Tate Steven’s to Perform on State Fair’s Opening Night
LEWISBURG, WV (05/02/2013)(readMedia)– Opening night of the 2013 State Fair of West Virginia will feature Tate Stevens, Fox’s X Factor’s Season 2 winner and Syco Music/RCA Nashville recording artist. His self-titled debut album has debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart this week. The album, produced by Blake Chancey, features his current single, “Power Of A Love Song.” Stevens co-wrote three songs on the album, which also features such acclaimed songwriters as Carson Chamberlain, Dallas Davidson, Drew Davis, Joe Diffie, Ashley Gorley, Ben Hayslip, Wade Kirby, Shane Minor, David Lee Murphy, and Rivers Rutherford, among others.
“I am so proud of this album and so excited that music fans have chosen to spend their hard-earned money to buy it,” said Stevens. “It has been my life-long goal to record an album that people would enjoy, and to see it debut at No. 4 is truly a dream come true. I am a blessed man and so thankful for all my fans.”
GAC’s Daryl Addison raves, “Tate demonstrates an impressive feel for building tightly-woven and fluid melodies… Tate packs a lot into each vocal performance, the result of which is an album full of introductions to his everyman personality.”
Music critic Chuck Dauphin writes, “what really sets Stevens apart is his way with a ballad. Whether it be on the stunning ‘Ordinary Angels’ or on his current single ‘Power of a Love Song,'” he demonstrates a depth that brings to mind artists such as one of his biggest influences, Garth Brooks. Tate Stevens shows on his debut album that he’s got the talent to be a long-term voice in this business.”
The Hollywood Reporter stated that Stevens “makes a country debut, that….shows he may have what it takes to hang in Nashville.”
His August 9th State Fair of West Virginia performance is free with paid gate admission. “I can’t think of a better way to open the State Fair. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to identify artists who are on the rise. We want our fair fans to say “we saw them first at the State Fair of Virginia grandstand”! Tate Stevens may just be in in for the long run!”, stated, State Fair of WV, CEO, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe.
The 2013 State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2013. . 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.
History of a Fair – Continued
From 1883 to 1889, the county fair was held in Alderson and was named the Greenbrier Valley Industrial Exposition. This Fair was the first noted exhibition where demonstrations and displays of technology were shown along with the agricultural displays. Recent advances in farming equipment and house-wares were popular attractions for Fairgoers of all ages. The Fairgrounds were located just north of Alderson on property later owned by Camp Greenbrier.
When the Fair returned to Lewisburg in 1891, it was conducted on property that accommodated many of the activities. An announcement in the Rules & Premiums book for that year describes the following; ‘The Grand Stand is so situated as to completely overlook the Race Course, and from any position in it the gazer can see each stroke of the hoof of the speeding courser from the start to the finish, and is capable of seating 1200 persons. A splendid track, one-half mile in length. Everything is fresh, new and inviting. Ample provisions have been made for the safety and sheltering of stock. Capacious cisterns will furnish an abundant supply of water, and all that tends to the comfort of man and beast will be supplied. The grounds, situated one-fourth mile south of Lewisburg and three and one-half miles north of Ronceverte, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, affords facilities to persons living at a distance to visit the Exposition and is easily accessible to all’.
Entertainment during The Industrial Expositions consisted of flat racing, harness racing and novelty contests for visitors such as Wheelbarrow Races, Potato Races, and Greased Pole Climbing! Entries consisted of Agricultural Implements (Department XI) in which farming machinery including a turnip drill, root slicer, fanning mill, hillside plow, road scraper and a gang plow were displayed.
Throughout the early Fairs, individuals and businesses offered special prizes for specific contests or classes. Money was offered as premiums for displays such as: The Best Saddle Colt, halter broke, under one year old – $2.50 by Jas. T. Rucker; The Best Loaf of Bread – $2.50 by Silas B. Mason; The Best Drilled Soldier in the West Virginia National Guard – $5 by J.W. A. Ford; The Best Spread Knit, by a girl 14 years or younger – $2.50 offered by John D. Johnston.
Early successes and failures of Fairs in Greenbrier County set the stage for the formation of an annual event that would be more popular and successful than any of its predecessors. Although there are no records to show the existence of an annual event during the early years of the 1900’s, small community fairs, which consisted of neighbors meeting to display their goods, continued throughout the period.
One of the highlights of attending the Fair was the family picnic. The first notation of picnics on the Fairgrounds was in the 1896 Exhibitor’s Guide that had a everything closing from 12:30 pm until 1:00 pm for dinner. This tradition, which had existed from the earliest fairs, was a stopping point for everyone to relax and regroup before continuing their exciting day. Preparing for the picnic was usually done the day before attending the Fair and the meal almost always consisted of the same basic foods; including fried chicken, potato salad, fresh tomatoes, and other fresh garden vegetables.
State Fairgrounds Giant Spring Flea Market and Antique Show Coming Soon!
