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West Virginia Interstate Fair officials meet with Wood County Commission

West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition Fair Board of Directors President Mike Zoller talked to the Wood County Commission on Thursday about plans for the event this summer. The fair will be held at an earlier date than in the past. The fair this year is scheduled for June 22-26 at the fairgrounds on Butcher Bend Road near Mineral Wells. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition will be holding the fair earlier this summer which officials will hope will bring more people out.

Fair officials appeared before the Wood County Commission on Thursday to discuss the new dates and other concerns about the fair.

This year, the 48th annual fair will be held June 22-26 at the fairgrounds on Butcher Bend Road near Mineral Wells, said West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition Fair Board of Directors President Mike Zoller.

“This is the perfect year to change things up,” he said.

The fair had to be postponed in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

In the past, the fair had been held towards the end of July when the heat index was over 100 degrees. Also, as school starting dates are moved up other festivals and events were being scheduled during that week so officials thought a change was needed.

“The third week of July has become one of the busiest weeks for concerts, fairs, festivals, etc., on the East Coast,” Zoller said. “Moving to June allows for new and more opportunities.”

Fair officials looked at other dates and determined “the last full week of June is a vacant week on the East Coast,” Zoller said.

“It leads into the Fourth of July and it is a clear week for our area,” he added.

Average temperatures for that week are usually 10 degrees or more cooler, officials said.

The board has had to cancel 15 events over the past year which has brought no income in.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is planning to lift the state’s mask mandate on June 20, West Virginia Day.

“We open the 22nd and that is the first break we have had in two years,” Zoller said. “We will have a full carnival, livestock and we have already gotten more vendor applications than we have in the past.

“We are going to make the most of it.”

They are prepared to handle any remaining guidelines if any are in place by then.

Local 4-H leaders pulled out of the fair this year, because they didn’t think they could have livestock exhibits and other projects ready to show by the earlier date. They will be holding their own event, the Wood County 4-H and FFA Summer Showcase, from July 18-24 at the campgrounds across from the fairgrounds on Butcher Bend Road. This will include livestock showing and the livestock sale.

Some fair officials commented that 4-H officials voted not to participate in the fair. The adjustment of 29 days did not work for 4-H officials, Zoller said. Other officials said livestock participants will get a free fair pass just like the 4-H kids had in the past.

Commissioner Robert Tebay asked about land status for the fairgrounds as some ground was recently sold to Zoller. There are 196 acres of fairground land with 29 acres sold.

The sale goes back to an offer made in 2007 and discussed in 2017, Zoller said.

“With no income, the board was left with few options,” he said.

He bought the property but the fair still has use of it and it will be reviewed every 10 years and the fair can buy it back at the rate of acquisition. The ground can revert back to the fair, per its deed.

“It was a source of income (the fair) desperately needed,” Zoller said.

Fair officials are planning to have their own open livestock shows during the fair in June where anyone can come in and show their animal.

Zoller said there will be an Open Beef Show, Jackpot Heifer and Steer Show and a Jackpot Hog Show. They are planning an open Horse Show with competition.

Entertainment for the fair is being lined up with the McCumber Brothers Band on June 22; Karaoke on June 23; Country Cowboy Band on June 24; the Artimus Pyles Band on June 25; and “The Voice” Season 17 winner Jake Hoots will perform June 26.

Track events will include ATV drag races on June 22 and June 25. Mud bogs will be June 23 and June 24. Truck and tractor pulls will be held June 26.

“Hopefully, the change of dates will allow you to grab more income than if it would have been later,” Commission President Blair Couch said. “I think you will have additional people who will want to come out.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

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