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Competition, exhibition and tradition are three key components to the State Fair of West Virginia. But it’s the people – and their animals – who make this annual event a must see for so many.
Mya Workman’s pole horse Bugs is ready for competition. Just back from the nationals in Wyoming, the Hillsboro teen is preparing to compete in barrel racing, pole riding and team roping. Workman said to go fast and win, she and Bugs endure years of slow, deliberate training.
“Doing barrel patterns slowly is what it’s all about,” Workman said. “Rodeo is such a humbling sport. You can be doing so great and it’ll humble you so quick. These animals are like family.”
From the heart of Africa, the high flying Zuzu Acrobats come to the fair just off a world tour. Performer Amdul Dora said they are here to entertain and extend a message of global unity.
“My intention is for people to enjoy our show,” Dora said. “We want them to enjoy themselves and for all of us to make the world a better place.”
In the Zuzu audience, there are about a dozen members of Boone County’s Halstead family. Patriarch Jeffery said he’s brought his clan to the fair every year for at least a decade.
“We like it up here,” Halstead said. “We like looking at animals and watching the shows and all of the free concerts. Sometimes we watch a paid concert.”
Coming in from Thaxton, Virginia, Mountain State expatriates Steven and Felecia Elliott said they never miss a West Virginia State Fair.
“We grew up in southern West Virginia. We’ve been coming here since we were little people,” the Elliotts said. “We love going through the animal barns, especially the goats because they have so much personality. It just brings back wonderful memories.”
The State Fair in Fairlea, West Virginia, runs daily through Saturday, Aug. 20.
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Appalachia has a rich history of protest music. Today, some regional musicians are using their voices to oppose data centers being built across Appalachia and the artificial intelligence they power. Folkways Reporter Andrea “river” Peterson has more.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsAI proponents say the technology will revolutionize our lives. It’s also started a conversation about creativity and what’s really art. That applies to kinds of expression that seem to have nothing to do with machines, like crochet. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us this story of how crocheters found AI invading their communal spaces and what they plan to do about it.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsMore than 3,000 pumpkins decorate the Pumpkin House in Kenova, an event that has turned into a community carnival but started out with five simple carved pumpkins.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsOn this West Virginia Week, urban cryptids get us into the Halloween spirit, a researcher revives forgotten musicians and a conversation with a journalist covering data center development.
Continue Reading Take Me to More News
