State Fair of West Virginia

Hand Made Applique, Paper Pieced Quilt

​

The State Fair of West Virginia holds many memories for my family and me.  My great-grandfather was a founding member, creating the fair over 97 years ago.  Since then, family members from both sides of my parents have participated in the fair, in many ways, through showing animals, entering exhibits, volunteering, and working.  My parents first met at the Fair and we continue to go to the Fair every year to see all of our family and friends and have a fun time.  This quilt was made in 2014 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the State Fair.  Each block represents a favorite family tradition.

​

Clockwise from the top:

​

Photography:  My grandmother was a photographer and took many photographs of the fair for more than 50 years.  My sister is also a photographer and enters photographs every year. 

​

Food Exhibits:  Many in our family have entered canned food, cakes, pies, bread, and cookies, winning many blue ribbons. 

​

Tuckwiller Gallery:  My dad has had a booth at the fair for 44 years where he has sold his artwork, including his popular State Fair prints. 

​

Food: We enjoy eating all of the fair food each year especially the homemade donuts, country ham sandwiches, soft serve ice cream, and frozen bananas, to name a few.

​

Holstein cow:  Our family has shown cattle, sheep, hogs, and other 4-H projects at the Fair, but our favorites are the Holstein dairy cows! 

​

Quilts:  My sister and I have entered several quilts in the Fair.  This block includes remnants from quilts I have made and entered in past fairs. 

​

Flowers: My grandmother enters flowers each year. 

​

Carousel: Everyone loves a carousel, a favorite of all time.

​

Fat Albert: This is our favorite carnival game.  It has been around for more about 60 years.  Each night we enjoy going to the midway to be with other cousins gathered around the stand, all placing quarters on a color and trying to win a prize!

​

Harness racing: This was a very popular event for many years.  My great-grandfather helped build the original race track, and my grandfather owned a racehorse that once set a track record! 

​

The Big Maple Tree:  This was a great place for people to meet, take a break, enjoy the shade, and listen to others talk about their experiences at the Fair. 

​

Tractors:  My uncle worked at a tractor dealership.  We always had a good time sitting on the tractors that were on display at the Fair. 

​

More Food:  Everyone loves a big Paul Bunyan hamburger, a Fair favorite.

​

Music:  Some incredible entertainers have performed at the Fair throughout the years including: Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Britney Spears, Alabama, New Kids on the Block, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton, to name a few.