CL-September 2024 - 7

FARM LIFE
It's State Fair
of Virginia Time
Annual event draws
200,000 fairgoers each year
by Alice Kemp, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
" W
here Home Grown
Happens " is a fi tting
theme for the State Fair
of Virginia, which celebrates the best
of what's grown, made and raised in the
Old Dominion.
Th ose visiting the State Fair, Sept. 27
through Oct. 6 at Th e Meadow Event
Park in Caroline County, will be treated
to various attractions, entertainment,
shopping and mouthwatering food,
alongside plenty of Virginia agriculture.
" We're excited to bring the theme
'Where Home Grown Happens' to life, "
says Marlene Jolliff e, the fair's executive
director. " Our goal is to maintain
long-held traditions while adding new
programming each year. "
Exciting new amusements will
feature lively lawnmower racing in the
Th rill Pit on opening Saturday; chainsaw
carver Chad Gainey craſt ing one-of-akind
sculptures; and the Strolling Piano
man. Additionally, Doc Belmont's
Magnifi cent Magical Medicine
Show will amaze crowds with illusions
and mystique.
Returning fair favorites include the
speedy swine of Rosaire's Royal Racers,
awe-inspiring performances by Triple
Crown Circus, the Ultimate Stunt
Show performing edge-of-your-seat
BMX feats, and two nights of Revenge
Roughstock Company's professional bull
riding, bronc riding and barrel racing.
Th e fair's Main Stage Concert
Series will showcase a variety of music
genres. Among the performances are
the Brencore Allstars Band featuring
Motown hits; the Caribbean Bomba
and Plana Orchestra with Latin music;
rock band Hinder; country star Lee Roy
co-opliving.com
The State Fair of Virginia off ers one of the largest fair midways in the mid-Atlantic.
It off ers a variety of food, fun and countless attractions for fairgoers of all ages.
Parnell & Great Southern; " King of the
Twist " Chubby Checker; and charttopping
country musician Cooper Alan.
Th e fair wouldn't be complete
without Virginia's talented bakers,
creators and makers engaging in friendly
rivalry for blue ribbons. Winning entries
will be displayed for cooking, quilting,
woodworking, metalsmithing and more.
Some contestants will also face off
during the fair's second live grilled
cheese sandwich competition.
While fairgoers may not be able
to sample the grilled cheeses, they will
be able to feast on classics like corn
dogs and funnel cakes alongside new
savory and sweet treats. Food vendors
abound, including a new spot serving
up gluten-free and vegan options, with
tasty dishes like chickpea tacos and
jalapeño mozzarella kabobs.
Always showcasing agriculture,
" Virginia's Largest Outdoor Classroom "
continues to off er myriad agricultural
activities with milking demonstrations,
the Young MacDonald's Farm tent, the
Giant Veggie Weigh-Off and livestock
exhibits.
New this year are two Alpaca Days
on Sept. 28 and 29. You can see diff erent
breeds of alpacas, watch spinning
demonstrations, feel soſt alpaca fl eece
and shop for alpaca products.
Th e Black Tie & Boots gala will
return to Meadow Hall on Sept. 27 for
a glamorous evening of fellowship and
fundraising. Also returning is the Second
Annual Taste of Virginia fundraising
event on Oct. 3. Th e culinary event
off ers tastings of some of Virginia's
fi nest foods and beverages prepared by
featured chefs, wineries, distilleries and
breweries. Proceeds from both events
will benefi t fair scholarships and youth
programming.
Th e State Fair is held each fall at
its permanent home at Th e Meadow
Event Park in Caroline County and
routinely attracts 200,000 fairgoers.
In 2023, the fair was among 182 diverse
events that drew more than 530,000
visitors to Th e Meadow. Th e venue had
an overall regional economic impact
of $41.5 million.
*
For more information, visit statefairva.org.
Follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/
StateFairVa and Instagram @statefairva.
September 2024 * Cooperative Living * 7
PHOTO COURTESY VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
http://www.statefairva.org http://www.Facebook.com/ http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-September 2024

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