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Sunny weather boosts West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton A new feature at the carnival at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition has people trying to make their way in large plastic bubbles floating on water.

MINERAL WELLS — If the next three days of the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition are like the first two, organizers say it will be a good year for the fair, in its 46th year.

Russ Collins, vice president of the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition board, said the weather has been in the right spot between “temperatures in the 90s and pouring rain.”

“Last year it started out great and then those last two days of rain killed us,” he said Wednesday. “If we can keep this up, low heat and humidity, it will be a great year.”

Collins said there have been a few changes made for the 2018 edition.

“We have a smaller carnival and we brought back the demolition derby,” he said. “We have the ATV mud bogs on one track and the derby on the other.”

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton The Inferno was among the rides on the carnival at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition.

Collins said the demolition derby has been a feature of the fair for several years.

Another new feature was Prestige Karaoke on the main stage in place of a band and lead performer,

“We’re going to let the people who come to the fair be the entertainment for the fair,” Collins said.

Tammy Bixman, of Parkersburg, said Wednesday was the first time she had been to the fair in a number of years.

Terri Skinner, of Parkersburg, said she has been to the fair over the years but not every year. This year she was there because her granddaughter was showing the hog she raised for the fair.

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Austin Reeves, left, tosses a football to Zach Parsons, right, in front of the West Virginia National Guard exhibit at the 46th annual West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition.

“So far it’s been a good fair,” Skinner said. “It’s been enjoyable.”

Her granddaughter Lilly, a member of the Rebels 4-H Club, said this was her first year showing at the fair.

“I plan to do it again next year,” she said. “I’d like to show a pig and a cow.”

Today’s schedule:

* 9 a.m.: Jr. Dairy Goat Showmanship (Livestock Area); Jr. Dairy Goat Show immediately following; Jr. Dairy Cow Showmanship immediately following; Jr. Dairy Cow Show immediately following

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Looking over scrapbooks in the CEOS exhibition area of the 46th annual West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition on Wednesday are Lilly Barker, Addison Garrett, Chelsea Evans and Brynton Barker.

* 10 a.m.: Jr. Rabbit Showmanship (Livestock Area); Open Beef Registration (Livestock Area)

* 2 p.m.: Ticket Gates Open; Pretty Baby Registration (0-12 months)

* 3 p.m.: Pretty Baby Contest (0-12 months)

* 4 p.m.: Diaper Derby Registration (Open Shelter); Diaper Derby (ages 0-12 months) immediately following Pretty Baby contest; Mud Bog Registration; Carnival Opens

* 5:30 p.m.: Pet Parade

* 6 p.m.: Jr. Beef Showmanship (Livestock Area); Jr. Beef Show (Livestock Area)

* 7 p.m.: Thunderstruck — The Ultimate AC/DC Tribute Band (Main Stage); Mud Bog (Track Area)

* 11 p.m.: Fairgrounds close.

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