Pam Dudding Contributing writer
With huge parking lots, booked camper sites booked and side streets packed, in addition to local families guiding vehicles into their yards to park for two weeks of Fair Fun, the West Virginia State Fair continues to be a Craig County favorite.
Every year, the Fair has a smorgasbord of events, a variety of shows, big-name singers, agriculture activities, many animals, delicious food selections, vendors and so much more.
“There’s no lack in what you can do,” people from the ticket booth said. “Rather you want to sit and play bingo and watch shows all day or if you want to ride those crazy rides or if you just want to enjoy all the animals and admire the different outfits people dress cows up in…we have it all here!”
Thousands of people from adjoining counties and states set their calendar every year to attend the West Virginia State Fair.
Campers are lined up, as they enjoy a week or two stay for the diverse events that will be happening daily.
This year, the Fair offered a Mega Pass for all day riding. Another option was that participants could just pay the admission only price and enjoy the free shows, events and vendors.
There was Livestock contests, Home and Garden, Farming Heritage and the all-famous West Virginia State Fair quilt contest.
Many believe that the most beautiful quilts are at this Fair. Ladies sow well-known quilt patterns and others are very talented and design their own. “I got a crick in my neck looking at all of these unbelievably beautiful quilts!” said one lady. “I’ve never seen so many gorgeous quilts in one place in my life.”
They also had their Sixth Annual State Fair Car Show. Colorful vehicles drove in one by one. People had to wear sunglasses, not for the sun, but for the lacquered paint that garnered a lot of attention from each antique, hot rod, rat rod or muscle car.
Special guests were Cole Swindell, Jamey Johnson, the famous Jeff Foxworthy, Toby Mac, Lorrie Morgan and Alabama.
They offered lots of free entertainment, which included: the Disc-connected K-9s, Magic, High Dive, the One-Man Band, the cute little racing pigs, the hypnosis Catherine Hickland, Harness racing and the ever-popular Draft Horse Pull.
Vendors were set up all around the grounds. Some sold clothing and jewelry, while others offered their hot tubs, lawnmowers and buildings or tractors.
Giggles, laughter and smiles were of great abundance everywhere and all day long. It didn’t seem to bother anyone that they had to wait at least an hour just to get some “Cinn-sational” cinnamon rolls of the WV State Fair. One family said they “had to take an extra two rolls for their mom and dad or else they wouldn’t talk to them the rest of the year.”
The Disc-Connected K-9 dogs were a hit the entire day. The owners rescue the dogs and train them to catch frisbees, traveling all of the USA to do their shows, using funds to help save dogs. They’re known as the World-Famous Frisbee Dogs as they are World Champion winners. The children and adults also seemed to enjoy the dogs jumping and catching the frisbees in many ways.
Another favorite free show was the hypnosis, Catherine Hickland. She called on volunteers and had them to sit in chairs. As the event went on, she would cause them, through hypnosis, to fall asleep. As each slept, she would then tell them what to do by her voice or when a certain song was played.
One gentleman was told to find his wife and give her the biggest kiss he had ever given her when a certain song was played. He did, and everyone seemed to think the wife wanted her to play the song again.
She had them to do many funny things and then at the end when all were asleep she blessed them, telling them how special they were and called peace over their lives. All awoke and were surprised at the positions some were in as some were laying on the floor, while others in a different chair.
Of course, for kids and those young adults, the rides were the favorite.
Most rides either took attendees around in circles or swung them up and down until their belly didn’t know which end was up.
Kids enjoyed the carousel, mini roller coasters and the special Spiderman jungle, along with other rides. “I can’t even handle the kiddie rides now,” one parent said as she held her stomach.
This year, bacon was a hit. There were bacon corn dogs and the Harvell’s Ragin Cajun Waffle bacon and chicken waffle sandwich. It sounded really odd, but I tried it. “It was delicious!” as I had to try it, and now I will make it for myself.
As many ate their fair food, enjoying the shade of the covered benches, the ‘One Man Band’ man came to entertain. He played, sang great and told many jokes. An elderly couple decided to get up and dance as he played one of their favorites.
The most obvious thing about the fair was the extreme happiness that was everywhere. Kindness permeated the entire place.
At the end of the evening, crowds were still meandering around the fair and many sitting in the available places.
As people exited the grounds, they were thanked by workers and greeted by policemen to escort them safely across the busy street. “Y’all drive safe and come back next year,” they would say, while mostly everyone answered the same, “We absolutely will.”
