The state’s oldest agricultural fair opened its gates on Friday, celebrating 87 years of fair fun.

The Newport Agricultural Fair, Virginia’s oldest agricultural fair, has been canceled for 2020. Usually held in August, the fair features the best of the community’s agricultural heritage and the beloved Miss Newport pageant. Newport Agricultural Fair Board of Director President Kevin Law made the announcement the 2020 fair would be canceled, only the second time to happen in it’s history. According to an article written by Bill Vincel, during the war years the Newport Fair was cancelled from 1942 to 1946 as all energies were being directed to the war effort. The Fair Board of Directors plans to continue the fair in 2021.