100 YEARS – Guests entering the gates at the West Virginia State Fair were encouraged to take photos in front of the welcoming signage. -- Toni Milbourne

FAIRLEA — The 100th State Fair of West Virginia, held from Aug. 7 to 16, concluded with record-breaking attendance and a diverse lineup of entertainment, marking a century of tradition and community celebration.

This milestone event attracted over 200,000 visitors, surpassing previous attendance records and underscoring the fair’s enduring popularity. The fair’s economic impact on the state was estimated at $16.9 million, reflecting its significance as a major cultural and economic event in West Virginia.

Helping secure the profitability of the event were multiple concerts and shows throughout the week included T-PAIN on Aug. 7; Kansas and 38 Special on Aug. 8; Buckin’ B Bull Ride on Aug. 9; Zach Top with special guest Cole Goodwin on Aug. 10; Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, Drifters, and Platters on Aug. 11; Nate Smith with Preston Cooper who appeared Aug. 12; Wyatt Flores with Kashus Culpepper on Aug. 13; and Lauren Daigle with Franni Cash on Aug. 14. Comedian Jeff Dunham had the crowds rolling with laughter on Aug. 15 and the season’s series concluded on Aug. 16 with Miranda Lambert and Myles Morgan.

In addition to all of those special events, the fair featured a comprehensive schedule of events, including agricultural exhibitions, livestock competitions and various other family-friendly activities. Carnival rides filled a significant portion of the fairgrounds and had those young and old sharing some wild rides as well as some tame ones for the less adrenaline-motivated.

Guests could also peruse several buildings housing vendors of all types–many of them West Virginia specific. Crafts, foodstuffs, animal treats and more could be found throughout the grounds. Whether one wished to do some shopping or just see what was out there and even watch some demonstrations of how things are made, there was something for everyone.

Officials at the State Fair of West Virginia were pleased to offer a commemorative poster for the centennial celebration. The poster was created by renowned artist and long-time supporter Robert Tuckwiller, a native of Greenbrier Valley who is said to have strong family ties to the fair.

The fair’s success was attributed to its blend of traditional agricultural showcases and contemporary entertainment, appealing to a broad audience. This combination ensured the fair’s continued relevance and popularity, securing its place as a cherished annual event in West Virginia’s calendar of events. The 100th State Fair of West Virginia stood as a testament to the state’s rich agricultural heritage and the community’s enduring spirit of celebration.