Pr. William fair brings modern world a taste of areas agricultural heritage

Gavin Saul is a busy guy this week. Theres an embryology exhibit to man. Hes involved in ham radio activities. And hes playing viola with Jeff Robbins in a Mountain Music, Stories and Dance show while his hen, Yolk, wanders nearby.

Its just another week at the Prince William County Fair for the 13-year-old Manassas resident.

The fair, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, will be at the county fairgrounds in Manassas through Saturday. Billed as the largest county fair in Virginia, the event put on by the Veterans Farm Club usually draws about 85,000 visitors each year and employs more than 300 volunteers.

And while some things have changed over the years for example, most of the livestock now comes from surrounding counties since farms in Prince William have dwindled theres a lot that hasnt, said Edward Roseberry, the secretary of the board of directors for the fair. Chiefly, the fair remains a family affair at heart, with people trying to keep the areas agricultural traditions alive.

Roseberrys father, Kite, was one of the founders of the fair. Edward has been working with the fair since 1992 and attending since the mid-1950s, he said.

Its a family curse, Roseberry joked just inside the fair entrance on opening night last week. Its like a family here, you reconnect with people you only see at fair time. A lot of people have gotten involved because their parents were involved. Were just trying to carry on the tradition.

Roseberry talked about the fairs early years, from hurricanes blowing away the tents that used to house livestock (exhibits are now housed in buildings) to a group getting together to grow and sell corn to keep the money-losing event afloat in its second year.

Meanwhile, Robbins started playing Shell Be Coming Round the Mountain on one of the instruments he uses in his show, many of which he or his father made. Robbins plays mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer and banjo to introduce audiences to Virginias musical heritage.

Its old-time music, the stuff that preceded bluegrass, Robbins said. Its the old folk songs that have been in our history for years. Were trying to keep the heritage alive. We dont hear these in schools anymore, theyre not teaching them a whole lot of folk music, so Im trying to pick it up at the fairs.

He demonstrated his One String Pork-n-Bean Guitar before the show: a tin can and a guitar string attached to a two-by-four piece of wood. He played it with a can opener and a plastic guitar pick. He had several on hand and during his show, kids from the audience joined him in playing Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Original post:
Pr. William fair brings modern world a taste of areas agricultural heritage