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.
State Fair Receives International Recognition
LEWISBURG, WV (12/07/2012)(readMedia)– The State Fair of West Virginia has received three top awards in the IAFE’s annual industry wide communications awards contest, the purpose of which is to improve the advertising and publicity programs of fairs and to provide recognition for those fairs doing an outstanding job. Awards were received in the following categories:
- First Place – Poster (Artwork created by local graphic artist Matt Landers)
- First Place – Best Promotional Event (The State Fair’s Fun First Endowment Fundraiser)
- First Place – Innovative and Best Executed Sponsorship (For the Hometown RV Village)
“This is a very important competition and to leave the convention with three First Place awards was a great feeling! Budget constraints mean we have to be extremely resourceful with our marketing budget and creativity is the name of the game!” stated Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, CEO. There are a total of twenty-six award categories for the Communications Awards, each divided into 5 divisions by attendance, that a Fair or Expo can enter. The entries are evaluated and judged by a team of industry leaders. These individuals are selected from the membership of International Association of Fairs and Expositions, which has over 1,200 members from around the globe. The awards were presented during the Awards Reception on November 28, 2012, during the 122nd annual IAFE Convention held in Las
Vegas, Nevada. These awards are sponsored by KK Insurance.
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.
State Fair Flea Market Moving Indoors
LEWISBURG, WV (11/05/2012)(readMedia)– The fairgrounds flea market is moving inside the heated West Virginia building for the winter season. The first indoor market will be Saturday, November 17, 2012 with markets scheduled every Tuesday and Saturday until late March.
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. Weekly markets are open 7 am to 1 pm and a food concession is available.
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. Discounts are offered to vendors for long-term space rental.
The State Fair Event Center is a 175 acre multi-purpose meeting and exposition facility providing a wide variety of event rental opportunities.
State Fairgrounds Christmas Barn Decorating Contest Underway Soon!
LEWISBURG, WV (11/02/2012)(readMedia)– Local civic groups and businesses are invited to participate in the Christmas Barn Decorating Contest at the State Fairgrounds in Fairlea. Participants will have the opportunity to decorate one of ten harness racing barns that face Rt. 219 North. Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, CEO, stated “We revived this program during last year’s Christmas season and had an overwhelming response from the community. Everywhere I went people commented on how happy they were to see the barns decorated again during the holidays.” The winning entry receives $300, with second and third place receiving $200 and $100 respectivley. Only the east end of the barns will be decorated and work must be completed by Monday, December 3rd, 2012. 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 can also be emailed or found on the fair’s web site at www.statefairofwv.com.
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 2013 fair is themed “Feel the Magic” and is scheduled August 9-17. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com.
