What the State Fair of West Virginia Is
The State Fair of West Virginia is a ten-day agricultural fair held each August on the fairgrounds in Lewisburg. Its roots go back to 1854, when the Greenbrier Agricultural Society held the first recorded fair in the Greenbrier Valley to show off local livestock, produce and household goods. The 101st annual fair ran August 13 to 22, 2026. The next fair is set for August 12 to 21, 2027.
What Is There
- Livestock competitions: beef, dairy, swine, sheep and goat shows, a junior show for West Virginia 4-H and FFA members, and a Greenbrier/Monroe Youth Livestock Auction.
- Other competitions: Home, Arts and Garden exhibits, equine shows and a car show.
- Entertainment: free acts around the grounds, concerts in the Grandstand (some need an extra ticket), a midway with rides, food and shopping.
The 2026 Livestock Schedule
| Day | Shows |
|---|---|
| Thu-Fri, Aug 13-14 | Junior Market Goat Show |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Junior Market Lamb Show, Junior Beef Heifer Show |
| Sun, Aug 16 | Open Prospect Steer and Heifer Show (10 a.m.), Junior Market Steer and Heifer, Market Hog shows |
| Mon, Aug 17 | Limousin (9 a.m.), Charolais (11 a.m.), Youth Livestock Auction (1 p.m.) |
| Tue, Aug 18 | Angus (9 a.m.), Shepherd's Lead (5 p.m.), Junior Purebred Sheep (6 p.m.) |
| Wed, Aug 19 | Simmental (9 a.m.), Dairy Costume Contest (5:30 p.m.) |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Shorthorn (9 a.m.) |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Hereford (9 a.m.), Sheep Shearing Contest (6 p.m.) |
Tickets and Admission
- Gate admission for ages 11 and up was $10 in advance and $15 on the day, with sales tax included. Children 10 and under are free every day.
- The Mega Pass covers 12 hours of unlimited rides, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., on any fair day, at $30 plus 6 percent sales tax in advance or $35 plus tax on the day. Gate admission is sold separately.
- Fair week specials in 2026 included $10 gate on Thursday and Monday and Wednesday, $7 gate after 4 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, Dollar Day on Tuesday, August 18 ($1.00 all day), WV Day on Thursday, August 20 ($5 gate), and $8 for military on Friday, August 14 and for seniors on Friday, August 21.
- Tickets are sold only through Etix.com or the box office at 304-645-1090 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Tickets from other sellers may not be valid.
Entering Livestock
The Livestock Exhibitor's Guide and Premium Book lists every class, rule and premium. In 2026, entries opened May 27 and closed July 8, with late entries accepted to July 15 for a $50 late fee per junior exhibitor. Junior shows are online-entry only and require a $15 fee and current 4-H or FFA membership; all exhibitors also pay a one-time $10 processing fee. Open beef is $20 per head and open sheep and swine are $6 per head. Junior exhibitors get a five-day complimentary ticket. Livestock parking costs $10 a day through Gate 5 on 219 North.
Scholarships and Awards
The fair awards five four-year scholarships of up to $1,000 a year to youth who took part in the junior livestock show, equine programs or the 4-H and FFA exhibit program in the previous five years; applications are due March 15. Since 1992 the State Fair and its partners have given more than $600,000 in scholarships. The Farming Heritage Award, with the West Virginia Farm Bureau, honors a farm family and includes an awards ceremony on Governor's Day, a luncheon, overnight accommodations, complimentary admission, preferred parking and a stone sign.
Where and Policies
947 Maplewood Ave, Lewisburg, WV 24901, 3 miles south of exit 169 off Interstate 64. The office phone is 304-645-1090. The fairgrounds are accessible, with paved walkways, wheelchair and electric stroller rentals and drop-off areas. It is a non-smoking facility, no weapons are allowed, alcohol is limited to the beer garden and select concerts, and only service animals are permitted on the grounds.
Official Links
- Livestock Exhibitor's Guide and Premium Book 2026: classes, rules, fees and premiums
- Livestock Competitions: entry status and judges list
- FAQs: location, policies and ticket information
- Tickets: gate, Mega Pass and fair week specials
- History: the 1854 first fair
- Scholarship and Awards: scholarships and the Farming Heritage Award
- Contact and Directions: phone and address
West Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
West Virginia county fairs run from June into September, with samples in 2026 from the Mineral County Fair on June 16-20 to the Tyler County Fair July 27 to August 1, per their listings. Dates change yearly.
State Fair
The State Fair of West Virginia ran August 13 to 22, 2026, in Lewisburg. Junior shows ran from market goats on August 13-14 to market hogs and steers on August 16, per the livestock exhibitors guide.
Who can show
State Fair juniors must be enrolled in a West Virginia 4-H club or FFA chapter by March 1 and be at least 9 on the show date. Entries are online only.
Ownership and tags
Market steers and heifers had a March 1 ownership deadline in 2026, and most other market animals June 10. All market animals need an official RFID tag and a visual tag.
Health
Out-of-state animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, per the state agriculture department. Sheep and goats need scrapie ID.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules. Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Premiums, entry fees and showmanship rules vary, so read the current premium book before you pay.
Read the full guide: West Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Greenbrier Valley GLCI Pasture Management Workshop
Pasture management workshop and field day at Master's Farm in Ronceverte with food and free raffles for attendees. Held each year; the most recent workshop ran June 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
635 Horshoe Bend Rd, Ronceverte, WV 24970 | Organizer: Greenbrier Valley GLCI Official event details - State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Goat Show
Youth market goat show (Division 575) in the Small Stock Arena; held each year, and the most recent show ran Thursday and Friday, August 13-14, 2026.
- State Fair of West Virginia Open Prospect Steer and Heifer Show
Open class prospect steer and heifer show opening the beef cattle week at the State Fair of West Virginia; most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026, in the Large Livestock Arena.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Steer and Heifer Show
Market steers, market heifers and performance steers (Divisions 560-562) are judged in the Large Stock Arena; most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Hog Show
Youth market hog show (Division 563) in the Small Stock Arena on the same Sunday as the market steer class; the most recent date was August 16, 2026.
All West Virginia events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.