Karen D. Wright donated her “plein air” oil painting to the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture this year. She captured the abandoned fairground stand in 1974 when she was 16. It will continue to tell the story of the original Botetourt County Fair which was held from 1879 to 1949 near Hawthorn Hall off Route 220. Karen’s mother, Anna Lou Dalton Wright (1933-2017) was given a nickel to spend for the day at this location. She and her younger brother, Earl Dalton, used to walk to the fair. In 2013 the Botetourt County Fair was resurrected and continues to be held at the Buchanan Town Park. It will be held this year on Friday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 2. There will be games, food, local vendors, animals, baking and sewing competitions and more. The highlight will be the next generation of children sharing their agricultural skills. For more information go to Botetourtcountyfair.com.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
