LEWISBURG, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – State Fair of West Virginia states that “brighter days are ahead,” announcing the 96th annual State Fair has been scheduled for Aug. 12 through Aug. 21, 2021.
Last year, although they were given the go by Gov. Justice, the State Fair of West Virginia Board of Directors voted to cancel the 2020 State Fair after seeing numerous COVID-19 outbreaks in the Lewisburg area.
Before 2020, the last time the State Fair was canceled was in 1942-1945 for World War II.
Kelly Collins, CEO of State Fair of West Virginia, says she and other fair officials will plan a full fair and take elements away if cases continue to rise in the state.
“We have announced what the fair dates will be, but, as we learned in 2020, we have no idea what the next few months will look like. We hope to have one; it’s our job to have one. We are planning with the knowledge that things may change. Right now, we have the time to plan a full fair and will scale back as we need to.”
Collins believes the vaccine rollout will help make this summer’s fair a possibility.
Throughout the planning process, the State Fair of West Virginia will be consulting with state and local officials and the CDC to ensure fairgoers are safe and remain socially distanced during the week-long event.
Collins says mask mandates, as well as socially distanced vendors and rides, will be in place.
“Our job is to help the health officials do their job so we can have a fair and what a celebration it would be if we could have one. Everybody had a rough year, and everybody is ready to get out there and do something. The thought of us being able to have the fair and give that bright spot and bring jot to people is great.”
Collins hopes that the community remains patient as fair officials move through the planning process.
“This is a new experience for everyone, and we are doing everything that we can to give people a great fair this year.
