CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. – The State Fair of Virginia returns for 10 days at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell.

The fair opens on Friday at 10 a.m

The fair’s executive director, Marlene Jolliffe, told CBS 6 this is her 35th career state fair.

“We have a legacy. We have had trade fair visitors for generations for whom this is a tradition, and they keep coming back,” remembers Jolliffe. “My grandchildren and my children grew up in the trade fair industry because of me.”

The State Fair of Virginia has been around since 1854 and Jolliffe said they have learned a lot since moving to Meadow Event Park in 2009.

Last year, it invited contractors to visit the fairgrounds to study its practices. She found virtually no problems, but did point out opportunities for improvement.

Emergency crews installed metal detectors and improved cameras.

A security team holds meetings prior to the fair throughout the year and provides safety briefings each morning the fair is in operation.

For security reasons, the fair is working with the Virginia State Police. VSP declined an interview on the matter.

Jolliffe said visitors can expect to see police officers in the park alongside RMC Events employees in yellow shirts.

These security plans follow 300 people being exiled from nearby King’s Dominion due to fighting. Group fights also occurred at the Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Chesterfield County fairs in the summer.

The community is sharing its voices after major confrontations disrupted community events and gatherings

“Of course I’m following it and paying attention, but we don’t start changing what has worked so well for us just because an incident happens somewhere else,” Jolliffe explained.

Since then, the fair has not changed its policies and there are no guidelines for accompanying persons.

Jolliffe described the ten fun-filled days as family-friendly, with dozens of school groups visiting during the day.

“We are secured and working with the Virginia State Police. They are one of our most important partners and they are here. They are in action. They are everywhere on the premises. “They park, they move people away from the roadway from the parking standpoint, but they are all over the main area of ​​the property and provide safety,” Jolliffe said.

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Highlights this year include new bathrooms built near the entrance.

After dealing with severe tropical storms for two years, crews erected a 17,000-square-foot tent with seating above their main stage.

New menu items include the Bacon-Wrapped “Big Fatty” Cinnamon Roll and the “Hurricane Fries” with macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and Yum Yum sauce.

The fair features a new “Fast Lane” wristband to skip ride lines, farm animal presentations for adults and youth, baking contests, musical performances, a roving piano, a magician and more.

“The nice thing about what we are doing with the fair is that we are not just about entertainment. “We’re also about farming things, gardening, competing, and that nice mix of things makes it a little easier to figure out how to program them,” Jolliffe said.

The event has a total regional economic impact of $41.5 million with 200,000 participants over ten days.

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