The Declaration of Independence was only 78 years old when the first recorded fair was conducted in Greenbrier Valley, VA. In 1854 the Greenbrier Agricultural Society began organizing and having an annual fair where agricultural accomplishments could be displayed. This popular event attracted entries of livestock, produce, and household items from farms throughout the area.

The first fair was conducted at Mr. Nesmith’s Gove on approximately 2 acres of land. The location of this event was determined by current historians to be at the corner of Washington and Lee Streets in Lewisburg about 150’ northeast of the present location of Lewisburg United Methodist Church. A transcript of the minutes from the first event include…(Transcript of Greenbrier Agricultural Society Minutes) The first recorded fair was conducted in Greenbrier Valley, Virginia beginning August 29, 1854 at Mr. Nesmith’s Grove. The Greenbrier Agricultural Society was called to order by President of the Society, Louis A. Alderson, at 11 o’clock A.M. – which being done, the President of the Society introduced to the assembled crowd, William H. McFarland Esq. of Richmond City, who had been invited and accepted the invitation to deliver an address to the Society at the First annual exhibition, after which the Company partook of the sumptuous repast prepared by the Ladies of Lewisburg and vicinity – the judges of the various Classes of Stock and articles entered to contend for premiums and entered upon the duties for which they were selected – at half past 5 o’clock P.M. it was moved that the exhibition be closed until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning which was carried – At 10 o’clock A.M. August 30th the Society was again called to order by President Alderson – at 11 o’clock A.M. Dr. E. P. White of Caroline County delivered a very interesting address and was elected an Honorary member of the Society.

At 2 o’clock P.M. the judges rendered awards for the various Classes of Animals, cattle: cows, bulls, heifers, steers and oxen; horses: stallions, brood mares, saddle mares, colts, jacks, jennets and mules; sheep; & chickens. Also included in the judged entries were agricultural implements: plows, ox yoke & wheat fans; fruits & dairy products; household manufactures: quilts, woolen items, embroidery, bread, corned beef, & bacon ham; and finally, domestic manufactures: bureaus, bed stands, saddles, harnesses, flour, cooking stoves, oil painting and penmanship.

In 1858 the Lewisburg event gained the distinction of being called “a fair of proportions” and featured many entries including an iron-gray yearling colt that took home the blue ribbon. (The colt would later gain fame as Robert E. Lee’s warhorse, Traveler.) Also on display at this show was the first sewing machine ever brought to the county.

The formation of West Virginia during the Civil War placed Greenbrier County in the new state and it was in 1869 that a fair was conducted for the first time in Lewisburg, WV. Once again a famous animal was entered in the fair as the Ludington Steer took home top honors. This Shorthorn steer, owned by Mr. Samuel C. Ludington, was the largest steer in the world, weighing 4,450 pounds and was noted for being “so broad across the back that a half-bushel of shelled corn could be poured on its back and not a grain would roll off.”

The next county fair was named the Greenbrier Valley Industrial Exposition when it was conducted in Alderson from 1883 to 1889. This fair was the first noted exhibition where demonstrations and displays of technology were shown along with the agricultural displays. Recent advances in farming equipment and house wares were popular attractions for fairgoers of all ages.

Ample provisions have been made for the safety and sheltering of stock. Capacious cisterns will furnish an abundant supply of water, and all that tends to the comfort of man and beast will be supplied…The grounds, situated one-fourth mile south of Lewisburg and three and one-half miles north of Ronceverte, Ches. & Ohio Railroad, afford facilities to persons living at a distance to visit the Exposition, and are easily accessible to all.

Entertainment during The Industrial Expositions consisted of flat racing, harness racing and novelty contests for visitors such as wheelbarrow races, potato races, and greased-pole climbing. Entries consisted of Agricultural Implements (Department XI) in which farming machinery including a turnip drill, root slicer, fanning mill, hillside plough, road scraper, and a gangplow were displayed.

Throughout the early fairs, individuals and businesses offered special prizes for specific contests or classes. Money was offered as premiums for displays such as: the best saddle Colt, halter broke, under one year old ($2.50) by Jas. T. Rucker; $2.50 by Silas B. Mason for the best Loaf of Bread; $5 for the best drilled Soldier in the West Va. National Guards, by J.W. A. Ford; and $2.50 was offered by John D. Johnston for the best Bed-Spread knit by a girl 14 years or under.

Early successes and failures of fairs in Greenbrier County set the stage for the formation of an annual event that would be more popular and successful than any of its predecessors. Although there are no records to show the existence of an annual event during the early years of the 1900s, small community fairs, which consisted of neighbors meeting to display their goods, continued throughout the period.

