Nelly Returning to the State Fair of West Virginia
Fair Officials are excited to announce Grammy Award-winning rap superstar Nelly will return to the State Fair of West Virginia on Friday, August 11, 2023. Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10 AM.
“Nelly put on an amazing, sold-out show here in 2021,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins said. “When the opportunity presented itself, we knew we had to book him again.”
Tickets will only be available via ETIX at https://statefairofwv.com/entertainment/ or by calling 1-800-514-ETIX (3849) Monday through Friday 9 AM – 6 PM, or Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM. Tickets will not be sold at the State Fair Box Office until later this spring.
Nelly
Diamond Selling, Multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and actor, Nelly, has continually raised the bar for the entertainment industry since stepping on the scene in 2000 with his distinctive vocals and larger-than-life personality. His collaboration with Florida Georgia Line received Diamond status and he is only one of seven rappers to reach this honor. He is touring around the globe and recently was the first artist to play in Saudi Arabia with a mixed gender/family crowd. He is the first hip hop artist to play with multiple symphonies nationwide and played himself in BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart. His sports knowledge and love of all sports secured him a gig as a sportscaster with Skip Bayless. 2019 is going to be a huge year for the hip hop mogul, currently Nelly is in the studio preparing for new music to be released in addition to several business ventures to be announced in the first quarter.
Nelly embarked on his music career with Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics, in 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Nelly entered the spotlight with the release of Country Grammar in 2000, spending seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and spawning the massive hits “Ride Wit Me”, “Country Grammar”, and “E.I.”. The album landed Nelly four Grammy Award nominations and sold over nine million copies worldwide. Country Grammar is Nelly’s best-selling album to date, selling over 8.4 million copies in the United States.
Nelly kept the momentum going with the 2002 release of Nellyville. The album debuted at #1 on top of scoring Nelly his first two Grammy Awards for “Hot in Here” – Best Male Rap Solo Performance – and “Dilemma” [feat. Kelly Rowland] – Best Rap Song Collaboration. This album was highly successful and was certified 6x multi-platinum by the RIAA on June 27, 2003. He has since gone on to win multiple American Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, Soul Train Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and was crowned “Top Pop, Rap, and R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of The Year” by Billboard. He has been referred to by Peter Shapiro as “one of the biggest stars of the new millennium”, and the RIAA ranks Nelly as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with over 21 million albums sold in the United States. On December 11, 2009, Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade.
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 98 years on August 10-19, 2023. 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, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv!
State Fair of West Virginia Announces HARDY as First in 2023 Lineup
Officials at the State Fair of West Virginia are excited to announce HARDY as the first concert added to the 2023 Grandstand Lineup on Sunday, August 13. Tickets will go on sale Friday, January 20, 2023, at 10 AM.
“We could not be more excited for the first announcement to the 98th Annual State Fair of West Virginia concert lineup,” CEO Kelly Collins stated. “HARDY is one of the biggest names out there, and if you have not had a chance to see him before, he puts on an amazing show.”
Tickets will only be available via ETIX at https://statefairofwv.com/entertainment/ or by calling 1-800-514-ETIX (3849) Monday through Friday 9 am – 6 pm or Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets will not be sold at the State Fair Box Office until later in the spring.
HARDY
Big Loud Records’ heavy hitter HARDY has never been just one thing. Uncaging his next chapter on January 20, 2023, HARDY will introduce the mockingbird & THE CROW, his dichotomous, 17-track sophomore album and the follow up to 2020 debut, A ROCK. HARDY is the reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year, the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a two-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year, additionally nominated for New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards.
One of CRS’ 2021 New Faces of Country Music and a two-time CMA Triple Play award recipient, the pride of Philadelphia, Miss., has earned his reputation as “a breakout in the making,” (HITS) and “a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive” (American Songwriter). HARDY has written 12 #1 singles since 2018, including his own double platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, and chart-topping Dierks Bentley + BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me.” He’s previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more, and will embark on his own SOLD-OUT headlining Wall to Wall Tour this winter, before launching the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour in 2023.
