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State Fair of W.Va. opens Thursday

LEWISBURG — Gates are set to open for the 99th Annual State Fair of West Virginia at 8 a.m. Thursday, with carnival rides opening at 11 a.m. To celebrate the return of the state’s largest multi-day event, catch opening day specials, including $8 gate admission and a $25 all-day ride pass.

“We have a great 10 days planned this year, including two already sold-out concerts, amazing fair food, thrilling rides and livestock shows throughout the week,” State Fair CEO Kelly Collins said. “Summer may be ending, but there is still time to get a few more days of fun in!”

The 2024 Concert Series features Turnpike Troubadours (Thursday), Lil Jon with special guest Landon Cube (Friday), Buckin’ B Bull Ride (Saturday), West Virginia’s own Charles Wesley Godwin with special guest Muscadine Bloodline (Aug. 11), Seether (Aug. 12), Anne Wilson with special guest Luke Bower (Aug. 13), Jimmy Fortune (Aug. 14), Bailey Zimmerman with special guest Matt Schuster (Aug. 15), Oliver Anthony (Aug. 16) and Travis Tritt with special guest War Hippies (Aug. 17).

Keeping true to tradition, the fair has a full 10-day schedule of livestock events, including the WV High School Rodeo, Junior 4-H and FFA livestock shows, horse shows and the memorable and fan-favorite Draft Horse Pull at 9 a.m. Aug. 16.

The gate specials offered throughout the week will be the Opening Day gate and ride special (Thursday), Communities in Schools of Greenbrier County — Tools for School Supply Drive (bring in three school supply items or two personal hygiene products and receive $8 gate admission or $25 for rides and gate admission on Aug. 12), Senior Citizen’s Day (Aug. 13), the Early Bird Special featuring $1 admission from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Aug. 14), Military Day (Aug. 15) and an afternoon special for guests arriving after 4 p.m. (Aug. 13-15). Children ages 10 and under will once again get in free all day, every day.

As always, there will also be free entertainment opportunities for all ages, including the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Live Shark Encounter, Butterfly Encounter, Hot Glass Academy and the return of hypnotist Catherine Hickland to the UScellular Free Stage.

The sponsors helping to make the 2024 fair a reality are 99.5 WJLS, Busch Light, Can-Am, Douglas A Bicksler CPA, Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Farm Credit, First Energy Foundation, Freedm AG & Energy, H & M Electric & Construction, Long View Eye Center, People’s Bank, Pepsi, Tractor Supply, UScellular, Warren’s Real Estate and Auction, WV811, WV Adult Education and the WV Lottery.

The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501c3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment and education. For more information, visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Join the conversation by using #sfwv