Mineral County Fair opens Tuesday

Jun. 17—FORT ASHBY, W.Va. — The 73rd edition of the Mineral County Fair opens Tuesday as the cowboys come to town with hopes of taming the bucking bulls.

The Diamond J. Rodeo kicks off fair week with bull riding and barrel racing beginning at 7 p.m.

Weekly grandstand attractions also include a demolition derby and two nights of the Mud Bog.

Returning this year is the popular Battle of the Barrels on Wednesday. The event pits teams of local firefighters that work to push a barrel across a zipline using a fire hose.

"We're urging any area fire companies to get their teams registered as soon as possible," fair chairman Bill Bradfield said. "It's a great way to support your local fire companies."

Cole Amusement Company is providing more than 20 rides and attractions for all ages.

Fair stage entertainment opens Tuesday with two performances by West Virginia native and fair favorite Josh Oldaker at 7 and 9 p.m.

On Wednesday, JEDD Nation will perform on the stage at 7 and 9 p.m. with the Battle of the Barrels kicking off at 7 p.m.

Thursday will see the Demolition Derby featuring 4- and 8-cylinder vehicles at 7 p.m. along with the band Patchy Fog performing on the fairgrounds stage at 7 and 9 p.m.

The stock and modified class Mug Bog is set for Friday at 7 p.m. along with two shows by 28 Speedway at 7 and 9 p.m.

Mineral County's own Centerfire bluegrass band will round out fair week on Saturday with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. along with the super stock and super modified classes of the Mud Bog at the grandstand. The grand feature parade will line up beginning at 3 p.m. on Dan's Run Road and move at 4 p.m.

Gates and rides open Tuesday through Friday at 6 p.m. and run through 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, gates open at 5 p.m. after the parade with rides running from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A pay-one-price fee of $15 includes gate admission, parking, all rides and stage and track entertainment. Fairgoers 62 and older are admitted each night for $8.

Weekly passes, which offer a substantial savings off of the nightly gate fee, can be purchased for $55 through June 20 at 5 p.m. at the Mineral County Extension Office, Keyser; M&T Bank, Fort Ashby; FNB Bank, Fort Ashby; First People's Community Federal Credit Union, Short Gap, Cresaptown, Keyser, ABL branches; Truist Bank, Keyser; Grady's One Stop, 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 2 p.m. on Saturday.

For additional information or to register for the Battle of the Barrels, contact the fair office at 304-298-3712.

To register for the Mud Bog, Demolition Derby or parade, visit www.mineralcountyfair.com.

Members of the fair board are Bill Bradfield, chairman; Matt Batchelor, assistant chairman; Helen Cheshire, secretary-treasurer; Jeff Wagoner, assistant treasurer; and John Dodrill and Darren Puffinburger, directors.

The Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Company sponsors the fair.