By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Aug. 18 — It’s been more than seven decades since Bobby Mims climbed on a tractor and cleared wheat from the fields along Collins Avenue to make way for the Page Valley Fairgrounds. Originally home to the Circle 7 Rodeo, the fair’s board of directors purchased the property in the 1950s and started a county tradition, rooted in agriculture, that celebrates the bounty of the fields and the spirit of a culture.
“It’s a time for friendship and fellowship…It’s a time to admire the work of neighbors and friends; and it’s a time-honored community tradition,” current fair board president Stephanie Breeden said earlier this week.
It’s also a time to smash up some cars.
Not only is next Friday night’s Demolition Derby winning our online poll among the most anticipated events next week, it has become a fan favorite at the grandstand year after year at the Page Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair.
“I think it’s thrilling and exciting,” Breeden said, trying to explain the excitement around one of the fair’s biggest draws. “Some guys work year-round on these things, and they are very competitive.”
A great deal of excitement is brewing around Kentucky-born Christian music singer and songwriter Anne Wilson, who will perform at the grandstand at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24.
Wilson, 21, debuted on the music scene just two years ago with the release of the single “My Jesus” on the label Capitol Christian Music Group. The song was a breakthrough hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. Wilson’s extended play “My Jesus (Live in Nashville)”, also released in 2021, reached No. 12 on the Top Christian Albums chart in the U.S. The following year the song was nominated for the Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
For ticket information about the Aug. 24 show at the Page Valley Fair, CLICK HERE.
Grandstand events lead off with the gospel group “The Harmony Boys” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21. Truck and Tractor Pulls follow at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 22-23. After Wilson sings on Thursday and cars get smashed on Friday, the grandstand finale will feature True Grit Rodeo at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Getting back to its rodeo roots, the Page Valley Fair will feature bull riding at its best with True Grit Rodeo. The rodeo entertainment company specializes in bull riding, barrel racing, bull fighting, mini bulls and mutton busting.
Gate admission — $10 adults, $5 children (6-12) daily — includes access to all grandstand events, except the musical performance by Anne Wilson, which will require a separate ticket.
Season gate passes may be purchased for $35 for adults and $20 for children. Armbands for carnival rides will be sold by Snyder’s Amusements for $20 daily, and $15 on Kid’s Night – Monday, Aug. 21. On that evening, gate admission will be free for school-aged children, senior citizens, military veterans, law enforcement, and first responders (fire and EMS).
There will also be an entire week’s worth of free entertainment lined up, with live music at the Pavilion, demonstrations in the exhibits buildings and “side acts” along the midway.
“We are going to hatch a dinosaur at the fair,” Breeden said, promoting “Dinosaurs Live” — one of the acts that will be featured in the midway during the week, along with “Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing”. Master Gardeners will be giving free demonstrations on making jewelry, flowering arranging and gardening tips.
Another popular spot that’s been added to the fairgrounds in recent years is the Beer Garden, open Wednesday through Saturday evenings. The hours are 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday, and 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Admission is $20.
The fair president said earlier this week that more 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) kids are participating in the Page Valley Fair than ever before — a total of 88. Of those, half are “her kids” as members of the Page County Junior Stockmen club she organizes, while the other half “belong to” Josh Parlett, who coordinates the Page County Senior Livestock club.
Breeden says the overall health of the fair is good, with attendance rising in recent years. She estimates next week’s fair could see up to 5,000 visitors each day, Monday through Thursday, and upwards of 10,000 on Friday and Saturday. That is, unless it rains — which could drive attendance to less than 500.
Each year, the Page Valley Fair takes out rain insurance, costing more than $6,000. Liability insurance is another $15,000. Breeden says many in the community do not understand the amount of money, year-round planning and “hundreds of volunteers” it takes to put on the six-day production that is expected to draw more than 40,000 people to the former wheat fields along Collins Avenue.
She credits a “phenomenal” amount of in-kind donations and sponsorship, as well as an overall wealth of community support.
