MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Although still months away, the Monongalia County Fair is firmly on the minds of County Commissioners.
This year’s fair will be starting on the last day of July. Similar to past fairs, it will look to improve on what is already an impressive showing.
“We’ve grown now to this year where we’re going to have over one hundred and fifty animals in the livestock barn,” said County Commissioner Ed Hawkins on Thursday’s edition of WAJR’s Morgantown AM. “Nine years ago, we had about twelve animals and we rented eight from WVU.”
This is the fair’s ninth straight year after a five-year hiatus, and Hawkins said it’s evident how far they’ve advanced.
“Well now we have lots of pigs, lots of lambs, we’ve added chickens, we’ve added turkeys, and now, this year, for the first time ever, there’s going to be ducks,” said Hawkins. “So we’ll have ducks, so get your ducks in a row folks and come to the fair.”
Hawkins, the former President of the Monongalia County Fair, will be participating as a contestant in the various competitions, including ones in the canned goods category. Along with the produce competitions, there will be judging on livestock from various farmers from around the county.
Before the fair takes place, there will be the annual Monongalia County Fair parade, which will take place the day before the fairgrounds officially open. The grand marshal of the parade will be Deborah Hoffman Reinhart, the longest serving active female firefighter in Monongalia County.
“We want to recognize the community first responders, and recognize the selfless things that they do for us everyday,” Hawkins said.
The Monongalia County Fair, as it continues to improve, has come a long way since being discontinued almost 15 years ago, Hawkins said. The tradition came back to life after what Hawkins said involved a lot of teamwork and community support. The near year long process, according to Hawkins shows through community enjoyment.
“This is the thing that makes it wonderful is that when you people, you people out there, come to support this fair, it’s a reward for those that work it,” he said.
The parade will take place on Monday, July 30, and the fairgrounds will open on July 31.