You probably think you know the State Fair of West Virginia. The smell of sawdust, the sound of screams coming from the Himalayan, and the inevitable debate over who has the best pepperoni roll. But honestly, the West Virginia State Fair 2025 isn't just another year of deep-fried everything.
It’s the big one. The 100th anniversary.
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August 7 through August 16, 2025, marks a literal century of this event being the heartbeat of Fairlea. If you’ve ever sat on those green benches in Lewisburg, you know it’s less of a "fair" and more of a family reunion for the entire state.
What’s Actually New for the 100th Anniversary?
Most people show up for the nostalgia, but the 2025 organizers are leaning hard into the "once in a lifetime" vibe. They even commissioned a special 100th-anniversary poster by artist Robert Tuckwiller. It’s kinda become a collector's item before the gates even opened.
The food scene is where things usually get weird, and 2025 is no exception. While everyone is talking about the "Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake" ($14 and very green, thanks to the pistachios), the real sleeper hit is the Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream over at Trudy’s. It basically tastes like Snickerdoodles and childhood.
If you're feeling brave, the WV Pickle Guy is doing a Cotton Candy Pickle. Yeah. It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a bit of a polarizing choice, but isn't that why we go to the fair? To eat things that shouldn't exist?
The Wild Trails Festival Pivot
One major shift for 2025 was the introduction of the Wild Trails Festival back in June. It was basically a massive pre-party for the fair. They brought in Oliver Anthony and Flatland Cavalry to get people hyped for the August main event. This signaled a change in how the fairgrounds are being used—not just for ten days in August, but as a year-round destination for the Greenbrier Valley.
West Virginia State Fair 2025: The Concert Lineup and Grandstand
The Grandstand is the soul of the fair. For 2025, they’ve managed to snag two-time Grammy winner Lauren Daigle for Thursday, August 14.
The ticket situation is always a point of confusion for folks. Let's clear it up: if you buy a concert ticket, your gate admission is already included. Don't go buying a separate $15 gate pass if you’re already heading to see Lauren. You’ll just be wasting money that could have been spent on a $10 Pretzelroni Roll from The Twist.
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Surviving the Midway (and Saving Cash)
Look, the fair is expensive. We all know it. But there are ways to play the system if you’re smart about it.
- Dollar Day: Mark Tuesday, August 12 on your calendar. It’s the day when you can actually afford to bring a large family without taking out a second mortgage.
- The School Supply Trade: Monday, August 11 is "Magic Monday." If you bring three school supplies, you can get admission and unlimited rides for $25. It’s a win-win—you save money, and local kids get supplies.
- The Midway Heat Factor: Fact: the carnival midway is always about 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the rest of the fairgrounds. If you’re starting to feel like a wilted lettuce leaf, head to the Farm to Food Pavilion. It’s shaded, educational for the kids, and significantly cooler.
The Livestock Tradition
You can't talk about the fair without the cows. The Farm Credit Dairy Birthing Center remains the most popular non-ride attraction. They bring in about 20 pregnant cows, and your odds of seeing a live birth are actually pretty high if you hang around long enough. It’s a reminder that beneath the neon lights and the "Repeat Offender" burgers (from Gus Bus Burgers, by the way—get the cheese curds with caramel), this is an agricultural show.
The 2025 livestock schedule is packed. From the Draft Horse Pull on Friday, August 15, to the Youth Livestock Auction on Saturday, it’s where the "real" West Virginia shows up. These kids spend all year raising these animals, and the auction is their big payday.
Practical Logistics for Your Visit
Parking is free in the general lots, but if you value your sanity and don't want to walk half a mile, the $100 reserved Gold Lot pass is a thing, though it usually sells out to the locals months in advance.
If you’re coming from out of town, Lewisburg is going to be packed. The RV camping on-site is waitlist-only at this point. Your best bet is looking at surrounding areas like Ronceverte or even White Sulphur Springs, though prices there tend to spike because of the Greenbrier Resort.
Actionable Tips for 2025:
- Download the App: The official State Fair of WV app is the only way to keep track of the "rolling schedules" for the livestock shows.
- Buy Advance Tickets: Online sales usually end at midnight on July 28. Buying before then saves you $5 per person. It adds up.
- The "Butt Fries" Rule: If you see a line for the FFA ham sandwiches or the "Butt Fries," just get in it. There's a reason they've been around since the 50s.
- Check the Weather: It’s West Virginia in August. It will either be 95 degrees or a monsoon. Bring a poncho and extra socks. Trust me on the socks.
The 100th West Virginia State Fair 2025 is more than just a place to get a stomach ache from too many donuts. It’s a milestone for the state. Whether you're there for the 4-H exhibits or just to see if that Cotton Candy Pickle is actually edible, it's the one week a year where the whole state feels like it's in one place.