While you are treasuring the sights, smells and sounds of the 2005 State Fair of West Virginia, stop by the West Virginia University Mountaineer Country Tent to battle it out like the Hatfields and the McCoys and discover a world of tiny critters living in your own backyard.
The theme for the 2005 State Fair is”A Tradition You Treasure.”The festivities begin today (Aug. 12) through Aug. 21 in Fairlea in Greenbrier County .
Keeping with the tradition of years past, WVU complements the fair’s theme with its own:”WVU: A Tradition We Treasure.”Fairgoers visiting the WVU Mountaineer Country Tent can learn about the more than 20 colleges, academic departments and other units or programs at WVU .
At the National Research Center for Coal and Energy booth, kids can grab a toothpick and satisfy their sweet tooth by learning about coal mining while they mine for chocolate chip cookies.
Parents can join in the fun, too. NRCCE will invite families to battle it out Hatfield-and-McCoy style by answering questions in the Family Face-Off competition. The winning family receives a prize package that includes autographed WVU sports merchandise.
Stop by the U.S. Department of Agriculture booth, where three Agriculture Research Service labs will feature hands-on demonstrations. The”Living Stream”an aquarium exhibit that explores the variety of organisms in a West Virginia mountain streamand”Who Lives in Your Soil?”an investigation of the world of critters that live in your soilswill both be part of the lab activities. The exhibit also will have demonstrations about DNA in soil and a camera that takes pictures of roots in the ground.
Test your headline-writing skills at the WVU School of Journalism booth. Visitors can compete in the”Today’s Headline”contest to see who can write the best headline for the provided story. Winners will receive a WVU School of Journalism water bottle.
Want to show your pride for WVU ? Fairgoers can purchase all of their WVU apparel from the Zides Sport Shop booth.
In the fair’s Heritage Village , a covered wagon will carry your imagination back into the 19 th century. If you haven’t experienced the Historic Area at WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp in Lewis County , the Mill’s”History Hitting the Road”program will bring a taste of the Historic Area to you. At the covered wagon, docents will guide fairgoers through history via a variety of activities.
On different days of the week, fairgoers will discover spinning, weaving, woodworking, blacksmithing, paper marbling, basket making, corn shucking, corn grinding and candle making. Children will love the 19 th century toys and games.
In the Underwood Youth Building , you’ll find 4-H youth projects, displays and talent stage performances. WVU Extension agents, staff and volunteers will oversee the many youth activities in the building. Agents and volunteers also will manage all junior livestock events and exhibits at the fair.
Extension agricultural agents will serve as judges for produce and vegetable competitions and present information on risk management at the Gus R. Douglass Building.
Through these activities and more, come and learn why WVU is a wonderful tradition to treasure at the WVU Mountaineer Country Tent, Heritage Village and other sites at the State Fair of West Virginia.
The schedule of events in the tent varies each day. For a full schedule of times and dates, visit the WVU Extension Service Web site (http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/). Again this year, the Web site provides a peek at the fun and excitement inside the tent via the WVU Mountaineer Country Tent Webcam.