Tricks and trucks along with non-stop musical entertainment will fill the bill at this year’s Mineral County Fair. The 59th annual event is set for July 28 through Aug. 2 at the fairgrounds in Fort Ashby.
New to the fair is a Truck Pull that will roll into the grandstand area on Tuesday, July 29.
A fair queen will once again reign over the six-days of festivities, with six teens representing Frankfort and Keyser high schools competing on opening night, Monday, July 28.
The midway stage will feature sounds from bands ranging from hometown country favorite Charlie Kenney to Frankfort Middle School’s Teal Steel band. Shows begin each night at 6 p.m.
“The bands will play two shows each night and Charlie Kenney will be back on stage after the queen pageant,” Scott Turley, assistant fair chairman said. “We’re also excited about the Truck Pull and think the audience will be pleased as well.”
Nightly grandstand entertainment in addition to Tuesday’s Truck Pull includes  the Imperial Stunt Drivers on Monday, July 28; the popular Demolition Derby on Wednesday, July 30; Figure 8 Racing on Thursday, July 31; and the trucks hit the mud on Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2, for the Four Wheel Drive Mud Boggin’.
Senior citizens age 62 and older will be able to attend each night for half off the $10 pay-one-price fee that includes gate admission, all rides, entertainment and parking. Cole Shows Amusement Co. of Covington, Va., will provide rides and games for the 10th year. Rides will be open Monday through Friday until 10:30 p.m. and Saturday until 11 p.m.
The Magic of the Caplingers will be featured in the midway area. “They have their own free-standing stage and will offer performances throughout the evening,” said Turley.
Local entertainment slated to appear include Charlie Kenney on Monday; the Chinese Bandits on Tuesday; Teal Steel, Wednesday; Appalachia, Thursday; Takoma Park, Friday; and the Harmony Boys on Saturday.
Mineral County 4-H and FFA students also play big roles in the fair each year. On Thursday, a Junior Livestock Show is set for 6 p.m. The 4-H Horse and Pony Show is planned at 11 a.m. Friday and will be held in the newly constructed ring on the state Route 28 side of the fairgrounds. The Ag Field Day begins Friday at 6 p.m. The week concludes with the Livestock Sale on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Mineral County Community Outreach Service (CEOS) clubs will be giving demonstrations each evening in the main exhibit building.
The grand feature parade will line up beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday on Dan’s Run Road. The parade start is set for 4 p.m.
Advance sale season tickets will again be offered and provide a substantial savings on the nightly gate fee. Tickets can be purchased for $40 prior to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 28, at the Mineral County Extension Office, Keyser; M&T Bank, Fort Ashby; FNB Bank, Fort Ashby; First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, Hunt Club Plaza; BB&T Bank, Fort Ashby; and the Mineral County Fair Office.
Gates open each evening at 6 p.m. with Saturday’s opening set at 5 p.m.
This year’s fair grand drawing takes place on Saturday at 11 p.m. Tickets are available from any member of the Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Company and at the grand drawing booth.
Businesses also can sponsor nightly midway stage entertainment. For additional information or to reserve commercial space in the exhibit building or participate in the parade, contact the fair office at (304) 298-3712.
For information on the Destruction Derby, Figure 8 Racing, Truck Pull or Mud Boggin’, call Jack Fullerton Productions at (814) 634-0916.
Members of the fair board are Todd Middleton, chairman; Scott Turley, assistant chairman; Melissa Turley, secretary; Helen Cheshire, treasurer; and Matt Bachelor, John Dodrill and Bill Bradfield, directors.
The Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Company sponsors the fair.