One of the highlights of attending the fair was the family picnic. The first notation of picnics on the fairgrounds was in the 1896 Exhibitors’ Guide that had everything closing from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. for dinner. This tradition, which had existed from the earliest fairs, was a stopping point for everyone to relax and regroup before continuing their exciting day. Preparing for the picnic was usually done the day before attending the fair and the meal almost always consisted of the same basic foods including fried chicken, potato salad, fresh tomatoes, and other fresh garden vegetables.

From 1917 through 1920 a successful Shorthorn Association Show began the movement to have an annual fair in the county. A group of local men incorporated the Greenbrier Valley Fair on March 19, 1921, and an annual tradition was born. Land was purchased about a mile east of the Watts Farm where the Shorthorn Show had been held in 1917 and 1919. (In 1918 the show was at the Ross Tuckwiller Farm west of Lewisburg.) The new location placed the fair between the outskirts of the growing town of Lewisburg and the railroad boomtown of Ronceverte.

On March 19, 1921, the founders of the Greenbrier Valley Fair chartered their annual event with the signing of a document and began a tradition that would become the State’s largest fair. The first two Fair catalogues listed the place of the exhibition as Ronceverte, as designated in the charter of the event, and in 1923 the location of the grounds was listed as Lewisburg-Ronceverte. As the community between Lewisburg and Ronceverte grew, a post office was established and the area became known as Fairlea, which is the physical location of today’s fairgrounds.

During the first stockholders meeting it was approved that the Board of Directors be “authorized, empowered and directed” to carry out the contract with A.M. Caldwell for the purchase of property (approximately 40 acres of land) lying on the road leading from Lewisburg to Ronceverte, adjoining Howard Smith and the Ott heirs, and known as the Driscol Land, at the price of $11,500 to use for the fairgrounds.

During the early years, the Fair consisted of five event-filled days and the fairgrounds immediately began to take shape as buildings and other contest areas were created. In April, 1921, an old railroad track was taken up and a racetrack graded by teams of horses furnished by Wilson Bros., Tuckwiller Bros., John Sydenstricker, Julian Arbuckle, Bright Farrier, Ed Sydenstricker, Howard Arbuckle, and Alex Arbuckle. Together they built the one-half mile track that is still used today.

Within a few years of the charter signing there were stables, cattle barns, and exhibit building, a grandstand, and a sage on the fairgrounds. Cattle and horses dominated the animal shows with the largest number of cattle representing the Shorthorn breed. Sheep, swine, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and other farm animals filled the barns and show rings.

In addition to the open shows, there were boys and girls representing Agricultural Clubs (4-H) from throughout the state competing in Junior Livestock Judging Contests and showing their livestock. For many fairgoers and exhibitors, coming to the fair involved traveling for several miles in slow moving vehicles or on horseback, over rough roads, and sometimes not in the best weather conditions. Exhibitors carefully prepared their items for showing. Home sewn items were folded and protected during the trip by older items or newspaper. Canned goods usually arrived packed securely in crates. Farm equipment which was to be displayed arrived on wagons, was pulled to the fairgrounds, or was driven and then carefully cleaned and polished for the show. Many exhibitors entered several categories and some had entries in different departments. The prizes were ribbons, money, certificates, or other special rewards that denoted the exhibit’s winnings at the Fair.

Contracting national entertainers to perform began when the gates opened to the fair in 1921. Showcased during that first exhibition was Harry Wheadon in his Sensational Novelty Slack Wire Act; the Roza Rentz Trio featuring one lady and two gentlemen in mid-air attractions; Robin, King of the Comedy Jugglers; and a nightly finale by Pain’s Fireworks which proclaimed “nothing like it has ever been seen in West Virginia.” Fair officials took great pride in offering the finest entertainment each year.

It was considered a goal to always provide amusements that were wholesome, educational, and good, clean fun. No unlawful concessions or suggestive shows were allowed. Many types of entertainment were represented at the Fair and leading performers or well-known groups appeared in concerts or shows throughout the duration of the event.

From the minute the gates opened on the first day until the last visitor left the grounds each night, the
Greenbrier Valley Fair offered fun, excitement, entertainment, education, exhibits, and so much more to the thousands who came to see the sights. Each year the fair changed, adapted, and reflected the society around it.

For two decades the fair provided visitors the opportunity to escape from their normal lives and discover something new. The annual fair in Greenbrier County was looked forward to with great anticipation and one of the best topics of discussion throughout the year consisted of planning a trip to “th” FAIR!”