DOSWELL – “Where Home Grown Happens” is a fitting theme for the State Fair of Virginia, the event that celebrates the best of what’s grown, made and raised in the Old Dominion.
Those visiting the State Fair Sept. 27 through Oct. 6 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline Countywill be treated to a variety of homegrown food, entertainment and shopping, as well as plenty of Virginia agriculture.
“We’re excited to bring the theme ‘Where Homegrown Happens’ to life!” said Marlene Jolliffe, the fair’s executive director. “Our goal is to maintain long-held traditions, but also add new programming each year.”
This year’s new attractions include lively lawnmower racing in the Thrill Pit on opening Saturday, Sept. 28; chainsaw carver Chad Gainey crafting one-of-a-kind sculptures; the Strolling Piano playing roving tunes; and Doc Belmont's Magnificent Magical Medicine Show.
Returning fair favorites include the famed speedy swine of Rosaire’s Royal Racers; the Triple Crown Circus’ awe-inspiring performances, including the human cannonball; and the Ultimate Stunt Show performing edge-of-your-seat BMX feats inside the “Globe of Death.”
Revenge Roughstock Company will return with two nights of adrenaline-pumping professional barrel racing and bronc and bull riding Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Music enthusiasts can watch a variety of concerts on the fair’s Main Stage. Performers include the Taylor Swift tribute band Let’s Sing Taylor on Sept. 27; rising country musician Cooper Alan on Sept. 28; and Brencore Allstars Band with Motown hits on Sept. 29. Country-Americana vocalist Will Overman will perform Sept. 30, followed by the Caribbean Bomba and Plana Orchestra with Latin music on Oct. 1; rock band Hinder on Oct. 2; and “King of the Twist” Chubby Checker on Oct. 3.
Rounding out the fair’s concert series are Lee Roy Parnell & Great Southern on Oct. 4; bluegrass musician Dan Tyminski with the Virginia Opry on Oct. 5; and award-winning country band Lonestar on Oct. 6.
Full details for the Main Stage Concert series can be found at StateFairVa.org. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and are included in the cost of fair admission. This year’s concert series will be held under a tent providing 9,500 square feet of covered space, and fairgoers may bring their own lawn chairs.
In addition to the reconfigured main stage, the fair has made other improvements and updates to enhance guests’ experiences.
“We’re particularly excited to debut a brand new, 4,700-square-foot restroom facility at the main gate!” Jolliffe said. “We work hard to make our guests’ visit comfortable.”
While the fair offers plenty of free entertainment, it wouldn’t be complete without Virginia’s talented bakers, creators and makers engaging in friendly rivalry for blue ribbons. Their baked goods and handcrafted items of all kinds will be on display throughout the fair.
Always showcasing agriculture, “Virginia’s Largest Outdoor Classroom” continues to offer myriad agricultural activities, including milking demonstrations, the Young MacDonald’s Farm tent, Rockin’ A Ranch Petting Zoo, the Greenlee Draft Horse Hitch and livestock exhibits.
New this year are Alpaca Days on Sept. 28 and 29. Fairgoers can learn about different breeds of alpacas, watch spinning demonstrations, feel soft alpaca fleece and shop for alpaca products.
Don’t forget the unbelievably large fruits and vegetables. Visitors can see whether the gargantuan produce will break State Fair records during the Giant Veggie Weigh-Off at noon on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Mark your calendars, and make it a fair to remember! Online ticket sales begin Sept. 1. For ticket and entertainment information, visit StateFairVa.org. Additional live updates are available when you follow the fair on Facebook at Facebook.com/StateFairVa and Instagram @statefairva.
Visitors who purchase a ticket and wish to leave and reenter the fair on the same day must get a hand stamp from a gate attendant before exiting. No reentry is permitted after 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and after 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The State Fair is held each fall at its permanent home at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County and attracts 200,000 fairgoers. The event celebrates the best of Virginia’s past, present and future through scholarship initiatives, creative programming and a focus on the commonwealth’s agriculture and natural resources industries.
In 2023, the fair was among 182 diverse events that drew more than 530,000 visitors to The Meadow. The venue had an overall regional economic impact of $41.5 million.
