State Fair of Virginia Celebrates 165 Years

The State Fair of Virginia has been around for 165 years, according to Richmond Magazine,. Every year, the State Fair attracts thousands of people, including some from out of state. These people come to the State Fair to see animals, eat fair food, purchase from vendors, and ride a few rides. This year the State Fair was open from Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 6. 

This year the State Fair main attractions, which can be found on the State Fair of Virginia’s Website, included Xtreme Chinese Acrobats, a group of street drummers, livestock competitions, tractor pulls for smaller tractors, the Ultimate Stunt Circus, the demolition derby, the Richmond Portal, Rosaire’s Racing Pigs, the Blacksmith World Championships, and Mutton Bustin’, which is a sport where little kids ride on the back of a sheep to resemble bull riding. 

Getting to the State Fair was a little tricky this year. All of the free parking lots were packed full of cars and buses. Premium parking was offered for $15 a car, and that gave people the opportunity to get closer parking. Handicap parking was also available. 

Once people got to the front gate, they were greeted by security officials that were checking bags and strollers. After passing through security, there were two directions to go. The first direction was to the left just past security. This was the line for people who had purchased their tickets online or for those who had state fair season passes. The second option was for those who had not yet purchased tickets. The ticket booths looked like little sheds that were evenly spaced which allowed for smooth traffic flow between them. 

 Just beyond the front gate, food vendors sold anything from kettle corn to chicken tenders.  Past the food vendors was the RAM Ride and Drive off-road course. This attraction was free and allowed people to ride in a RAM 1500 trucks through an off-road course to show all of the off-road capabilities.  Each truck was driven by a professional driver. One driver said, “I do not actually work for Dodge. I just simply come and drive people around.” 

Once people walk through the first part of the fair they are met by a tunnel. Sounds of joyous laughter and entertained talking echoed off of the curved walls of the tunnel. Once on the other side, people could choose two directions to go. To the right, up a hill, was a children’s area, livestock tents, the Meadow Pavilion, more food vendors, Rosaire’s Racing Pigs, and the Richmond Portal. In the livestock tent, there were chickens, ducklings, rabbits, and guinea pigs for sale. The ducklings were four for $6. In side of the Meadow Pavillion, one could find information booths about all things agriculture. 

After coming down the hill people were greeted by the recognizable scent of fried food. Located just a few feet from the bottom of the staircase were all of the food, vendors, and rides. People could walk around with a corndog and purchase jewelry all within five feet of each other.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle was the Expo Center. In the Expo Center, people could find everything from Virginia Lottery tickets to a candy maze. People of all ages especially flocked to the candy maze. Little children could not help but put their hands into every candy bucket their was.  Other exhibits in the Expo Center included an art showcase from Virginia schools. 

Fair-goer Rachel Blocksom said her favorite part of the State Fair was “The racing pigs, of course.”