LEWISBURG, WV (04/17/2013)(readMedia)– The Giant Spring Flea Market at the State Fairgrounds is set for May 17, 18, and 19, 2013 th and space reservations are being accepted. Please note that the deadline for discounts on vendor space is May 10, 2013. The three day market features a wide variety of antiques, collectibles, flowers and produce, and new and used merchandise. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available and for more information visit www.statefairofwv.com or phone 1-(304)-645-1090 Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4 pm.
The 2013 State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2013. 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.
Meadow River Lumber Co & the State Fair
Did you know that the building that now houses the State Fair of WV Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places? Why, you ask? The proper name of the building is the Meadow River Lumber Building, originally built by the Meadow River Lumber Company as a Fair display to demonstrate the product line of the Meadow River Lumber Co.. The building has remained on the Fairgrounds since its construction in 1928.
The Meadow River Lumber Company not only has a rich history with the State Fair, but also in Greenbrier County, Southern WV, and indeed the world. The Meadow River Lumber Company operated in Rainelle, West Virginia from 1906 to 1975, and was the largest hardwood sawmill in the world. The mill housed three, 9′ band saws under one roof. In 1928, during peak production, its 500 employees produced 31 million board feet of lumber, cutting 3,000 acres of virgin timber a year.
The plant included a planing mill with the ability to turn out a million feet of flooring, ceiling, siding and trim pieces a year. Six large kilns dried lumber for use in the planing mill. Three miles of lumber piles, some 40′ high, were stacked on the ten (10), 1,300′ long lumber docks. Major products included flooring, hardwood shoe heels, furniture and later, moldings & trim. By the time the mill ceased operation, it was the world’s largest producer of women’s hardwood shoe heels and flooring.
In 1913,the firm created the nearby town of Rainelle. Company-owned houses in Rainelle were plastered and papered inside, painted white outside, and designed for sanitation, with modern plumbing and electricity. Each had a yard and a garden space surrounding it.
Upon receiving this generous gift from the Meadow River Lumber Company, the State Fair has been able to utilize the building to showcase State Fair memorabilia from over the years; everything from Fair posters, to photos, to exhibitor guides, ribbons and more. Most recently the town of Rainelle has used the Museum to showcase their town and to create awareness of the all that is happening in their community.
State Fair Announces Third Annual Pie Bake-Off
LEWISBURG, WV (03/18/2013)(readMedia)– The 2013 State Fair is set for August 9th through 17th and fair officials are looking for West Virginia’s best pie baker! The third annual “Best of the Counties” pie bake off is a competition between each of West Virginia’s fifty-five counties to determine bragging rights for being the home of West Virginia’s best pie baker.
To nominate a neighbor, friend or family member simply visit www.statefairofwv.com and complete the pie bake off ballot. The person receiving the most votes for a particular county will be invited to participate in the contest at the State Fair on Saturday, August 10th. All nominations must be received by the Fair office no later than 12 noon on May 13th. Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st Place – $150 and the limited edition Fiesta Ware/State Fair of West Virginia pie dish, 2nd Place – $100 and 3rd place $50.
2012 Winners were; 1st Place – Jane Bird, Mason County; 2nd place, Susan Kirkpatrick, Gilmer County; Norma Young, Monroe County.
If you do not have access to the Internet, simply submit your name, address, and phone number, and your nominee’s name, address, county, and phone number to State Fair of WV, PO Drawer 986, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
The 2013 State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2012. 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.
Alderson 4th of July Celebration & State Fair of WV Selected as STS Top 20 Events for Summer
The Alderson 4th of July Celebration and the State Fair of West Virginia were recently selected as a Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Top 20 Events for Summer 2013.
Alderson’s 4th of July Celebration is set for July 4-8. With a long-standing history of hosting West Virginia’s largest Independence Day celebration, the five-day event includes musical performances, concessions, a rubber ducky race, grand parade and fireworks display.
“This is a wonderful event, and I am thrilled that we are receiving another distinction for it,” said Event Chair, Karen Lobban, Along with this STS award, the event was also voted “West Virginia’s Favorite 4th of July Celebration” by WV Living magazine.
A second event to be selected is the State Fair of West Virginia scheduled for August 9-17. This annual tradition features family fun, food, rides, livestock exhibits and more.
“We are excited to once again be recognized as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society,” said State Fair CEO, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe. “This year’s 89th annual State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic.” We guarantee an event that is jam-packed with great entertainment, engaging agricultural displays and educational opportunities for all ages.”.
The Top 20 Events list began in 1985 as a way to promote the best events in the Southeast. Nominations must be received by STS members and the two events were nominated by the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in January.
The Top 20 Events publication is sent to over 1,600 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others. The combined circulation runs into the millions.
Founded in 1983, Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism to its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel-related organizations. Its headquarters are in Atlanta.
For complete details on both events, please visit the CVB’s website.
About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB’s mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.
