Prince William County Fair opens Aug. 10 for a ten-day run at fairgrounds in Manassas

Virginia’s largest county fair – which can be found right in Prince William County every August – is boasting some new attractions this year. The Prince William County Fair, privately owned by the Prince William Veterans Farm Club, Inc., marks its 63rd year this August 10-18, 2012.

The event, at the Prince William County Fairgrounds at 10624 Dumfries Road in Manassas, will feature livestock, home arts and military exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, baby contests, live music, games and carnival rides. Organizers expect 90,000 to 100,000 attendees and more than 300 volunteers this year.

M. Milton “Mac” MacDonald has served as the treasurer of the Prince William Veterans Farm Club, Inc. since December last year; he’s been a member of the club’s board of directors since March 2010. MacDonald has had a lifelong connection with the fair. MacDonald’s father, Morton, was one of the fair’s founders, when it was started in 1949 by a group of young World War II veterans. They wanted to promote Prince William County agriculture.

“I can remember all the excitement and anticipation generated by fair time for so many people – it was a fun time,” “Mac” MacDonald recalled fondly. “I was in 4-H, had a ‘show pig’ and ready for the air.  I remember the early days, mid-fifties, when huge tents… were erected for the animals and home arts entries.  I also remember the fair moving from place to place in the early years and the hurricane blowing the tents down.”

MacDonald said last year, about 70,000 people attended the fair. Organizers started some initial planning for this year’s fair, as soon as last year’s ended. MacDonald said “more intense preparation” begins about five months before the fair kicks off.

One of the biggest hurdles to overcome involves money. MacDonald said the Prince William Veterans Farm Club, Inc. a private corporation, receives no financial assistance from the county, state or federal governments. “For 63 years the challenge has been to generate enough revenue to have an annual fair and to keep increasing costs down in an increasing cost environment.”

This year, the fair will open at noon on weekends and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Gates will open on “$2 Tuesday,” August 14, at 2 p.m. Admission to the fair will be only $2 that day. Half Price Day will be Sunday, August 12 with admission to the fair costing $4, and ride wrist bands $10.  All prices are listed on the http://www.pwcfair.com.

Catherine Clemen is president of the board of directors of the Prince William Veterans Farm Club, Inc. “We are really excited about making it the best possible ten-day extravaganza for the public,” she said.

Some scheduled events at the fair include: the first Armed Forces Appreciation Day at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12 in the grandstand area. “This will be an outstanding ceremony celebrating and honoring our veterans and wounded warriors who play such a heroic service in preserving our freedom at home and abroad,” said Clemen.

Rear Admiral Robert H. Shumaker, USN (Ret.), a prisoner of war for eight years in Hanoi, will deliver a keynote address. Presentations are planned by a Color Guard and 4-H Precision Horse Drill Team. According to a press release, all veteran and active duty military and a guest will be admitted free throughout the day.

Other fair events this year include the first, prescheduled field trips for daycare groups on Monday, Aug. 13, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.; a baby contest for boys and girls ages 9-18 months on Saturday, Aug. 11 and ages 19-36 months on Saturday, Aug. 18. More information can be found on http://www.pwcfair.com.

The former Pony and Pets Barn will become the Agri-Culture Barn with interactive exhibits, sponsored by the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District under the direction of Jay Yankey, district manager.  The Heritage Barn will feature tractors, farm equipment and tools. The Kids Zone will include camel and pony rides and Nojoes Clown Circus. Lionel Ward will appear as the legendary Elvis Presley on August 12 in the Show Barn.

More information also is available by calling 703-368-0173 or e-mailing pwcfairl @aol.com