CHESTERFIELD – Brenda White, General Manager of the Chesterfield County Fair, said she is excited about this year’s fair, not because there are more rides on the midway, because of the fried Oreos, or because of the contest for largest pumpkin. The list of performances and activities is what makes second year manager White, smile ear to ear. “I started on the Board of Directors in 2011 as the Pageant Director,” she said. The fair has been in existence since 1911, long before White was born. White remembers every year since she’s been involved, including attendance. “In 2015, the Fair set a new attendance record in the vicinity of 50,000 attendees. That was despite having to close one night early due to extreme weather. This year, with hard work and new and exciting adventures coming to the Fair, we hope and anticipate, with the help and cooperation of Mother Nature, to exceed that number,” White said.
“This year, for the first time ever in this, outdoor area, we are having a monster truck show on September 2-3. The show will begin each night at 8 p.m. with a pit party at 6:30 p.m. for our guests to see the monster trucks up close and personal and take pictures,” White said. Interested in competing in either the ATV or UTV shootout?” For more information email : [email protected].
According to White, Kachunga and the Alligator Show, with Gil Castillo, will be back this year after, a several-year hiatus. Castillo has one of only 100 albino alligators in the U.S.. Three new vendors have been added to the Heritage Village; they will display paper-and-broom making skills.
The Longbranch Rodeo makes another appearance the weekend of August 27 and 28 with bucking bulls and cowboys and a mutton bustin’ contest as well.
New this year, and for the first time ever for the 21-and-over crowd, is the “Chesterfield Cheers” area — by the grandstand area. “Come and enjoy the bands and entertainment in our brand new Chesterfield Cheers,” White said
Captains Jim’s is Magic Pirate Show is new this year. He has a remarkable story to tell – having gone through his own tragedy of losing a leg in a motorcycle accident and then rising above it all and making a new life out of it all.
“And then there’s entertainment, of course,” White said.
“It wouldn’t be the Fair without Keith Henderson, Illusions of the King – it’s been 18 years for Henderson this year. People come early and line their chairs up by the stage to get prime seating to see him! To say he’s the biggest draw – that’s the truth. He and his wife, Sarah, are two of the nicest people you could ever want to meet,” said White.
In addition to Henderson, grandstand entertainment will also include Groove Motive, Southland Band, Blend, GXW Pro Wrestling, En’Novations, The Embers, Kevin Mac Band and Patsy and the Country Classics, Shepherds Center Senior Idol, the National Guard Military Band and the Chesterfield County Fair Pageant.
One of the events that White holds close to her heart is the Miss Chesterfield County Fair Princess Pageant. It will be held Sat., Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at LC Bird H.S.
“The theme is ‘Pageant Hollywood;’ we will crown five new Princesses,” said White. “There are 30 contestants. We are looking forward to adding to our ‘Royals.’”
“The Miss Chesterfield County Fair Pageant (Queen) will be held on Monday, August 29 at 8 p.m. at the Grandstand. There are four lovely contestants vying for the title; one will go on to compete in January at the Homestead for the title of Miss Virginia Association of Fairs title,” said White. The theme this year is a rocking theme of “Let’s Twist Again” – a throwback to the 1950’s. Poodle skirts and diners will be everywhere. We’re so proud to be able to say that our 2012 Miss Chesterfield County Fair, Savannah Lane, was the 2015 Miss Virginia.
White has a lot of fun of running the fair, though it can be a challenge, she said.
“The most challenging part?” White said. “Trying to measure spaces in this horrid heat.”
“But once it is underway, seeing the smiles on people’s faces and knowing that it’s been successful and that people have had fun – that’s ultimately my goal,” said White. “To make sure that its first a safe fair and then that people have fun – that there’s something there for everyone to do, of all ages.”
The Village News asked White, “How long does it take to recover from all the work of putting the fair together? She responded, “Who says I recover? It’s year round. The planning is constant. I already have acts booked for 2017!”
She doesn’t know how many work at the fair; apparently it is a lot.
“I don’t think that we’ve actually ever counted the number of volunteers because they vary from day to day. Let’s just say that it’s tremendous. And we appreciate each and every one of them. Without them; there is no fair. It’s even the little things that you may not think of – like moving tables from one space to another that saves me time; or my “Pageant Posse” as I call them – they literally save my skin. I depend upon each and every volunteer in so many ways. Some of them are just on auto pilot.”
White said she would just like to add a big “thank you” to everyone who comes to the fair; “We appreciate your patronage and support and to Chesterfield County for their support as well. We have a great working relationship with the county. Without the tremendous work of the Board of Directors and Officers also – the Chesterfield County Fair would not exist. I encourage people to get involved and volunteer with the fair. Yes, we do work very hard; but, we do have fun! Where else can you ride a camel, pet baby goats, alligators, sing with Keith Henderson, sit on a Monster Truck or get a Queen’s autograph? I dare say few places.”
