W.Va.’s 100th State Fair Begins 10-Day Run Thursday

Food vendors at the Mountain State centennial fair plan to have 100th anniversary specials. State Fair of West Virginia CEO Kelly Collins said special commemorative merchandise will be on sale. 

“One of the most special things we have is artist Robert Tuck Wheeler has created our fair poster of the year,” Collins said, “He is from the area. He’s been involved with the fair for years, and he has created a wonderful poster for the 100th anniversary that features a lot of our history. We use jam baskets just out of Sinks Grove, not far from the fairgrounds every year to make our commemorative basket. This year, it’s a nice basket. We’ve got Christmas ornaments and several other items that you’re going to want to snag for the 100th.”

The nightly concert lineups run from country music star Miranda Lambert and rapper T-Pain, to rock legend Kansas and ventriloquist extraordinaire Jeff Dunham. Collins said the main stage entertainment lineup is like putting together a puzzle.

“You try to get a little bit of something for everyone,” Collins said. “Of course, we look at our demographics and tickets that sell. We sell more country artist tickets than we do a lot of others. But we’ve started incorporating some different genres of music, and they’ve done extremely well. Zach Top, he is our artist on Sunday, Aug. 10. He’s an up and coming new country artist. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s amazing. His concert actually sold out in less than an hour. We’ve got Miranda Lambert, who the first time she was ever at the State Fair of West Virginia was 20 years ago, so we’re excited to have her back.”

Collins said daily fair attractions include the popular Swifty Swine Pig Racing and the return of the Sea Lion Splash Show. 

“The Sea Lion Splash, it’s been a few years since they’ve been here,” Collins said. “I always say, ‘How many times are you going to be able to see a sea lion in the state of West Virginia?’”

Collins said the fair was originally started to boost the local economy and showcase West Virginia agriculture. She said 2025 highlights include more than 400 4-H youth exhibitors, a high school rodeo, and the fan-favorite draft horse pull.

“It’s a tradition and a lost art that not a lot of people get to see anymore,” Collins said. “Just to see the power of these animals and how they work. I mean, these horses were born to work, so you’re really showcasing how strong those animals really are. I know people that, that’s the day that they plan to come to the fair. Every single year, they get here early, they grab their cinnamon roll or Ben Allen donuts, and they get a seat in the grandstand and watch that show.”

The West Virginia state fairgrounds are just south of Lewisburg. For hours, prices and full schedules, click here.