History of a Fair
The sweet smell of hay, the hardened & tanned hands of the men showing their livestock and the beautiful craftsmanship of fine needlework that can only be handed down from generation to generation, is a sampling of what you would have seen at the first recorded Fair in Greenbrier Valley, Virginia in 1854.
The Declaration of Independence was only 78 years old when the Greenbrier Agricultural Society began organizing and having an annual fair where agricultural accomplishments could be displayed. The first Fair was conducted at Mr. Nesmith’s Grove on approximately 2 acres of land. The location of this event was determined by current historians to be at the corner of Washington and Lee Streets in Lewisburg; about 150′ northeast of the present location of Lewisburg United Methodist Church.
The ‘Traditions you Treasure’ began many years ago and evolved as much as the locations have. In 1858, the Lewisburg event gained the distinction of being called “a fair of proportions” and featured many entries, including an iron-gray yearling colt that took home the Blue Ribbon. That same colt would later gain fame as Robert E. Lee’s warhorse, Traveller! Also on display during this same show, was the first sewing machine ever brought to the County.
The formation of West Virginia during the Civil War placed Greenbrier County in the new state and it was in 1869 that a Fair was conducted for the first time in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Once again a famous animal was entered in the Fair, as the Ludington Steer took home top honors. This Shorthorn Steer, owned by Mr. Samuel C. Ludington, was the largest steer in the world, weighing 4,450 pounds! The steer was noted for being “…so broad across the back that a half-bushel of shelled corn could be poured on its back and not a grain would roll off.”
The tradition of entering livestock, home arts, agricultural produce, equine and more, for judging is what the State Fair of WV is built on. Through the years Fairgoers have enjoyed bringing their families to enjoy all of the sights, sounds, and yes, the delicious smells of the Fair. These are the Traditions that we embrace and love sharing with you every year.
Look for future posts to continue the story of the State Fair of WV!
State Fair Announces 2013 Concert Lineup!
The State Fair of West Virginia continues a magical tradition of awesome summer concerts with the announcement of it’s 2013 concert series:
Friday, August 9 – 8pm: FREE WITH GATE ADMISSION – TATE STEVENS – In December 2012, Stevens was crowned the season two winner of Fox’s X Factor USA, Inc. Never placing lower than second throughout the competition, the Belton, Missouri native won voters over with his everyman appeal, devotion to his family, and the fact that he was keeping alive the dream of being a superstar at age 37. Fans saw his debut single “Holler If You’re With Me” during a Pepsi commercial that aired during the 2012 Grammy’s. “The Power of A Love Song” was recently released to country radio and his album will debut in April.
Saturday, August 10 – 8 pm – Casting Crowns – (onsale 4/11/13) – This prolific Contemporary Christian Music band has held the position as Billboard’s top selling Christian band since 2007. Since its launch in 2003 the band has garnered 14 GMA Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards and an American Music Award. Casting Crowns has sold more than 8.2 million albums and recently celebrated its first RIAA certified Gold single, “Who Am I,” from its 2003 self-titled debut. The song, selling more than 500,000 copies, is one of only 12 Christian tracks ever to secure Gold status. Their most recent album “Come to the Well” is filled with songs that both challenge and encourage believers in their walk.
Sunday, August 11 – 6 pm – Austin Mahone Coco Jones (onsale 3/28/13) – Austin Mahone may have discovered music the old-fashioned way but his rise to stardom has been cutting edge. By age 16 and in 2012, he’d garnered1.8million Facebook fans, 1.5 million Twitter followers, 545k YouTube subscribers, and notched over 96 million views without a record label or marketing team. Selling out shows at the Best Buy Theater Times Square and Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, he landed on Live with Kelly and Michale, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, E News, and VH1. His first official release “Say You’re Just a Friend” features Flo Rida.
Coco Jones starred in the #1 Disney Channel film of the year “Let It Shine,” which racked up 5.7 million viewers. Her fresh talent attracted bookers for Essence Music Festival’s “New Next” concert where she performed alongside Diggy Simmons in 2012. Her video “Holla at the DJ,” her debut single, surpassed 1.4 million views in a mere 2 months, and garnered praise from MTV news who likened Coco’s video performance to a “young Beyonce”. There’s something happening here, and her name is Coco Jones. “I describe my songs as a personal journal,” says the Tennessee native. “I like to write about relatable female empowerment.”
Monday, August 12 – 8 pm – FREE WITH GATE ADMISSION – FMX Championship MotoCross
Tuesday, August 13, 8 pm: Josh Turner and Dustin Lynch – (onsale 3/28/2013) – Josh Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers. Earning numerous CMA, ACM and GRAMMY nominations since the release of his debut album, Long Black Train, Josh Turner has sold more than five million albums and garnered four No. 1 hits (including three multi-week chart-toppers): “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance” (a four-week No. 1 that was named the most-played song of the year in 2010 by MediaBase). His song, “All Over Me,” from Haywire also reached the top spot on the charts, making him one of only seven country artists to have two No. 1 hits in 2010. Celebrating one of his fastest-rising singles to-date, “Time Is Love,” Turner released his
fifth studio album, Punching Bag on June 12, 2012 which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart.
Dustin Lynch’s self-titled, inaugural album which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart made him the ONLY new male act to have his album land at #1 in 2012. His debut single, “Cowboy and Angels,” is on its way to Platinum with nearly three quarters of a million singles sold. “Cowboys and Angels” – which has become an iconic, modern day classic – reached #2 on both the Billboard and Mediabase Country Songs charts and has earned Lynch two 2012 FOX American Country Award nominations for “Single of the Year – New Artist” and “Video of the Year – New Artist.”
Wednesday, August 14, 8 pm: Eli Young Band and Love and Theft (onsale 4/11/2013)- It’s a crazy-good story. The Eli Young Band-four musicians who met during their college days in Texas-is now 11 years into a career built on touring without a single lineup change. That dedication is paying off big-time as the band enjoys a crazy new level of success. They sell a crazy amount of tickets. Get a crazy amount of airplay. And are selling a crazy amount of downloads-EYB received their first platinum record for “Crazy Girl” and have sold over 1.5million downloads of the track.
The ACM nominated DUO Love and Theft’s rollicking first single “Angel Eyes”-which scored the twosome their first CMT Music Awards nomination for Duo Video of the Year-brought to mind Elvis Presley’s “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise.” Their self-titled 2012 album “Love and Theft” was released on RCA records and the first single “Runnin Out of Air” is climbing the country singles charts.
Thursday, August 15, 8 pm: Thompson Square and Randy Houser (onsale 3/28/2013) – Fans began truly getting to know their way around Stoney Creek Records’ Thompson Square with the release of their GRAMMY nominated #1 Platinum+ radio smash, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” a fitting introduction to the Thompsons’ natural chemistry and spirit of buoyant romance. iTunes’ Country Song of the Year (2011) grew meteorically to become the Most Played Song at Country Radio in 2011 (Mediabase) as well as reach the top of the Billboard Heat Seekers Chart. Additionally, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” spent five consecutive weeks at #1 on the Country Digital Soundscan chart and 12 consecutive weeks as the #1 Country Ringtone. Thompson Square earned three fan-voted American Country
Awards for Single of the Year by a Group, Single of the Year by a New Artist and Music Video of the Year by a New Artist. “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” also earned two GRAMMY nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/ Group Performance of the Year as well as an American Music Award Nomination for “New Artist of the Year.” One month later, Thompson Square dethroned Sugarland to become the 2012 Academy of Country Music’s “Vocal Duo of the Year,” making Thompson Square the first new duo to win the award in 20 years. Two after that, Thompson Square’s follow-up smash, “I Got You,” earned the duo a fan-voted 2012 CMT Music Award for “Duo Video of the Year.” In November 2012 , Thompson Square’s peers crowned them with the CMA’s Vocal Duo of the Year award. Now, with the much-anticipated
release of, “If I Didn’t Have You,” the duo’s lead single from its upcoming sophomore album, Thompson Square moves up the ranks to support Luke Bryan on his first-ever headlining tour in 2013.
Randy Houser is a man refreshed. “I don’t know how it happened, but everything in my life has started lining up,” says the Lake, Mississippi native. “I must have done somebody right in the past.” Houser’s own past contains no shortage of achievement, including multiple nominations for ACM and CMA Awards, a #2 single in the form of “Boots On,” and songwriting credits for major names such as Trace Adkins, Justin Moore and Chris Young. In 2008-mere months after the release of his debut single, “Anything Goes”-Houser was even asked by David Letterman himself to appear on the Late Show. The singer’s first full-length, Anything Goes, came out later that year, followed in 2010 by They Call Me Cadillac. And yet despite this early success, Houser now admits that he wasn’t truly happy. “It seemed
like professionally things weren’t as great as they could be, and that was part of it,” he says. “But the biggest thing was not having a homebase. I needed an anchor.” He found one last year when he married his wife, Jessa. “All of a sudden it was like I had this piece that had been missing,” he says with audible gratitude. Another piece-son West Yantz Houser-arrived this past spring, as did a crisp new look and a pact with Stoney Creek Records. Those positive vibes ripple through “How Country Feels,” the sparkling first single from Houser’s upcoming Stoney Creek debut, which he’s currently cutting with producer Derek George.
Friday, August 16, 8 pm: Theory of A Deadman (onsale 4/11/2013)-The platinum-selling Vancouver quartet builds arena-ready hooks around hard rocking stories of good times, bad times and everything in between. On their latest album “For the Truth Is”, they feature “Lowlife,” a raucous anthem celebrating simple pleasures, “Hurricane” that stirs up a storm of emotions over an orchestral hum of guitars and massive chorus and “Head Above Water,” which delivers an uplifting, contemplative message encased in mid-tempo rhythms. Theory of a Deadman-Tyler Connolly [Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar], David Brenner [Rhythm Guitar], Dean Back [Bass], Joey Dandeneau [Drums]-are telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth, like it or not. For The Truth Is…, Theory of a Deadman preserved the sound that fans worldwide have grown to love on Scars Souvenirs [2008], Gasoline [2005], and Theory of a Deadman [2002], while expanding, enhancing, and evolving their approach. The band solidified their place at the top of modern hard rock by exceeding Platinum sales with their breakthrough Scars Souvenirs and with #1 Mainstream Rock Radio hit “Bad Girlfriend.”At the same time, other singles, “So Happy” and “By The Way,” became crowd favorites on tours with everyone from Mötley Crüe and Godsmack to Daughtry and label mates Stone Sour. For The Truth Is… the band stuck to what works best and are taking it to the next level.
Saturday, August 17, 8 pm: Buckin’ B Bull Ride and Parmalee (onsale 4/11/2013) – Parmalee is a Southern Country Rock band hailing from Greenville, North Carolina. Their name was derived from the tiny, southern town of Parmele, NC, located a couple miles from their hometown, where they started creating music together in a small barn. Parmalee consists of lead singer and guitarist Matt Thomas, bassist and vocalist Barry Knox (Matt andScott Thomas’ cousin), Josh McSwain (lead guitar, vocals, and friend), and drummer Scott Thomas (Matt’s brother). Through the band’s extensive touring and self-marketing, Parmalee is quickly becoming a band to be reckoned with in country music. Their current single “Carolina” is making an impact in country radio and it follows their rollicking,
rowdy single “Must Have Had a Good Last Night”!
State Fair CEO, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, states, “We have been working hard since last September to bring a modern, diverse lineup to our fairgoers. When combined with the largest carnival midway in the mid-Atlantic, over $100,000 in grounds attractions that are offered free with gate admission and our thousands of agricultural and livestock exhibits we are ensuring that fairgoers will definitely “Feel the Magic” August 9-17!” Ticket prices and details on how to order can be found at www.statefairofwv.com. Tickets will 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.
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.
Traditions You Treasure, A Legacy to Cherish
“To produce a quality fair, committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education; and to develop non-fair events that utilize the existing facilities, that create opportunities for growth, and that benefit the community served by the facility.”
That is the mission of the State Fair of West Virginia.
The Fair has grown over the decades, and remains faithful to the founders’ vision as evidenced by that mission. In support of that mission, the State Fair of WV Endowment was created in 2006 to ensure the long-term support of three key areas; Scholarships & Career Advancement Initiatives, Youth Educational Enrichment Programs as well as Agricultural & Competitive Exhibit Premiums.
The Endowment, in conjunction with key corporate sponsors and individuals, support our Scholarship program which provides five,
4-year scholarships annually at $1000 a piece for each year that student maintains their academic standards. For every year that we make an award, we commit $20,000 for that class of Scholarship recipients.
Enrichment programs for our Youth occur not only during the week of the Fair, but throughout the year via school based partnerships in education programs. These programs are designed to improve the appreciation for and understanding of agriculture through hands-on classroom activities. Our Youth are the Fairgoers and Board members of tomorrow and we aspire to provide opportunities in areas such as leadership growth and communication of the agriculture message.
