Everything fairgoers love, in a new location

By Kathy Dixon

You may be celebrating with funnel cake instead of bubbly, but if you come out to this year's State Fair of Virginia Sept. 24 through Oct. 4, you'll be christening The Meadow Event Park in picturesque Caroline County.

Situated on the birthplace of Triple Crown winner Secretariat, the new fair site retains its pastoral beauty with grass-covered parking areas and a paved midway set back from the main road.

"We're trying to leave the whole place looking mostly like a horse farm, which fits with our mission of preserving open space," said Jay Lugar, marketing director for the State Fair of Virginia Inc. "The property is historic and beautiful, and we want to keep it that way."

Situated on 360 acres conveniently located off Interstate 95 at Exit 98, The Meadow Event Park includes rolling hills, a wetlands area, a horse stable and show rings, and a variety of other structures.

Farm Bureau Center is the site's largest exhibition hall, with 75,000 square feet ...