The Botetourt County Fair begins this weekend at Buchanan Town Park.
[CORRECTION: Last week, The Herald incorrectly reported the location of Friday night’s Beer Garden.]
One of the county’s most anticipated weekends begins Friday, August 2, from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. with a Beer Garden featuring Virginia Mountain Vineyards and live music at the Town Park, sponsored by Colonial Title and Old Republic Title. Food will be available from Ferguson Family Provisions and the Lord Botetourt High School Future Farmers of America (FFA).
Shows and demos take place this Saturday, August 3, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Buchanan Town Park, located on Lowe Street.
The traditional portion of this year’s fair will include:
- Youth livestock and poultry shows beginning at 10 a.m.
- Agriculture demonstrations
- The annual Draft Horse Pull beginning at 10 a.m.
- Chicken Bingo
- Dwayne Hodges from Woodchucks Wood Carvings in Boones Mill will be on hand to do wood carving demonstrations
- The “Kid’s Corner” will offer face painting, tug of war, sack races, blow up slide and youth ag education
- Farmhouse fair contests are located in the Buchanan Community House and will showcase local baked goods, produce, jams/jellies and art entries
- Food booths include walking desserts, fresh squeezed lemonade, kettle corn, pork chop sandwiches, baked potatoes and burgers/hot dogs
Additionally, Central Academy Middle School student Sariah Jamison was selected as the winner of the 2024 Botetourt County Fair T-shirt design contest. The shirts will be available for purchase at the fair.
The fair’s board of directors recently started a new mini grant project using a portion of the proceeds from the “Feather to Fork” poultry chain project and the local food walk at the fair to provide a grant of funds to Botetourt youth who have participated in the Botetourt County Fair who wish to start or expand a future agricultural project.
Mini grant funds may be used to purchase supplies, equipment, animals, and/or educational materials, etc. to support the project. Funds may be used to start, grow, or expand their project to become a more productive enterprise operation. This is open to Botetourt County 4-H and FFA youth aged 9 to 19 who have participated in the Botetourt County Fair. The board will be awarding this year’s recipients at the conclusion of the Youth Livestock Show on Saturday.
The community is invited to bring along friends, family, and a lawn chair for a fun weekend in Buchanan. Anyone interested in volunteering may learn more by visiting botetourtcountyfair.com.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
