One for the money; two for the show; three to get ready; and four to GO – to the State Fair!



The State Fair was back for its final year at the Richmond International Raceway vicinity from September 25 to October 5. 11 days of food, fun, games, and attractions brought a huge crowd to the 62nd annual Virginia State Fair.



Fair goers were endlessly entertained by the traditional state fair attractions including the Big Red Barnyard, a playpen of livestock animals ranging from rabbits to alpacas to newborn cows set out in the Cattle Birthing Canter.



Entered in one of the blue ribbon contests this year was Mary DelPopolo’s 1007 pound pumpkin. Although her pumpkin did not break the record 1138 pounds, it did win her a first place blue ribbon and a $300 prize.



Hanover students enrolled in the horticulture class also had a chance to go to the fair on a field trip on September 25. Juniors Regina Patterson and Kori Pack participated in the Horticulture Demonstration Contest.

“We made flower pot pens and we got third place,” said Patterson. For more information on the contest, see

in the features section.

After the contest, students were allowed to explore the fair. Junior Alex Peay enjoyed eating and seeing the animals exhibitions.

“It was really fun,” said Peay.

The Extreme Canine Stunt Dog Show returned to the fair this year by popular demand. The show features a cast of adopted dogs from pounds and shelters across the country performing an Extreme Canine Triathlon as well as other extreme events. The Extreme Canines have starred on Animal Planet’s Pet Stars, Amazing Animal Videos and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Fair foods included turkey legs, fresh lemonade, huge hot-dogs, pork parfaits, pizza, fried oreos, and elephant ears among other treats.



Also familiar to regular fair-goers were the multitudes of games, food, and rides. This year, the Extreme, a giant claw pendulum that twirled riders in the air produced the loudest screams.



Other events included rodeo contests for adults and children. Mutton bustin’ proved very popular for young aspiring cowboys. Contestants ages six years and younger and weighing less than 60 pounds were placed on an unpredictable sheep for six seconds to test their bull riding skills.



In addition to all the familiar attractions were the familiar faces of the many foreign workers employed by Andy Deggeller, owner of the Midway Entertainment. There are currently about 100 foreigners employed in the traveling fair circuit. About a third comes from South Africa, another third from Mexico and the rest from various other countries.



The fair also integrated new events this year.



The “Big Aerial Show” amazed spectators. Viewers were entertained by the talented Slackwire Sam, wire-walkers, aerialists, and jugglers.



Robert and Kathy Duck also brought their Great American Duck Races of New Mexico to the fair this year. Robert Duck has been competing and wining these races with his ducks in New Mexico for 12 years, earning him $50,000 in prizes and featured spots on “The Tonight Show.” In the race, ducks are released into a 16 foot pool where they race to the finish line. The record wining time is 83/100 of a second.



The fair also incorporated another new feature this year: the Rosaire-Zoppe Chimpanzees. This is the largest and most respected chimpanzee ensemble in the entire world. Their show features the world’s only trick and fancy horseback riding chimp.



The Virginia State Fair proved to be another outstanding success. Many hope next year’s new cite in Caroline County, near King’s Dominion, will be just as enjoyable.