West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition kicks off
Jocele L. Bryant
Officials Monday toured the construction of a visitors center and multi-use facility at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Davis, W.Va. From left, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Margaret Everson, Secretary David Bernhardt of the Department of the Interior, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Sen. Joe Manchin and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Manager Ron Hollis. (Photo by Eliana McCutcheon)
Thrill seekers gathered for the opening day of the 2019 West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition on Tuesday in Mineral Wells. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
Giovanni Minervini, 4, of Parkersburg, uses chocolate ice cream and shade to beat the heat in Mineral Wells on Tuesday. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
Laekyn McLaughlin introduces her lamb Sassy to her first ear cleaning on Tuesday at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
The West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition drew hundreds of visitors on Tuesday. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
Virginia “Marie” Lyons
Marble King Inc. President and CEO Beri J. Fox displays items in the East Room of the White House Monday at the Made in America Product Showcase. (Courtesy photo by Caleb Spencer)
Preston Ridenour does his exercises while sitting on a horse. Ride with Pride is an equine-assisted activities and therapy program for youth who receive physical and occupational therapies in educational settings. (Photo Provided)
Philip Farra performs multi-step directions while riding. Mary Lee Kelly watches. (Photo Provided)
Ethan Marshall participates in July Fourth activities during riding at Dutch Pines Equine. (Photo Provided)
Riley Pierce works on horse commands. Mary Lee Kelly watches. (Photo Provided)
Decker Sleek works on his balance with arms raised. (Photo Provided)
Van Devender Middle School eighth-grader Justus White speaks Tuesday evening to the Wood County Board of Education, asking officials to reconsider a possible plan to close and consolidate several Wood County schools, including Vandy. (Photo by Michael Erb)
From left, City Attorney Blaine Myers gives advice about the upcoming discussions on the adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code, while Mayor Jean Ford and council members Jim Parker and Barbara Lewis listen. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
The West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition drew hundreds of visitors on Tuesday. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
MINERAL WELLS — The warm temperatures didn’t hamper the kickoff to the 2019 West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition on Tuesday.
Even though temperatures peaked just under 90 degrees, hundreds of people gathered together for fun in Mineral Wells.
A big part of the exposition is the junior livestock competition held in the livestock area of the fairgrounds. Laekyn McLaughlin, 13, of Walker, was there to show her lamb, Sassy. Before the competition, McLaughlin was giving Sassy one last scrub down to help catch the judge’s eyes.
“She never had her ears cleaned before, but today is her lucky day,” she said.
McLaughlin said she had to feed and water Sassy, and even took her on two walks a day. Her grandfather, Tim McLaughlin, said Laekyn really took the responsibility of raising Sassy seriously.
Thrill seekers gathered for the opening day of the 2019 West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition on Tuesday in Mineral Wells. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
“I helped her some,” he said. “But she did most of it.”
Walking into the fairgrounds, one of the first thing that draws most people’s attention is the midway’s flashing lights and screams of terror and joy. Attendees stood in lines waiting to be thrilled by the rides offered at the fair. Susan Thompson, 34, of Parkersburg, was riding with her daughters Emily, 7, and Katie, 4, on the merry-go-round.
“They love coming to fairs and having fun. The breeze on the rides feels really good, too,” she said.
Fairgoers had plenty of chances to beat the heat on Tuesday with sno-cones, ice cream, and other frozen drinks that enabled people to feel a few degrees cooler. Tim Jones, 57, of Parkersburg, was there for one reason, the fair food. With over a dozen food vendors at the fair, Jones was sure to find what he liked best.
“I love funnel cakes and deep fried Snickers,” he said. “I guess you could say I got a sweet tooth.”
Giovanni Minervini, 4, of Parkersburg, uses chocolate ice cream and shade to beat the heat in Mineral Wells on Tuesday. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
As the day stretched into evening, visitors were entertained by ATV drag races, a demolition derby and closed with the songs of Ryan Cain and the Ables.
Today’s schedule of events:
Kids Day
∫ 10 a.m.: Youth Poultry Show & Showmanship (Livestock Area)
∫ 4 p.m.: Ticket Gates Open; Pretty Baby Registration (13-36 months) (Open Shelter); Kids Day activities begin (Age 12 and Under) Inflatables, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Games, Magic Show
Laekyn McLaughlin introduces her lamb Sassy to her first ear cleaning on Tuesday at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition. (Photo by Chad Adkins)
∫ 6 p.m.: Carnival Opens; Jr. Swine Showmanship (Livestock Area); Jr. Swine Show (Livestock Area) immediately following
∫ 7 p.m.: ATV/UTV Mud Bog and ATV/UTV Rodeo (Track Area); Premium Karaoke (Main Stage)
∫ 11 p.m.: Fairgrounds Close.
The West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition lasts through Saturday in Mineral Wells. For a complete schedule of activities and events, visit the web page at wvinterstatefair.org.
Chad Adkins can be reached at cadkins@newsandsentinel.com.