CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The State Fair of West Virginia is set to begin Thursday, August 12 and will run until Saturday, August 21 in Fairlea, WV. This year, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will be hosting the West Virginia Grown Country Store at the Gus R. Douglas Agriculture Annex Building. The store will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and feature more than 40 West Virginia vendors and their locally grown and produced products. In addition, the store will host product samplings, wine tastings and a maple cotton candy machine run by the West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association.

“Last year, the pandemic forced the cancelation of the State Fair for the first time since World War II. As part of our state’s effort to rebound from the pandemic, we are encouraging everyone to visit and support the State Fair of West Virginia,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “If you have missed previous fairs, take time out of your busy schedules, put aside the distractions, pack up the family and head to Lewisburg. Traverse the livestock barns, take part in a honeybee or maple demonstration and support a local farmer by visiting the WVDA Country Store.”

Joining Us at the West Virginia Country Store

AJ’s Goats N Soaps
Appalachian Botanical Company
Appalachian Mountain Specialty Foods
Bluegrass BBQ
Bluestone Mountain Farm
Blue Smoke Salsa (Vandalia, Inc.)
Brookstone Soaps
Candies by Linda
Cedar Run Farm
Cellar House Harvest
Custard Stand Food Products
Daniel’s Maple Syrup
Daniel Vineyard
Dean’s Apiary
Greenbrier Dairy LLC
Heasley Homestead Maple
In A Jam
Kirkwood Winery
Lem’s Meat Varnish
Lisa Dawn’s Delights
Lovely Creations Handmade Soaps and More
Mix in Magic (Create 304)
Mountain State Honey
M&S Maple Farm
Ruslyn Confections
Sassy Gals Gourmet Treats
Smith Candy
Stone Road Vineyard
Tarbillys BBQ
The Black Dog Coffee Company
The Blue Spoon Cafe
The Happy Hound
The Leavitt Farm
Two Fat Cousins
Up the Creek (Create 304)
Walnut Hollow Farm
We B Fryin’ Snacks
Williams River Farm
WV Harvest
WV Maple Syrup Producer Association
West Virginia Veteran Produced
WV Wilderness Apiaries
Yoders (Vandalia, Inc.)

Agriculture Annex Activities:
*Daily wine tastings
*Featured West Virginia Grown products
*Honeybee hive demonstrations
*Maple cotton candy sampling
*Invasive Insects and Forest Health Displays

Special Events:
*Women in Agriculture Reception, Sunday, August 15, at 11:30 a.m.
*Farm Heritage Award Luncheon, Thursday, August 16, Noon
*Governor’s Day, Thursday, August 19
*Military Appreciation Day, Thursday, August 19

*15% discount to military personnel at WVDA Country Store

Produce Safety & West Virginia Farmers Markets Booth
The WVDA will staff a new education trailer on components of the produce safety rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and West Virginia Farmers Markets rule. The education trailer will have interactive, hands-on activities for both children and adults alike. Staff will also be available to answer any questions.

In addition, growers will be able to sign up for free On-Farm Readiness Reviews or on-site visits to determine improvements to their growing and processing operations. The booth will host daily jeopardy games on produce safety questions at 10:30, 1:30 and 3:30 with prizes, as well as live water infiltration demos each day at 2:30 pm.

West Virginia Hemp Products
The WVDA will have an informational booth to discuss new regulations for hemp products sold in West Virginia. Staff will be available to assist with registrations, discuss labeling and testing requirements and current state rules regarding hemp products.

West Virginia Dairy Programs
WVDA staff will also have an informational booth near the birthing center to discuss West Virginia Dairy Programs. Staff will be available to answer questions about the state’s dairy program as well as host dairy trivia with prizes, daily.

Poultry Building:
The WVDA Poultry Building (located behind the rabbit hatch) will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Inside you’ll find dozens of feathered friends on displays, from turkeys to roosters and the fan-favorite duck slide. With hands-on activities for the entire family, the focus is on the importance of the poultry industry to West Virginia’s economy.

Livestock Exhibition:
WVDA Animal Health staff are available, throughout the State Fair of West Virginia, to conduct entrance examinations of all animals for signs of contagious or communicable diseases. Staff will ensure proper testing and paperwork procedures are met for out-of-state entrants. WVDA Animal Health will be available at their checkpoint trailer located near the livestock gate entrance.

Contact Information:
WVDA Fair Location – Gus R. Douglass Agriculture Annex
WVDA Related Fair Questions – Beth Southern 304-550-3620
Media Inquiries – Crescent Gallagher 304-380-3922
Animal Health – 304-558-2214
State Fair of West Virginia – 304-645-1090