Through the years, hundreds of West Virginians have participated in State Fair competitions. The thrill of victory and the sorrow of defeat are important life lessons. We believe that it’s imperative for tomorrow’s youth to have the same opportunities. For some, the defining moment was winning their first blue ribbon and for others it is spending their first prize winnings.
“Nowhere do I feel prouder to be a West Virginian or a farm girl than I do at the State Fair” ~ Susan Wilkins
“All the projects I have taken have taught me how to work hard, make decisions, and develop initiative” ~ Tashua Allman
“One of the highlights of the Fair for me is bringing my family and friends into the Youth Center to show off my blue ribbon projects” ~ Alexandra Spangler
2013 Farming Heritage Entries Sought
LEWISBURG, WV (02/20/2013)(readMedia)– Farming families are being sought as applicants for the 2013 Farming Heritage Award that is being offered by the State Fair of West Virginia and the West Virginia Farm Bureau.
The Farming Heritage award will be presented to a family that has strived to maintain its rural lifestyle by contributing to the community, acting as role models, dedicating time to efficient agricultural production, and maintaining the upkeep of their farm through generations.
The winning family will be treated to an award ceremony during the State Fair on August 15, an award luncheon, overnight accommodations, free admission, preferred parking, and a Natural Stone Sign award with the family’s name that may be displayed indoors or outdoors. A photo and brief biography of the winners will also be displayed in the Gus R. Douglass Annex during the Fair.
“The Farming Heritage Award honors an agricultural family, and their multi-generation contributions to their community and to West Virginia. The official state seal, featuring a farmer, is the logo of the award program,” said Karen Lilly, Administrative Assistant, State Fair of West Virginia.
Entry forms may be completed by family members or by someone who wants to nominate a family for consideration. Judging will be conducted by an independent panel of judges.
All entries must be in the State Fair office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3.
Entry applications are available through the State Fair by calling Karen Lilly @ 304/645-1090 or visiting www.statefairofwv.com. Farming Heritage applications are also available through the West Virginia Farm Bureau office by calling LeVera Gillum @ 304/472-2080 ext. 302 or visiting www.wvfarm.org.
2013 State Fair Scholarship Applications Available
LEWISBURG, WV (01/07/2013)(readMedia)– Applications for the 2013 State Fair Scholarship program are now available. In association with corporate, civic and individual contributors, and with support from the State Fair Endowment, five $1,000 (four year) scholarship awards will be made 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. All applicants 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,” Agricultural Competitions Coordinator, Kelly Tuckwiller stated. “This program is over 20 years old now, and we hope to continue to grow it each year.”
Scholarship applications and supporting documents must be postmarked by March 5, 2013.
Applications are available online at www.statefairofwv.com or by contacting the State Fair office at 304-645-1090, email kellyt@statefairofwv.com or State Fair of West Virginia, P.O. Drawer 986, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
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 2013 Fair themed “Feel the Magic” is set for August 9-17.
State Fair of WV and S.J. Neathawk Celebrate 3rd Year for Youth Leadership Council
LEWISBURG, WV (12/17/2012)(readMedia)– The State Fair of West Virginia in partnership with S.J. Neathawk Lumber is excited to celebrate the third year of their partnership with the Youth Leadership Council. According to State Fair Special Events Concessions manager, Randi Nikolas, “We’ve truly enjoyed working with the participants from the past two years and are pleased that S.J. Neathawk Lumber has continued their support in this very important effort. Our goal is to further engage our state’s youth in the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment and education while broadening their leadership and organizational skills. S.J. Neathawk is a family run company that has a strong history of supporting youth and this is their way of ensuring strong youth leaders for the future.”
Council members are expected to complete a minimum number of volunteer hours that tie into the preparation and execution of the annual fair, develop programs and events that promote the State Fair Endowment as well as to challenge their leadership and organizational skills. Youth Council members will also have opportunities to be involved in promotional events that support the fair throughout the year. The 2012 Fair, saw Youth Council members supporting the State Fair Endowment by serving in the WV Building as they sold freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Plans are in place to grow the program and to further engage Youth Council members.
The Youth Leadership Council is open to youth ages 16 through 21 and members are selected through an application and interview process. There are six available seats that serve a one-year term. Applications can be found at statefairofwv.com or by phoning the State Fair at 304-645-1090. The application deadline for 2013 is January 18th.
The State Fair of West Virginia, with an $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.
