• • About the Fair
  • Admission Pricing
  • History
  • Committee
  • Sponsorship
  • Job Opportunities
• • Main Stage
  • Bullriding Competition
  • Ground Acts
  • Seafood Fest
  • Monster Truck Rides
  • Truck Pull
  • ATV Challenge
  • Corn Hole & Horseshoe Tournament
  • Antique Tractor Pulling
  • Lawn Mower Races
  • SV Tractor Pullers
  • Helicopter Rides
  • Horse and Mule Competition
  • Benefit Motorcycle Ride
  • Arts & Crafts Application
  • Talent Show
• • Garden and Field Information
  • Poultry and Rabbit
  • Food Competition
  • Art and Crafts Competition
  • 4-H
• • 2009 Pageant
  • Reigning Queens
• • Directions
  • Map

Isle of Wight County Fair (relatively!) Recent History

Beginning in 1991, a committee was established to explore the potential of re-establishing the fair as an “Old Fashioned County Fair.”  This committee was chaired by George Winslow, with assistance from Evelyn Chandler, Grace Keen, and many other interested and dedicated community leaders.  The group conducted prolific research and held countless discussions as they determined that the most reasonable approach to making the fair a reality was to establish a committee under the direction of the Isle of Wight County Public Recreational Facilities Authority, and request that the Board of Supervisors provide seed money as the initial funding.

In 1994, the first Isle of Wight County Fair since 1941 was held with Joel Clinton Bradshaw Jr. and Richard Turner as the Co-Chairs.  Since 1994, the fair has experienced several weather situations, including the 1999 arrival of Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd, which took its toll on the fairgrounds but strengthened the spirit of the committee.

About eleven years ago, the Isle of Wight County Public Recreational Facilities Authority was disbanded and the Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation Department was established. This new county entity in conjunction with an active and passionate Isle of Wight County Fair Committee took ownership of the Fair and managed and expanded the Fair to its present status.

In 2004, the Fair was moved to the newly opened Fairgrounds at Heritage Park on Route 258 near Windsor. In 2007, the Isle of Wight County Fair took a one year hiatus so that a much needed fairgrounds improvement project for the site could be undertaken. During the hiatus, the Parks and Recreation Department along with the Isle of Wight County Fair Committee hosted Agfest, a scaled down version of the Fair featuring many of the wonderful agricultural components of the Fair.

In 2008, the Isle of Wight County Fair re-opened to welcome Isle of Wight County residents and visitors alike to the newly renovated Fairgrounds at Heritage Park. The Fair Committee is chaired by veteran Fair Committee member, David Sawyer and brought to you by his dedicated team of Event and Logistics Chairmen. And this year…the Fair will be bigger and better than ever! Fairgoers will experience national entertainers on the main stage and plenty of regional and local acts as well. Plus popular events such as the exciting mid-way rides, ATV Challenge, Tractor Pull, sanctioned lawn mower races, agricultural competitions, craft demonstrations, and of course, everybody’s favorite…fair food!

Welcome back!!