The West Virginia State Fair: A Tradition Rich in Agriculture, Entertainment and Education
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
This week, I spent the day at the fair with the First Lady and my grandson to participate in Governor’s Day and the annual Healthy Lifestyles walk.
West Virginia is known for having a rich tradition of hosting annual fairs and festivals throughout the state. In its 86th year, the West Virginia State Fair has evolved into one of the state’s top tourist attractions. This is truly one of my favorite opportunities to interact with fellow West Virginians and to meet the people that make this event a success.
From homegrown products and livestock to great food and endless entertainment, the State Fair showcases the best of West Virginia and attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year. Not only does this event allow our youth from development organizations such as 4-H and the Future Farmers of America to showcase their hard work and passion, but it also gives us the chance to come together as a community to celebrate West Virginia’s proud heritage and traditions.
Regardless of your age, the State Fair is a great place to learn about West Virginia and the importance of agriculture. West Virginia’s farmers don’t just feed our own, but people all across the nation. We export everything from poultry and cattle to delicious apples and grains. Farming helped build West Virginia and will continue to be an important part of our culture for many years to come.
I also took part in a continuing a tradition that I started five years ago. I had the pleasure of joining fair attendees for the Healthy Lifestyles Walk throughout the fairgrounds. This event allows us to promote the importance of healthy habits, exercise and the benefits of an overall healthy lifestyle.
The West Virginia State Fair is a great way to close the fairs and festivals season. If you’ve never been before, you owe it to yourself and your family to take part in this great tradition. If you have attended, I encourage you come back and see the growth and continued improvements that are taking place.