GREENBRIER COUNTY- For 63 years, Kenny Baker could count on spending part of his summer at the State Fair of West Virginia.
The fairgrounds became a second home, and the people who worked alongside him became an extended family. But this year, health problems forced Baker to miss the fair for the first time in more than six decades.
Baker underwent two procedures on his arm and spent time in three different hospitals. Although he had already completed much of the preparation for this year’s fair, his condition prevented him from being there when the gates opened.
“I had everything ready to go, but I didn’t make it,” Baker said. “I missed the people, and I missed the fair. I guess there comes a time when you have to give up a few things. You don’t like to, but you have to.”
His connection to the fair began when he was just 13 years old. Baker’s grandparents raised him, and he found his first fair job helping a woman sell hot dogs from one of the simple wooden booths used at the time.
From there, Baker worked a variety of jobs, including parking cars behind the cattle barns. Each new assignment brought additional responsibilities, and over the years, he worked his way into a supervisory role overseeing grounds control.
Eventually, Baker was responsible for hiring many of his own employees. He looked for people who were dependable, faithful, and willing to provide an honest day’s work.
Before every fair, Baker met with his crew to explain their responsibilities and discuss expectations for their appearance and conduct. He wanted every visitor to leave the fairgrounds with a positive experience and a desire to return the following year.
“I always wanted to make sure that when people left the fair, they left happy,” Baker said.
“Then they would want to come back again.”
Baker spent long days on the grounds, often arriving early in the morning and remaining until late at night. He regularly traveled through the fairgrounds on a golf cart, checking on his employees and making sure each area was properly staffed.
He said the fair’s success has always depended on cooperation among its workers, supervisors, board members and management.
“We all worked together,” Baker explained.
“That’s why everything worked.”
The relationships he developed became one of the most meaningful parts of his career. Following the announcement that he would not be returning to his longtime position, former employees described him as one of the best supervisors they had ever worked for.
Baker hopes they remember him as someone who treated people fairly, remained available when they needed help, and expected everyone to work together.
“I had some wonderful people work for me,” he said.
“Many of them came back year after year. They were very good people to work with.”
During his 63 years at the fair, Baker witnessed considerable changes to the grounds, attractions, and operation. Despite those changes, the excitement surrounding the annual event remained constant.
“It was something you always looked forward to every year,” Baker said. “The fair has been good to me.”
The extra income was especially helpful when Baker’s children were attending school and college, but the job ultimately became about much more than money. It provided him with decades of memories and allowed him to be part of an event he believes has a tremendous impact on Greenbrier County and the entire state of West Virginia.
Even while hospitalized, Baker was reminded of what he was missing. From his room, he could see the fair’s Ferris wheel glowing in the distance.
“There I was in the hospital, and the fair was going on,” Baker recalled.
“I could see that Ferris wheel all lit up. I will miss it.”
Although Baker is stepping away from the demanding responsibilities he once had each year, he does not intend to stop serving others.
A longtime pastor and auctioneer, Baker plans to continue both pursuits as his health allows. He said his arm is healing well, and he already has additional auctions scheduled. He was also previously recognized for his years of service as an auctioneer with induction into an auctioneer’s hall of fame.
His ministry, however, remains his greatest priority.
“As long as I’m able to stand up and preach, I want to be there,” Baker stated.
“That’s my goal, and my family comes next.”
Baker also hopes to return to the fair in the future—this time without the pressure of managing crews and solving problems from early morning until late at night. Instead, he would like to put on a white jacket, visit with old friends, and experience the event as a guest.
“It would be different to go down and just enjoy it. “I could look at it from a different angle for once instead of all the hustle and running,” he said.
While Baker may be partially retired, he said he will always be willing to offer advice or lend a hand when possible.
“If there is anything I can do, I’ll still help,” Baker said.
“I just can’t do what I’ve been doing.”
After more than six decades of service, Baker leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the work completed on the fairgrounds. It lives in the people he hired, the friendships he formed, and the countless visitors whose experiences were made better by his dedication.
“It’s been a great career,” Baker said with a smile.
“I loved it, and I still love it. I’ve had a great life there, and it was a pleasure to work there. I just want to spend whatever time I have left trying to help somebody else.”
