Jul. 25, 2008
West Virginia State Fair
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The 2008 West Virginia State Fair is just around the corner. This is a nine-day event held every year near the city of Lewisburg, WV. There are basically three sections to the Fair: The competitions, the races, and the carnival. Competitions are held in virtually every category, from livestock of all types to biggest ear of corn, from needle crafts to cakes and pies. You can view entries from all over the state in each category. Beautiful quilts, elegant hand-knitted shawls, intricate cross stitch samplers can be found in the home crafts building. All manner of vegetables, fruits, and grains are located in the garden building, which is air conditioned! Last year, my family especially enjoyed the animal exhibitions. We saw sheep, cows, goats, pigs, rabbits and horses of every type. Some of those rabbits looked like they'd stuck their little claws in an electrical socket! (This year I'll remember to take my camera.) We saw a team of eight draft horses hitched to a very tall carriage. It was a beautiful sight with the strong, regal horses pawing the ground and shaking their massive heads, manes flying and bells and harnesses jingling. We could almost feel their power coming through the ground. We also had the opportunity to watch a miniature pony race in which women dressed in fancy dresses and hats reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby drove tiny carts hitched behind their ponies. The contrast between the elegantly dressed ladies and the tiny carts with tiny ponies was quite comical! Each year, visitors to the WV State Fair have a chance to see a cow give birth at the Mooternity. We waited for a while last year but weren't there at the right time....maybe this year! Exhibitors not only show off their animals, produce, and handcrafted items, they also demonstrate their crafts. I enjoyed watching a woman spin wool into yarn on a spinning wheel and on a drop spindle. She was so kind to show both and explain how they work. I was carried back in time! Can't wait to go again in just a few short weeks...! |
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