From a “Pride of West Virginia” performance to educational activities, West Virginia State Fair attendees can learn about the adventures that await them at West Virginia University, Aug. 12 to 21 in Fairlea, West Virginia.

The WVU Building is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the exception of the final day of the fair when the building closes at 5 p.m.

Special appearances from familiar Mountaineer faces, including President Gordon Gee and the Mountaineer Mascot, will take place throughout the week.

Flood Relief Efforts

“The Pride of West Virginia” Mountaineer Marching Band will perform a free benefit concert at the 2016 State Fair on Saturday, August 20 at 1 p.m., in the Bluegrass Bowl.

The concert is free with paid gate admission, but donations will be accepted. All donations will go directly to schools in the state who lost instruments and equipment during the flood.

Other relief efforts take place in the WVU Building with a daily school supplies drive for youths impacted by the flooding. In exchange for a donation, attendees will receive a special edition WVU button.

Live, Local Expert Demonstrations

WVU Extension Service will provide advice and information on canning and food preservation, introduce families to new recipe ideas and provide engaging, expert demonstrations on everything from gardening to home safety.

Games and Prizes

In addition to participating in activities, visitors can play interactive games and explore options for going to college, financing their education, connecting with alumni and learning about majors all with a visit to the WVU exhibits.

Youths and family members can even participate in a WVU Extension scavenger hunt to learn about university departments and collect one-of-a-kind stickers.

Daily prize drawings happen at noon and 5 p.m.

Visitors can also win prizes by participating in the WVU Extension social media challenge. Follow the hashtag #WVUFairFun or look for @WVUExtension on Twitter for hints on where to find clues hidden throughout the fairgrounds, bring it back to the WVU Building and win the daily social media challenge prize.

Exhibitors and Entertainment

WVU Extension 4-H Youth Development will feature more than 2,500 award-winning 4-H projects from West Virginia youths covering everything from food products to rocketry. West Virginia 4-H Dance Ambassadors will celebrate the history of the state’s folk dancing culture with performances on the 4-H talent stage.

Fairgoers can also check out interactive exhibits from various other organizations, departments and colleges including Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, College of Business and Economics, University Relations, Health Sciences Center, Division of Student Life, WVU Fire Service Extension, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, WVU Tech, University Apartments and more.

Smart 529, The West Virginia Association of Counties, West Virginia Master Gardeners and Zide’s Sports Shop will also be in the building.

Follow the WVU Building events online by viewing a streaming video feed from the fair at bit.ly/WVUFair.

To stay up to date and join the conversation on social media, follow the official #wvufairfun hashtag, “like” WVU Extension on Facebook at facebook.com/WVUExtension and follow Twitter and Instagram accounts @WVUExtension.

For more information on WVU’s presence at the West Virginia State Fair, visit ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local county office of the WVU Extension Service.

-WVU-

bd/08/08/16

CONTACT: University Relations/News
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