Fifth Randolph Fair a Success
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterArticle Photos
While cleaning up after the Randolph County Fair Sunday afternoon, fair officials used one word to describe the long weekend of events - "Great."
Daytime and weekend events drew around 750 to 1,000 visitors made the fifth county fair a success, explained Randolph County Fair President Amanda See.
Friday night's bull riding event drew between 1,500 and 2,000 spectators, See estimated. Bull riding was new to the fair this year, but See hopes the event becomes a tradition.
During the weekend, the County Fair accomplished its mission - to educate and promote the county, See explained. All fourth-grades classes in Randolph County attended Educational Day Friday at the fair. See said that with cooperation from the Randolph County Board of Education, students had the opportunity for hands-on learning of local heritage.
"The livestock sale went really well," said Ronnie Helmondollar, WVU Extension Agent for Randolph County. "Support from the community was really good. It's always impressive to see folks come out and support the 4-H youth."
Those who raise the livestock usually use the money from the sale to purchase what they will need for the next year's livestock project or save for a college fund, Helmondollar explained.
Other money raised at the county fair will be used to fund next year's event, See said. The Randolph County Recreation Board and county 4-H clubs also raised money during the fair by selling food and other items, See explained.
Throughout the weekend, the fair made use of the new building at 4-H Camp Pioneer agriculture complex, See said. Photo exhibits and a livestock buyers reception took place in the building.
Volunteers began planning the fair almost immediately after last year's ended, See said.
"We have a fantastic crew of volunteers," See said.
Businesses and others in the community also helped ensure a "great county fair," See explained.
"Each year it keeps getting better," Helmondollar said. "I can't wait until next year."