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 98 years on August 10-19, 2023. 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, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv!
2022 State Fair of WV By the Numbers
LEWISBURG, WV (08/24/2022) (readMedia)– Summer’s largest end of summer party has come to an end as the State Fair of West Virginia wrapped up on Saturday, August 20, with over 170,000 people attending.
“Despite a few days of heavy rain, we ended up having one of the best fairs we’ve ever had,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins stated. “The number of people that came through the gates aside, the true success can be seen in the community and economic impact of this event.”
Some of the most notable numbers include:
• Over 1,600 pounds of food raised during First Energy’s Magic Monday, which was split between five different food pantries.
• The State Fair also hosted its inaugural Big Wheel Bash as a fundraiser for the endowment and scholarship funds and raised over $20,000. Each year, $20,000 is given to scholarships for students from West Virginia to attend accredited schools or trade programs.
Exhibitor Participation
• 7,500 home, arts and garden exhibits were displayed in the WV Building, from over 700 exhibitors.
• Over 350 open livestock exhibitors participated.
• Over 370 junior 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors showed animals, while over 4,500 4-H and FFA exhibits (non-livestock) were on display in the Underwood Youth Center.
Giving Back
• $36,000 paid to civic organizations and/or school programs for services during fair. Some programs and services include:
o Greenbrier East Music Boosters – parking cars
o Eastern GreenbrierMiddle School – trash pickup
o James Monroe FFA – Rabbit Barn Attendants
o Shriners – Concert beer sales
Employment
• The State Fair hired over 210 part-time employees for the 10-day event. This number does not include part-time help for the food vendors, the carnival, and other concessionaires.
• Payroll for the 10 days will top $250,000.
Fairgoer Spending
• Fairgoer spending on food grossed over $3.5 million, which is an average of over $20 per person.
• Reithoffer Shows, the Fair’s carnival provider, set an all-time Fair record for carnival ride gross sales at the State Fair of WV with a final figure of just under $1.2 million.
Attendance
• The Grandstand attracted over 29,000 fairgoers to eight different shows throughout the week
• Overall Fair attendance totaled over 170,000.
User Engagement
• 13M Social Media impressions
• 732,566 User engagements
• Global audience
Other facts and figures
• The State Fair of West Virginia is a 501c3 Non-Profit
• SFWV pays over $75,000 in property taxes each year
• SFWV collects over $120,000 in sales tax each year (figure does not include tax on food or carnival sales which is collected by individual vendors or businesses).
“Outside of the number of fairgoers coming through the gates, it is important for us to look at the entire picture to judge the true success of the fair,” Collins stated. “State Fairs were started to tell the story of agriculture, but to also spur commerce in the local community – two missions we still hold true.”
The 98th Annual State Fair is set for August 10-19, 2023.
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun” on August 11-22, 2022. 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, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv!
State Fair of West Virginia to Start Thursday
LEWISBURG, WV (08/08/2022) (readMedia)– Gates are set to open for “Mountain Grown Fun” at the 97th Annual State Fair of West Virginia this Thursday, August 11, 2022, with gates opening at 9 AM and carnival rides at 11 AM. To celebrate the return of the state’s largest multi-day event, catch opening day specials including $7 gate admission and $25 all-day ride passes.
“We have a great 10-days lined up and cannot wait to open the gates,” CEO Kelly Collins stated. “Whether you are here for the rides, food, concerts, shopping or just plain fun – there is something for all ages to enjoy!”
The 2022 Concert Series features two sold-out concerts this year with Cody Johnson and special guest Randall King (8/11), as well as Zach Bryan and special guest Charles Wesley Godwin (8/18). Tickets are still available for the Buckin’ B Bull Ride (8/12), Foreigner (8/13), Clay Walker and Tracy Byrd (8/14), Restless Road (8/15), Chris Tomlin (8/17), and Walker Hayes with special Guest Tigirlily (8/20). WV-Native Kathy Mattea will also take the stage on Tuesday, August 16, as a free show!
