Cooperative Living September 2022 - 16

FARM LIFE
Livestock, Chainsaw Carvers
and a Funny Waiter
by Adam Culler, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
State Fair of Virginia rides again at Meadow Event Park
C
elebrating the culmination of Virginia's agricultural
growing season and focusing on family fun, the State
Fair of Virginia is returning with more attractions
than ever.
This year's fair will be held Sept. 23 through Oct. 2 at
Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. Featuring an exciting
mix of entertainment, delicious fair
food, thrilling rides and exhibitions
related to Virginia agriculture, forestry
and natural resources, the 10-day event
has something for everyone.
The fair was not held in 2020, but
returned in 2021.
" After a year away, we were
incredibly grateful for the opportunity
to invite the public back and provide a
fantastic experience to everyone who
attended, " says Marlene Jolliffe, the
fair's executive director. " Thanks to our
wonderful guests, we exceeded our
expectations, and we hope to repay their
enthusiasm and dedication with an even
better fair this year. "
NEW FOR 2022
Among new attractions is the Triple Crown Circus,
which will wow crowds with three daily performances
featuring high-flying aerial stunts.
Other new attractions include The Funny Waiter, a
roving performer who will entertain fairgoers with a variety
of waiter-themed props, juggling and stunts. Also scheduled
to perform is The Fire Guy, who will light things up with
fire breathing, fire juggling and high-octane magic tricks.
Guests also can visit the new Otter Adventure attraction,
an interactive water show featuring curious, playful otters.
Returning crowd-pleasers include the racing pigs of
Rosaire's Royal Racers, master chainsaw carver Ben Risney
and two nights of Revenge Roughstock Rodeo's professional
bull riding, bronc riding and barrel racing.
FAIR BITES
After taking a spin on carnival rides in the Virginia Lottery
Midway and Virginia 529 Kidway areas, guests can find a
14 ● Cooperative Living ●
September 2022
The State Fair
of Virginia:
Sept. 23-Oct. 2,
Meadow Event Park,
Caroline County.
bounty of refreshments to satisfy their fair food cravings.
Returning vendors will serve up favorites such as barbecue,
chicken on a stick, funnel cakes, turkey legs and a host of deepfried
desserts. New vendors will serve unique fare such as a
s'more-like dessert called Campfire on a Stick, customized
macaroni and cheese bowls, fried chicken and hotcakes, and
Brazilian-inspired rotisserie beef and
chicken served in pineapple bowls.
On the main stage, the fair will host
a variety of live music ranging from
modern country to Motown, and tribute
acts playing classics from the Eagles and
Elton John. The Crooked Road:
Virginia's Heritage Music Trail series
will return for another year, featuring
musicians from Virginia's Heritage
Music Trail in Southwest Virginia.
BLUE RIBBONS
The State Fair also offers visitors
an opportunity to earn blue-ribbon
bragging rights in multiple arts and crafts,
culinary and horticulture competitions.
Each year, hundreds of participants enter
the competitions and have their entries
displayed during the fair, which contributes to the event's
mission of educating the public about agriculture.
" The experience is so rewarding, " says Traci Garland, a
Richmond resident who has won 10 ribbons since entering
her first culinary competition in 2016. " It's amazing to go
from picking the fruit with my family, to thinking up fun
jam flavors, to entering in the competitions and sometimes
even winning. "
Virginia agriculture is highlighted during the fair through
equine and livestock exhibits and competitions, as well as giant
produce competitions. The ever-popular Young MacDonald's
Farm will again return to Harvest Landing, where children
can interact with farm animals and enjoy the duck slide,
chick incubator and Goat Mountain. 
For ticket and entertainment information, visit statefairva.org.
Additional live updates can be found by following the fair
at Facebook.com/statefairva and Instagram at statefairva.
co-opliving.com
http://www.statefairva.org http://www.Facebook.com/statefairva http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living September 2022
