In 1854 the Greenbrier Agricultural Society began organizing an annual fair where agricultural accomplishments could be displayed.

In 1858 a Blue Ribbon entry was an iron-grey yearling colt, later to become famous as Robert E. Lee’s war horse, Traveller.  Also on display was the first sewing machine in the county, which had been invented at Mill Point in neighboring Pocahontas County.

Another famous animal was entered in the fair in 1869.  The Ludington Steer, a Shorthorn owned by Mr. Samuel C. Ludington, took home top honors.  Noted as the largest steer in the world it weighed in at 4,450 pounds.

From 1883 to 1889 the county fair was held in Alderson near the Greenbrier River.

Then, in 1891 the fair returned to Lewisburg and by 1938 the Greenbrier Valley fairgrounds featured stables, barns, exhibit halls, a grandstand, a racetrack, carnival, and an industrial midway.

Harness Racing

1900

Opening Day

1957

Winning

Horse Team

“Skip day for our class in March 1941 was a trip to Charleston and included the Capitol and Senate session.  While there it was voted to make the Greenbrier Valley Fair the official STATE FAIR of West Virginia.  Some of the students had no idea what was going on but it caught my heart and thrilled me very much.”

Opal Maynes Anderson

Rainelle, West Virginia

The West Virginia State Fair

Is held annually during

The month of August.

Gus Douglass

Presents the Winners Trophy