The following information was taken from the pages of the 1921 edition of The West Virginia News.
• March 19, 1921
The preliminary organization of the Greenbrier Valley Fair was effected in Lewisburg last Monday night at a meeting of citizens who have for weeks been advocating to establishment of a fair for this section of West Virginia.
The proper location for the fairgrounds was a question for much discussion as to adaptability and accessibility of the two locations proposed. Ronceverte citizens offered the Bruce Hollow land as a site, while others of the county proposed the Driscol farm, two miles north of Ronceverte. It was decided without delay to accept the Driscol land, which comprises about 42 acres.
The fair will be incorporated, and a charter will be applied for as soon as the necessary amount of stock is subscribed.
Preparations have already begun for holding a fair this year.
At the meeting in Lewisburg, the fair organization applied for a membership in the Virginia Association of Fairs, which joins it with one of the most successful fair circuits in the East.
• March 26, 1921
A charter incorporating the Greenbrier Valley Fair was applied for at the secretary of state’s office. The necessary amount of stock for the charter application was subscribed sooner than expected, and the sale of stock raising the amount for immediate work in starting off the fair project will be finished up shortly.
The fair promoters viewed the grounds this week, selecting the proper locations for the various permanent features, such as the track, grandstand, and stables and discussed other details in connection with the establishment of a fair for southeastern West Virginia, which will become in time as famous as this section is now far-noted for its stock and agricultural superiority.
• April 9, 1921
The permanent organization of the Greenbrier Valley Fair Association was effected at a meeting of stockholders held in Lewisburg last week. Mr. John B. Sydenstricker was elected president; F.A. Burgess, vice president; W.L. Tabscott, secretary; and C.E. Boone, treasurer. The directors are J.B. Sydenstricker, F.A. Burgess, C.E. Boone, C.G. Rader, J.D. Arbuckle, Ross H. Tuckwiller, Harry Wilson, S.P. Preston, and H.B. Moore.
Work has already begun on improving the site for a fair to be held this year, and this will be pressed forward to early completion.
The location of the fairgrounds is halfway between Ronceverte and Lewisburg on a portion of the former Driscol farm, right on the electric railway.
• July 9, 1921
Where in the wide expanse of this glorious country of ours could you find a more fitting home for an agricultural and livestock fair than in Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia?
Here in the heart of the Appalachian Highlands, the Big Levels of the Greenbrier Valley can supply every feature that goes to make a perfect country.
It seems strange indeed that there has not been an agricultural fair in this ideal country as an essential feature of its fine community life.
There were many handicaps in those days, but now we have the electric railway, hard-surfaced roads, the automobile, and, best of all, a progressive spirit.
The surrounding counties in this state and old Virginia are appealed to to enter their livestock, fancy work, farm products, fruits, and vegetables; all are urged to view the horse races, fireworks, shows, and the carnival. The carnival and shows will all be proper and high toned as far as a careful Christian censorship can make them.
The grandstand is almost ready for the roof; the water pipes are now being laid; and a catalog will be out within a week.
• August 13, 1921
“Ronceverte Day” at the Greenbrier Valley Fair has received official approval of the officers of the fair company, and Wednesday, August 24, will be just as great a day as the citizens of Ronceverte and their friends living in nearby counties can make it.
Gloth’s Greater Show will be the midway attraction August 22-26.
The Gloth’s shows will arrive on their own special train of 20 cars loaded with 15 highly restricted attractions and five of the newest and largest sensational riding devices in the world.
This show also carries its own concert band.
• August 27, 1921
The first Greenbrier Valley Fair opened in the blaze of light and pyrotechnic display presented by Paine’s Fireworks last Monday night. This display has been arranged on a scale as elaborate and beautiful as the displays shown at several of the great world expositions.
To add a thrill each afternoon and night, Billy Klein will high dive from a 100-foot ladder into a tank of water.
One of the most interesting of the commercial displays at the fair is the joint exhibit of H.H. Boyd, Delco light dealer, and W.C. Hamlett & Son, plumbers and sanitary contractors. This exhibit shows the “essentials of life, light, heat, and sanitation.”
Tuesday’s attendance probably totaled 7,000, with Wednesday’s exceeding every expectation with an outpouring of fully 12,000 for the day and an equal number possibly at night. Then Thursday’s attendance eclipsed that of Wednesday’s.
General C.C. Watts, one of the judges of the races, stated that he had attended the best known fairs in Kentucky and Virginia, and that none he ever attended surpassed in any quality this, the Greenbrier Valley Fair.
The correspondent of The Charleston Gazette pronounces the Greenbrier fair the best in the state.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.