It’s time! Yes, the West Virginia State Fair is up and running over near Lewisburg, in Fairlea.
I happen to love the state fair. But I haven’t gone in years. Each year, I’m disappointed I can’t or don’t go, but then, there are “issues.”
Although I go almost anywhere alone, cruising through the West Virginia State Fair alone is not nearly so much fun as it is with a pal. And, I just don’t have a pal I could convince to go.
Here are the obstacles: It’s an hour’s drive away, except during the fair; then, it could take 90 minutes or more just to get there. And, there’s the parking issue. Good heavens, but there’s a virtual sea of parking. There so much, I really fear I will never find my car if I do make it back to the lot. Then, there’s the walk to get to the fair itself. What a trudge that can be! You’re almost tired out before you get to the entrance gate.
Here’s something that bugs me: Why must we pay admission to get into a place where we will do nothing but spend money, and lots of it? That’s irksome.
But, oh, once inside the gates, there are wonders to be had and seen. Here are my favorites (and most of them involve food!): The West Virginia Cattlemen have a booth with steak sandwiches. They are beyond yummy! Back when I was going – alone or accompanied – I would start with one of those steak sandwiches, and that booth would also be my last stop before heading home. I’d either glom it down there, or take it home and eat it cold. Still yummy!
Then there are those weird curly fries, perfectly crisp, made from what seems an entire potato, sliced in a continuous curly pattern. Geez, but they’re good. And a perfect accompaniment to the steak sandwich. Top it off with a strawberry lemonade, and lunch and dinner are served!
The only problem is, where to eat it? I am not one to eat standing up, or walking around. Folks crowd into the only picnic table pavilion, and they seem to camp there for the duration.
After eating, I’d always head to my very favorite place: The draft horse barn. There may be no animal (other than a dog, of course) that I love so much as a giant, towering draft horse. These fellas are massive! And, they’re better groomed than I! If I’m lucky, I can nuzzle some muzzles and stroke some sleek flanks.
I will, of course, cruise through the bunny barn. I have never seen so many lovely and diverse bunnies anywhere but the fair. They are adorable! I don’t want to think what may happen after the fair, though. I feel the same about the goats, which I also love.
After the barn tours, there’s also always time for a hot, fresh-made donut. And of course, some more strawberry lemonade.
While I never ride anything, I do stroll down through there to see what I am, very gratefully, missing.
The people-watching prospect alone is an attraction, if you can call it that. Not too many people are that “attractive,” but then, that’s probably the same thing they think about me! Fairgoers are a varied bunch – the best I can say.
I happened to have to be in Lewisburg Thursday, the day the fair opened. Fair week is never a time I plan to go anywhere near West Virginia, but it turned out that way. The traffic patterns were all changed around, but here’s the thing: Downtown Lewisburg was close to deserted! It was a thrill to have my choice of parking spots.
Ah, even if you don’t actually go, you gotta love the West Virginia State Fair!
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.