“The fair is here for the community,” Breeden said. “At the heart of a county fair is for the community to come together.”
Breeden’s father and grandfather both served on the fair board in Page County. Now, as a third-generation supporter of the agricultural values and lessons that live at the heart of the Page Valley Fair, she is determined to keep making the annual event bigger and better for the thousands who attend.
“It is so important in so many ways…what is does for the kids in 4-H and FFA and the sale of their livestock, what it does for the non-profits who sell food, what it does for promoting agriculture and promoting family,” Breeden said.
“It is so important in so many ways,” she said, “and we’re going strong.”
For more information about the Page Valley Fair,
visit www.pagevalleyfair.org
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71st Page Valley Fair
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
GATES OPEN DAILY AT 4 P.M.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
- 11 a.m. — 4-H/FFA animals must be on fairgrounds.
- 11:30 a.m. — Steer, Lamb/Goat and Hog weigh-ins
- 2-5 p.m. — Community Gospel Sing
- 4-6 p.m. — Food Pantry Bingo, supporting Page One, 1 ticket per game, each can of food is worth two tickets.
MONDAY, AUGUST 21
Kid’s Night offers free admission to school-aged children, as well as senior citizens over 60, military personnel (active, retired and veterans), and first responders. Discount of $5 on ride wristbands.
- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — adult exhibits entered.
- 10 a.m. — Beef Showmanship / Heifer Show and Market Show
- 5-9 p.m. — Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing, midway
- 6, 7 and 8 p.m. — Shenandoah Valley Made, Youth Exhibit building, jewelry making demonstrations, free kit.
- 6-9 p.m. — Page County Master Gardeners, Adult Exhibit building
- 7-8:30 p.m. — Gospel Group – Harmony Boys, free grandstand event.
- Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22
- 9 a.m. — Swine Showmanship / Marketing Hog Show
- 5-9 p.m. — Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing, midway
- 6-9 p.m. — Page County Master Gardeners, Adult Exhibit buildin
- 7-10 p.m. — County Line, live music at The Pavilion
- 7 p.m. — Truck/Tractor Pull, free grandstand event, pit access requires pit pass for additional fee
- Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23
- 10 a.m. — Sheep Showmanship / Ewe and Market Lamb Show
- 5-9 p.m. — Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing, midway
- 6-8 p.m. — Double Shot, live music at The Pavilion
- 6-9 p.m. — Page County Master Gardeners, Adult Exhibit building
- 6:30-10:30 p.m. — Beer Garden, admission $20
- 7 p.m. — Truck/Tractor Pull, free grandstand event, pit access requires pit pass for additional fee
- Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
- 10 a.m., Goat Showmanship / Market Goat Show
- 5-9 p.m. — Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing, midway
- 6-9 p.m. — Page County Master Gardeners, Adult Exhibit building
- 7-11 p.m. — Beer Garden, admission $20
- 7 p.m. — Anne Wilson, grandstand, additional ticket required
- Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
- Grace the Donkey, midway.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
- 5-9 p.m. — Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing, midway
- 6 p.m. — “Seed Saving” discussion, Page County Master Gardeners, in the Youth Exhibit building
- 7-10 p.m. — Josh Davidson, live music at The Pavilion
- 7-11 p.m. — Beer Garden, admission $20
- 7 p.m. — Demolition Derby, free grandstand event, pit access requires pit pass for additional fee
- 8 p.m. — “Propagating with stems, leaves and air drying” demonstration, Page County Master Gardeners, in the Youth Exhibit building
- Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
- 3 p.m., 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale (Steers, Lambs, Hogs, Goats)
- 5-9 p.m. Beards-n-Boards Ax Throwing, midway
- 6 and 8 p.m., “Floral Design” demonstration by Kevin Boyd of Nest & Hive, Youth Exhibit building
- 6:30-10:30 p.m., Beer Garden, admission $20
- 7-10 p.m., Spencer Hatcher, live music at The Pavilion
- 7 p.m., True Grit Rodeo, free grandstand event
- Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
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