The State Fair of West Virginia's CEO says this year's event was a success, despite rain that reduced attendance.
State fair chief executive officer Marlene Joliffe said Tuesday in a news release that the 89th annual event saw between 170,000 and 175,000 visitors, down from previous years.
Rain fell on five days during the fair's eight-day run in August in Fairlea.
Joliffe said 67 percent of fairgoers who responded to an online survey rated their experience at the fair as above average or excellent.
There were an estimated 4,000 entries in the livestock, 4-H/FFA or home arts and garden competitions. Winning exhibitors were paid a total $175,000 in award premiums.
The fair also collected 20,000 pounds of food which was distributed to six area food banks, along with cash donations.
