FORT ASHBY, W.Va. — The 76th annual Mineral County Fair kicks off Tuesday featuring rides, music and exhibits along with some cowboys and mud thrown in.
Fair officials said this year’s event will see a new 4-H food stand in addition to concessions offered by fair sponsor the Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Company.
“We’re ready for a great family-friendly event this year and hoping for sunny weather,” fair chairman Bill Bradfield said.
Track entertainment begins Tuesday with the Diamond J. Rodeo featuring bull riding and barrel racing beginning at 7 p.m. West Virginia native and fair veteran Josh Oldaker will take the stage for shows at 7 and 8:30 p.m.
Cole Amusement Company is again providing more than 20 rides and attractions for all ages.
In addition to the rodeo, grandstand attractions include a demolition derby and two nights of the Mud Bog.
Fair entertainment on Wednesday includes the Cumberland-based Brother-Lees band on stage at 7 and 8:30 p.m.
Thursday will see the Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. along with local favorites Tennessee Mojo performing at 7 and 8:30 p.m.
The stock, modified and side-by-side classes of the Mug Bog are set for Friday at 7 p.m. along with two shows by Rock Hazel at 7 and 8:30 p.m.
Ridgeley resident James Jones will round out fair week on Saturday with shows at 7 and 8:30 p.m. along with the super stock, super modified and old school classes of the Mud Bog at the grandstand.
Gates and rides open Tuesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. and run through 10:30 p.m.
A pay-one-price fee of $21 includes gate admission, parking, all rides and stage and track entertainment. Fairgoers 62 and older are admitted each night for $10.
Weekly passes, which offer a substantial savings off of the nightly gate fee, can be purchased for $70 through June 16 at 5 p.m. at the Mineral County Extension Office, Keyser; M&T Bank, Fort Ashby; First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, Short Gap, Keyser and Cresaptown branches; Medicine Shoppe, Fort Ashby; Hometown Solutions, Fort Ashby; and the Mineral County Fair Office.
Children under 36 inches in height will be admitted free as this is the Cole Amusements height requirement for all rides with the exception of the Merry-Go-Round, where children under 3 feet tall can ride free with a paid adult.
This year’s fair grand drawing takes place Saturday at 10 p.m. Tickets are available from any member of the Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Company and at the grand drawing booth.
The 4-H and FFA livestock auction is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday.
To register for the Mud Bog or Demolition Derby, visit www.mineralcountyfair.com or the Mineral County Fair Facebook page.
Members of the fair board are Bill Bradfield, chairman; Matt Batchelor, assistant chairman; Jeff Wagoner, treasurer; and John Dodrill and Darren Puffinburger, directors.