True to its roots, the SFWV will feature a full 10-days of livestock shows including the WV High School Rodeo, Junior 4-H and FFA livestock shows, horse shows, and of course, the fan-favorite Draft Horse Pull on Friday, August 19, at 9 AM.
To help mitigate the potential spread of H3N2v (Swine Influenza), the swine barn at the State Fair will be closed to fairgoers.
“Like every year, Department staff will be checking in every animal who attends the State Fair. But due to recent positive results for swine influenza at another fair, we will be stepping up our effort to ensure a safe environment,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “I want to make it abundantly clear, the State Fair is safe to attend, and we encourage folks to support this honored tradition.”
Fair officials and the WV Department of Agriculture Animal Health will be performing regular checks throughout the barn. Fairgoers are asked to continue to wash hands after visiting any animal exhibit, and those with weakened immune systems should be extra cautious.
Gate specials throughout the week include First Energy’s Magic Monday (8/15), Senior Citizen’s Day (8/16), the Early Bird Special sponsored by Diversified Energy featuring $1 admission from 9 AM – 2 PM (8/17) and Military Discount Day (8/17). Children ages 10 and under will once again get in free all day, every day.
The week is also filled with free entertainment for all ages including Swifty Swine Pig Racing, the Bears of Bearadise Ranch, the Hot Glass Academy, Kidbuck$ Game $how, the Nerveless Nocks, Zuzu African Acrobats, and a packed schedule on the U.S. Cellular Free Stage!
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun” on August 11-22, 2022. 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, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv!
Official State Fair Artwork of the Year Announced
LEWISBURG, WV (06/28/2022) (readMedia)– Ashley Wheeler, from Shady Springs, WV, has been announced as the winner of the First Annual State Fair of West Virginia Official Art Contest. Her artwork titled “Lucky Duck” will be featured as the official print of the State Fair and will be available for purchase at the State Fair merchandise booth at the 97th Annual Event, August 11-20, 2022.
“I have been doing some form of art for as long as I can remember,” Wheeler stated. “I won my very first art contest in the first grade, and from that point on I was hooked.”
Now an elementary school teacher, Wheeler graduated from Concord University where she studied art whenever she could, and earned a minor in studio art. After taking a break from her artwork when she began working full-time, Wheeler picked her passion back up during the pandemic and now has 15 paintings at local businesses. Her specialty is animals.
The selected painting for this contest features a young boy holding a duck with some of the more iconic fair images in the background. It will be available as a print or poster for purchase this year.
“Having my artwork chosen for the print of the year is a great accomplishment that I am very proud of,” she concluded. “My ultimate dream is to be able to paint full-time.”
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun”, on August 11-22, 2022. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million-dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 Š 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, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv2022!
State Fair Announces 2022 Scholarship Winners
The State Fair of West Virginia is pleased to announce the awarding of five (5), $1,000 four-year scholarships to youth who have participated in the State Fair, excelled academically, and demonstrated leadership and civic responsibilities.
“It’s an honor to be able to recognize these young men and women who not only represent our fair well, but the entire state of West Virginia,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins stated. “We hope that they continue to excel wherever they may go.”
2022 award recipients and the schools they are attending are:
Lauren Ballard, Waiteville, WV – South Dakota State University
(Recipient of the Thirteenth Annual Gus R. Douglass Scholarship)
Delaney Lucey, Glen Easton, WV – Oklahoma State University
Emma Kesterson, Crawley, WV – West Virginia University
Mason Glascock, Fraziers Bottom, WV – University of Kentucky
Willa Gibson, Renick, WV – North Carolina State University
This scholarship is funded through the State Fair Endowment, which was created in 2006 to ensure the long-term support of three key areas; Scholarships, Career Advancement Initiatives, Youth Educational Enrichment Programs, and Agricultural Competitive Exhibit Premiums.
Scholarships will be awarded during the 2022 State Fair.
The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 97 years of “Mountain Grown Fun”, on August 11-22, 2022. 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, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv2022!
