Randolph County Fair’s Staten speaks to Rotary
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ELKINS – Kathie Staten, board president of the Randolph County Fair, addressed the Rotary Club of Elkins, giving an overview of this year's event. Staten was joined by 2025 Randolph County Fair Teen Queen Gwynnie Walters. "I am truly honored to represent the Randolph County Fair today and the incredible people who have built the tradition that we know and love," said Staten.
The Randolph County Fair began in 2024, growing out of the annual Ag Day that was held at Camp Pioneer in conjunction with the Ox Roast; Ag Day was centered around the 4-H and FFA livestock show and sale. After the 2003 livestock show and sale, Randy Elza, Portia Dean and Pam Kwasniewski shared a vision that the community deserved something bigger. They believed that the livestock program could expand into a celebration of everything that makes Randolph County Special.
The fair was incorporated in August 2004, followed closely by the inaugural Randolph County Fair a couple of weeks later. "Dedicated volunteers poured countless hours into making a successful fair," said Staten. "Randy Elza served as the first president, laying the foundation for future growth."
In 2005, the vision of an Ag complex was born, coming to fruition thanks to the leadership of the West Virginia House of Delegates member Bill Proudfoot. Proudfoot secured the funding for the complex that now serves as the hub for the meetings and activities of the fair.
2006 saw the crowning of the inaugural Miss Randolph County Fair Queen, Savannah Mathes. Today, the fair royalty program also includes a children's pageant which was started in 2016. Kourtney Jones, who served as the Teen Queen in 2019/2020 and as Fair Queen in 2022, competed in the 2026 WV Fairs and Festivals pageant (representing the West Virginia Strawberry Festival) and was named 2026 WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen. Jones promotes the Randolph County area during her statewide travels as the fairs and festivals queen.
One of the fair's most noteworthy events, the professional rodeo, had its beginnings in 2008 when board member Zack Teter presented the idea for the rodeo to the assembled board. "Many of the board members thought what he was asking was an impossible task, but Zach believed in the community and that the community would support it," said Staten. Teter worked tirelessly to secure sponsorships for the rodeo and the crowd was beyond what the board members had imagined. "That one event changed the Randolph County Fair. The rodeo gave us the confidence to dream bigger, plan bigger and become bigger," added Staten.
The fair has faced many challenges throughout its duration, not the least of which was the COVID19 pandemic. In 2020, the livestock auction was held online so that the students could sell their projects and, in 2021, it was possible to return to an in-person livestock sale. In 2022, the full fair returned to Camp Pioneer.
This year's fair will begin on Sunday, August 9 and run through Saturday, August 15. "The fair has grown into a seven-day celebration – from horse shows to pageants, to carnival rides, family fun night, senior day, livestock competition, rodeo, tractor and truck pull, fireworks and now this year an exciting new addition of a lumberjack show. The show will feature the U.S. lumberjack champ and many national competitors. Believe us when we say there truly is something for everyone," said Staten.
In addition to new lumberjack show, there will also be a kid's cart extravaganza added on Family Fun Night. Kids can bring their power wheel vehicles and compete in a derby, drag race and a pull. Family Fun Night will also include a touch-a-truck event, inflatable activities, a foam party, and an ice cream social in addition to the carnival rides.
The mission of the fair is to promote, educate and showcase Randolph County by highlighting our unique rural heritage, our youth, our agriculture and our community through a county wide celebration. Staten expressed sincerely thanks to all who make the Randolph County Fair possible - the volunteers, board members, 4-H and FFA families, exhibitors, entertainers, vendors, community organizations, attendees, and business and individual sponsors.
Walters has been a long-time participant in the fair. Prior to being named 2025 Randolph County Fair Teen Queen, she served as the fair's first Little Miss Randolph County Fair in 2016 and participated in the livestock show and sale. "I got to wear my sash this year when I sold [market hogs] and it meant a lot to me," said Walters. "With the livestock being such a big part of it, kids get to show off their hard work. Whether you have a little chicken or a little rabbit to a big feeder calf or steer, they put hard work into it. It gets more kids involved." Walters will be passing her crown to the new Teen Queen on the opening evening of this year's fair.
"As we celebrate our 22nd Randolph County Fair, we celebrate the people that had the courage to dream, the volunteers who turned the dream into reality and the community that continues to support us," concluded Staten.
More information about the Randolph County Fair, including a full schedule of events can be found on Facebook (Randolph County Fair) or at the organization's website, https://www.randolphcountyfair.com. Those wishing to sponsor the fair or an individual event at the fair can contact the Randolph County Fair at 304.621.0379 or by email at randolphcountyfair@yahoo.com.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page - Rotary Club of Elkins – or contact 2026-2027 club president Karen Wilmoth at wilmothk@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.