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Rockbridge Regional Fair board reports steady attendance, books Virginia Horse Center through 2026
Summary
Fair board chair and 4‑H officials told the county board the 2024 Rockbridge Regional Fair had positive feedback after moving to the Virginia Horse Center; livestock participation is increasing and the board booked the Horse Center for 2024–26 and plans to review location after 2026.
The Rockbridge Regional Fair Board told the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 that the 2024 fair, held Sept. 12–14 at the Virginia Horse Center, drew positive feedback and that the fair board has contracted with the Horse Center for 2024–26.
John McDonalds, identified in the meeting as the fair board chair, said the board was largely new last year and ‘‘we felt we had a successful fair.’’ Organizers substituted inflatables for midway rides in 2024 and reported positive family response because the inflatables were free of charge. The livestock show drew 33 young exhibitors, and Megan Sheets, the county 4‑H agent, told the board that youth livestock participation has climbed over the last five years after a dip and now includes many hobby farmers and new families.
Fair treasurer (name not specified in transcript) said attendance estimates based on food sales and visual head counts were roughly similar between the Horse Center and the prior Glasgow location, though the board lacked a precise turnstile-style count for either site. The fair generated notable fundraising revenue from a raffle for a Kubota tractor in partnership with a local dealer; organizers said that raffle produced significant income in 2024.
Board members discussed bringing rides back in future years and said the Horse Center's infrastructure made event logistics easier. The fair board reported a three-year agreement with the Virginia Horse Center covering the 2024–26 events; organizers said they will revisit location options again after the 2026 fair.
The county board and fair organizers also discussed a possible spring event in Glasgow; a fair board member said the Glasgow town manager expressed support and that fair organizers would continue conversations with local officials.
Why it matters: the fair is a community event that supports 4‑H programming, local agriculture and volunteer-led activities; booking the Virginia Horse Center provides multi-year venue stability while the board monitors attendance and revenue implications.
Speakers recorded in the meeting transcript included John McDonalds (Fair Board chair), Megan Sheets (4‑H agent) and Tom Stanley (extension agriculture agent).
