Opening day at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition kicked off at 4 p.m. Tuesday with lots of options for food vendors before the pageant and rodeo later Tuesday evening. The fair continues through Saturday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MINERAL WELLS — The 52nd annual West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition kicked off opening day on Tuesday and will be running through Saturday at the fairgrounds on Butcher Bend Road at Mineral Wells.

Tuesday was packed with events which started with the Junior Royalty Pageant followed by the Rafter M Rodeo on the track. Opening day was also senior day which meant the first 100 seniors could attend for free.

“It’s happening rain or shine,” said Fair Board member Ponnie Sampson. “Today is the first day of the pageant, it’ll run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, different age groups will be different days.”

The price for admission is $10 for ages 3 and over and registration for the pageant is an additional $10.

The fair features a petting zoo along with food vendors, carnival rides, and tractor showings. Sampson said they plan to continue as scheduled and it’ll be a gametime decision if the weather goes bad. There are plenty of inside spaces that they plan to move everyone into if there are storms.

2025 West Virginia Interstate Queens Madison Jones, left, and Elizabeth McDonald, right, made an appearance at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition on Tuesday night. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“Hopefully the weather holds off and is good to us at least from 4 to 10 p.m.,” said Sampson. “We just want to make sure that things get done and hopefully people can enjoy a full week of events.”

Also in attendance at Tuesday’s pageant were the 2025 West Virginia Interstate Fair Queens, Elizabeth McDonald and Madison Jones.

“I am super excited for this week,” said McDonald. “It’s gonna be a long week that’s for sure, but I am most excited for the rodeo tonight.”

McDonald was visiting from her hometown in Moundsville after being selected as the 2025 West Virginia Interstate Fair Queen.

“I’ve competed in pageants for a really long time and I love being able to get out there and meet different people from different areas,” said McDonald.

As the food vendors began opening their stands for the week, community members started to filter in from around the area to enjoy an evening at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

As local residents and members from neighboring communities arrived at the fairgrounds, the food vendors and carnival rides started up. There were food options like fried oreos, popcorn, hotdogs and cotton candy available all throughout the walkway.

“I think it’s going to be a good week,” said board member Angie Zoller. “There are just so many good events coming up.”

Zoller said they’re expecting a decent turnout this year.

“I’m hoping that most of the heat waves will hold out until we get through the week.”

Opening day tends to have less attendance and it gains momentum as the week goes on, according to Zoller.

There were lots of food and drink options at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition on opening day. The carnival rides were set up and ready to go Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

***

The fair schedule for the rest of the week includes:

TODAY, Kids Day

* 4 p.m.: Ticket gates open; Livestock learning stations open (livestock area); Today’s highlight-rabbits Phil’s Future Farmers (livestock area) open 4-8 p.m.; Pretty Baby registration (13-36 months) (open shelter); Kid’s Day activities begin (ages 12 and under). Games, bounce house. Sponsored by Thomas Family Entertainment

* 5 p.m.: Carnival opens; Horse Show (livestock area-horse arena); Pretty Baby contest (13-36 months) (open shelter)

The Rafter M Rodeo began at 7 p.m. Tuesday and featured bull and bronco riding, barrel racing and mutton busting for the crowd to enjoy. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

* 6 p.m.: Cowboy Church (horse arena)

7 p.m.: Horse show continues; Premium Karaoke (main stage)

* 10 p.m.: Carnival closes

* 11 p.m.: Fairgrounds close

***

THURSDAY, Armed Forces Day.

Active military personnel admitted free Thursday only with active duty or active reserve duty military ID.

* 4 p.m.: Ticket gates open; Pretty Baby registration (0-12 months); Mud Bog registration; Livestock Learning Station (livestock area); Today’s highlight-goats & sheep. Phil’s Future Farmers (livestock area) 4-8 p.m.

* 5 p.m.: Pretty Baby Contest (0-12 months); Carnival opens

* 6 p.m.: Diaper Derby registration (open shelter); Diaper Derby (ages 0-12 months); (Immediately following Pretty Baby contest)

* 7 p.m.: Clint Carsey and the Track Layers (main stage); Mud Bog (track area) Speed Pit-Consistency Class Showdown, Truck Class (stock to blown rails), UTV (stock to wild). Sponsored by Bosley Rental & Supply

* 10 p.m.: Carnival closes

* 11 p.m.: Fairgrounds close

***

FRIDAY

* 4 p.m.: Ticket gates open; Carnival opens; Livestock learning stations open (livestock area); Today’s highlight-hogs. Phil’s Future Farmers (livestock area) 4-8 p.m.

* 5 p.m.: Mud Bog registration; Hay bale throw, skillet toss registration (fair office); ATV drag racing registration (ATV track area); Carnival opens

* 5:30 p.m.: Hay bale throw, skillet toss

* 6 p.m.: Watermelon eating, bubble gum blowing registration (fair office)

* 6:30 p.m.: Watermelon eating contest

* 7 p.m.: Mud Bog (track area); ATV Drag Racing (ATV track area)

* 8 p.m.: Ridgeline (Main Stage)

* 10:30 p.m.: Carnival Closes

* 11 p.m.: Fairgrounds Close

***

SATURDAY

* 8 a.m. Antique tractor pulls (pulling track); Garden tractor tug pull (ATV drag track)

* Noon: Ticket gates open; Kids pedal tractor pull registration (fair office)

* 1 p.m.: Garden tractor speed pull (ATV drag track); Truck and tractor pulls (track area)

* 2 p.m.: Kids pedal tractor pull (fair office)

* 3 p.m.: Spitting contest registration; Carnival Opens

* 3:30 p.m.: Spitting contest sponsored by PAIS

*4 p.m.: Stone throw registration (fair office); Livestock Learning stations (livestock area) open; Today’s highlight-beef. Phil’s Future Farmers (livestock area) 4-8 p.m.

* 4:30 p.m.: Stone throw

* 8 p.m.: 5 Spot (main stage)

* 10:30 p.m.: Carnival closes

* 11 p.m.: Fairgrounds close