in lottery games
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BMX Riders Rise Above the Fair
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Thursday, August 15th
The Hypnotist comes to the State Fair of WV
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Thompson Square wraps up WV State Fair
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What’s in a name?
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Making sure the rides that make the Fair fun are safe
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Friday, August 16th
Fairgoers Feel The Magic in Fairlea
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Young 4-H Members Showcase Livestock at WV State Fair
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Nerveless Nocks Thrill FairgoersÂ
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Saturday, August 17th
Parking is organized at the State Fair
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State Fair: Elvis is in the buildingÂ
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89th Annual State Fair of West Virginia Opens Friday, August 9th!
LEWISBURG, WV (08/05/2013)(readMedia)– The 89th Annual State Fair of West Virginia opens this Friday in Fairlea and runs through Saturday, August 17th.
The 2013 concert series opens Friday night at 8 p.m. with a free concert by X Factor winner Tate Stevens, followed by one of two spectacular Zambelli Fireworks shows. New to the fair this year is the West Virginia’s Strongest Mountaineer competition taking place at the grandstand on Friday August 9th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fairgoers can enjoy over 339 hours of free grounds entertainment each day of the fair in addition to thousands of agricultural and livestock displays. Carnival enthusiasts will have 52 rides to choose from on the Reithoffer carnival midway and thousands of livestock will be on display and in competition!
“We invite fairgoers to “Feel the Magic” and enjoy West Virginia’s largest multi-day family celebration!” said CEO, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe. Tickets are available for all concerts with details found at www.statefairofwv.com or by phoning 304-645-1090.
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.
First Annual West Virginia’s Strongest Mountaineer Competition to Be Held During 89th Annual State Fair of WV
LEWISBURG, WV (07/23/2013)(readMedia)– The first annual “West Virginia’s Strongest Mountaineer” competition will be held on Friday, August 9th at the State Fair of West Virginia! The competition will be held at the grandstand and will begin at 10 a.m.
Events include the Truck Pull, Deadlift, Log Clean and Press, Farmer’s Handles, and Atlas Stones. Entries are currently being accepted and can be found on nastrongman.com. The entry fee is $55, which includes contest registration and a contest tee shirt. Entries received after July 26th will be $75. All entry fees are nonrefundable. Weight divisions are Men’s Open 201, 231, 231+, Women’s Open 165, 165+, and Men’s Novice 201, 201+. Competitor weigh-ins will be held on Thursday August 8th from 5-7 p.m. and Friday August 9th from 8-9 a.m. A safety briefing for all competitors will also be held Friday at 9 a.m. Awards will be given out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places and 1st place winners in open divisions will be invited to nationals.
Phil Pfister, who was the World’s Strongest Man in 2006 and a resident of West Virginia, will be attending the event.
For more details on the event, please contact Dan Caraway at (304)-533-6177 and visit the event’s Facebook page at facebook.com/wvstrongestmountaineer.
