TAZEWELL, V.A. (LOOTPRESS) – Viola Asbury has been a part of the Tazewell County Fair since she was a little girl. She recalls her and her siblings entering livestock in the fair’s competitions for 4H and watching her dad participate in the annual horse pull.
Asbury, who will be 80 years old in October, is still an active part of the annual event and has helped with the fair in some way for nearly three decades. She is the fair’s superintendent, serves as a board member and is also head volunteer.
The Tazewell County Fair celebrated its first year in 1872 and, today, is the largest continuous running fair in the state of Virginia. It was the event’s reliability, the fact that it could be looked forward to summer after summer, the tradition of it all that Asbury fell in love with. And her heart was broken when the event was not held last year.
The fair, which survived the trenches of World War II and the Great Depression, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was devastating,” Asbury said of the cancelation. “I just couldn’t take it. But we kept going and are here this year. Next year, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary.”
The fair, which focuses on the county’s agricultural roots, kicked off Tuesday with an evening of events. Wednesday marks the first full day of fair fun, including livestock shows, concerts, a truck pull, a demolition derby and more.
“This fair means so much to me, and it is important that it continues,” Asbury shared. “It’s very important, not just to the citizens of Tazewell County but for folks all across southern West Virginia and Virginia. We try to offer a little something for everyone.”
While ticket sales are not reflective of a normal year, Asbury is confident that the weekend will draw in a large crowd.
“We are working to provide a good, safe fair for everyone. We are taking all the precautions. We have hand sanitizer available, hand washing stations and masks for those who want them. We are trying to have a safe fair but also give folks a fun time. They have been cooped up for so long, so we want them to come enjoy the rides and the food and just have a good time.”
The Tazewell Couty Fair will conclude on Saturday, August 28. Learn more about the event here.