Few changes to State Fair this year - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

The State Fair of Virginia is just around the corner. The festivities kick off in just three weeks!

It's been a roller coaster year with the foreclosure, bankruptcy and sale of the State Fair, but despite the ups and downs, everything is a go on September 28.

"The show will go on as it has in the past," said Greg Hicks, one of the organizers.

Hicks is one of several people from the Virginia Farm Bureau who are helping the fair stay on course with its new owner.

"It's been quite hectic," he said. "We've had about 60 days to pull this all together. Everybody has come together."

He says there's no need to worry if you're planning on going this year.

Many of the crowd favorites from years past will be back this year. The livestock and other agricultural displays will still be there. So will the gigantic pumpkin contest, the Brunswick stew competition and the equine events.

The big crowd pleasers all return to Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.

"It'll be seamless for the consumers and the fair-goers," Hicks said. "They won't notice a huge difference this year. It's going to be the same exciting fair they've seen in the past with some new twists to it, but overall it'll be the State Fair of Virginia."

New twists like the inaugural Stampede 5K race. Hicks says the main thing this year is making sure the gates of the State Fair open after a rocky year, but the focus is on the future. Next year is when Hicks hopes the event will start to really blossom.

"Everybody is excited that it's going to continue," he said. "We'll grow off of it. This year we'll have a good fair but in the future I think we can look for bigger and better things as we move forward."

We've posted ticket information on our website - just click on "All Access".

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