Attractions

From savvy chimpanzees, racing ducks, aerial show and cowboy mounted shooting all new must-sees at the 2008 State Fair!





NEW!
"Big Aerial Show"

3 performances daily
Aerial Show

"A jaw dropping act comprised of wire walking, aerialists, jugglers, 90 foot sway pole and . . . . the unexpected. It’s a visual extravaganza of athleticism, showmanship and comedy." If you loved Slackwire Sam in 2006, you absolutely won’t believe him with his Big Aerial Show.

Our racing ducks gallery of photos NEW!
Great American Duck Races of New Mexico

4-5 shows daily

Experience the thrill of victory, the agony of wet feet, get your ducks in a row at this newest wackiest and quackiest event at the State Fair. You would not believe how fast the feathers fly (the record is 83/100 of a second for 16 feet) – these are definitely not sitting ducks. The Great American Duck Races of New Mexico definitely fills the "bill."

Chimps NEW!
Rosaire-Zoppe Chimpanzees

3 performances daily

The most respected and largest chimpanzee ensemble in the entertainment world. The Rosaire-Zoppe chimps represent eight generations of animal trainers and performers respected worldwide for their animal presentations. They have been featured at Disneyland, The Tonight Show, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, Shrine Circuses and major rodeos. You will be truly amazed with their antics as well as the world’s only trick and fancy horseback riding chimp. Ride’em cowchimp!

Clydesdale NEW!
Clydesdale Ridge Six Horse Hitch

The massive and majestic beauty of one-ton horses fondly referred to as gentle giants on display and performing at select times for a limited engagement . . . Sunday September 28 through Sunday October 5

Cowboy Mounted Shooting NEW!
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition - Covered Arena
Friday, October 3 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 4 – All Day
Championship Rodeo - High School & Pro  Rodeos Let’s go to the rodeo!
Tundra Tough Trucks Rodeo
High School & Pro Rodeos

The horse and livestock skills of the early American cowboy are alive and well as displayed in competition in Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping, Team Roping, Bull Riding, and Cowgirls Barrel Race with entertainment and rodeo clowns rounding out the show.

High School Rodeo :   Monday, September 29 - 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.
IPRA Pro Rodeo : Tuesday, September 30 - 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 1 - 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Racing Pigs The ever popular . . .
Racing Pigs
presented by Farm Bureau Insurance
5 performances daily

Pig power, swift swine, high-speed hogs are good ways to describe the racing prowess of the porcine species with lots of audience participation as pigs vie for a tasty reward when they cross the finish line. Who would have thought they could run so fast?

Extreme  Canines Stunt Dog Show Back by popular demand!
Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show
3 performances daily

America’s favorite stunt dogs soar, spin, jump and fly! From back flips to hand stands these "Extreme Canines" perform big air stunts and comedy antics. As seen on Animal Planet’s Pet Stars, Amazing Animal Videos, Adoption Tales and even the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. All have been adopted from pounds and shelters across the country and have turned into stars. Each dog’s story will make you laugh, cry, cheer and ask for more. New Extreme Canines Triathlon combines agility, flyball and Frisbee catching in addition a creative repertoire of high jump, jump rope, and cool dance moves. Action Jackson returns!

Tractor Pull
Tractor Pull
NEW! Friday Night Event added
Tractor Pulls
Performance Times TBD

Not your grandfather’s farm tractor, although they do have their roots in agriculture. Classes include Stock, Stock Altered, Pro Stock, Sportsmen Super Modified, Pro Sportsman Super Modified,Pro Eliminator, Super Modified, Pro Sportsman Mini-Rod, Eliminator Mini-Rod

Friday, September 26 - 1 show, 5 p.m.
Saturday,, September 27 - 2 shows, 2 & 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 28 - 2 shows, 2 & 6 p.m.

www.svtpa.com or 540-327-1002 or 540-662-2071

Masters of the  Chainsaw In case you missed the skill and artistry . . . .
Masters of the Chainsaw
presented by STIHL
3 performances daily
(except final Sunday – Auction takes place of final show)

One of the finest professional chainsaw sculptors in the world combines both speed and artistic ability to create a collectible piece of art at every show. Nearly every 45-minute show will result with a chainsaw carving being-produced from start to finish. All pieces will be auctioned to the public at the end of the Fair, Sunday, October 5.

Mutton Bustin For all aspiring cowboys . . .
Mutton Bustin’

Mutton Bustin’ is similar to the world it imitates – bull riding.Contestants ages 6 years and younger and less than 60 lbs. attempt to last six seconds on a sheep that’s as unpredictable as a bull. What could be more fun for a kid than hanging onto a sheep for a six-second round like a real cowboy?

Qualifying Events : Saturday, Septemeber 27 - Noon & 6 p.m.
Finals : Sunday, September 28 - 6:30 p.m.

McKann No household challenge is too perplexing . .
McKann Home Improvement Show
in the Better Living Center

You know the voice from WRVA’s Saturday morning Home Improvement Show. He’s the man with all the answers to questions you never knew you had. Now meet the man behind the voice and wit as you find out solutions to common and not-so-common vexing household challenges.

Weekdays 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday

Demo Derby NEW! Rollover and Double Figure 8 Competition --
DRIVERS WANTED

State Fair of Virginia Demolition Derby Championships
Produced by JM Productions
World’s Largest Demolition Derby!

Gentlemen start your engines! And begin the destruction! The deafening roar of engines, the crash of fenders and the spewing of radiators is what Demo Derby is all about.
Rules Demo Derby
Rules Figure 8
Entry Forms

Friday, October 3: 7 pm - Demolition Derby
Saturday, October 4: 2 p.m. - Rollover & Figure-8 Competition 7 p.m. - Demolition Derby
Sunday, October 5: 2 p.m. - Rollover & Figure-8 Competition
6 p.m. - Demolition Derby
AGRICADABRA! – The Magic of Agriculture
Better Living Center – Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, October 5
(3 performances weekdays, 4 performances weekends)

The magic of agriculture is around us everywhere at the fair: from hatching eggs to prize-winning pumpkins. But no where is it more apparent than in the unique magic show Agricadabra: the Magic of Agriculture. Interactive, educational, and hilarious with a magical touch.

Robotics USFirst Robotics
- Displays and performances daily in Technology Building

USFirst is a high school robotics program to foster an appreciation and in-depth knowledge of technology and science. The term FIRST stands for "For Inspiration of Science and Technology. The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules.