
DATE: Wednesday, April 2, 1997              TAG: 9704020477

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TONI GUAGENTI 

        STAFF WRITER  

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   81 lines

VIRGINIA BEACH CROWS ABOUT CHANCE TO HOLD STATE'S REGIONAL FAIR

Forget about how the people reacted to the news that Virginia Beach will host one of the state's new regional fairs.

Think about the animals, perhaps future participants in the event.

The hen laid an egg. The rooster crowed in excitement. The mallard quacked if you got a little too close. And the lamb . . . well, we won't say what the lamb did.

The animals served as living props Tuesday for the announcement that the producers of the state fair in Richmond will hold a regional fair Aug. 1 through 10 at Camp Pendleton, just south of Virginia Beach's resort area.

``We're thrilled that Virginia Beach has been selected to host this regional fair,'' crowed Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf in City Council chambers, which had been transformed into a barnyard. ``The fair will actually benefit youth in our community.''

It will emphasize what Virginia Beach is about: ``families, decency and agriculture,'' Oberndorf said, standing next to bales of straw on which sat the rooster, the hen and the mallard in separate crates. The lamb stood on a blue tarp, for good reason, in front of the mayor.

Organizers said Tuesday that they're trying to bring a slice of the state fair to other Virginia regions because many people don't have the opportunity to attend the statewide event each fall in Richmond.

``Fair at the Beach,'' as the regional effort is called, will offer educational and agricultural programs and demonstrations, live entertainment, games and a midway with rides and plenty of food.

The Hampton Roads event is one of two regional fairs statewide that will become annual events. The other fair will debut next month in Lynchburg.

Local 4-Hers passed out cotton candy and candied apples Tuesday to whet the audience's appetite.

People of all ages will be able to participate in many different competitions, although details of the event still are being ironed out.

Proceeds from the fair will go toward educational scholarships for the state's youth, said Otis L. Brown, president of Atlantic Rural Exposition Inc. of Virginia, which produces the state fair.

The private, nonprofit organization focuses on youth education, agriculture and commerce.

Over the next five years, the group hopes to contribute more than $500,000 in scholarships throughout the commonwealth, Brown said.

Louis Cullipher, director of the Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture, said the regional fair's theme will be about education, not just about the carnival atmosphere.

He said he hopes people of all ages will learn something about where food comes from.

``Most people are a generation removed from the farm,'' Cullipher said. ``Most people think food is manufactured in the back of (a grocery store).''

Laura Beltz, coordinator for the Virginia Beach 4-H Livestock Club, said the ``Fair at the Beach'' will include local children who can't make it to the state fair.

``Richmond is so far away for the kids,'' she said. ``You're not going to put pigs on the back of a pickup truck and go to Richmond.''

Somebody, though, was able to transport the animals to Tuesday's press conference.

The rooster stole the show.

As the mayor thanked those responsible for bringing the regional fair to Virginia Beach, the rooster decided he couldn't stand idly by.

``Cock-a-doodle-doo,'' he called.

``I thought they only did that at dawn,'' Oberndorf said.

``My brother-in-law,'' joked Kieth T. Hessey, the state fair's general manager, as he walked to the podium only to be interrupted by the rooster.

``We think the concept is right,'' Hessey said. ``We hope we can serve your community, your young people.'' ILLUSTRATION: D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/The Virginian-Pilot

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf leads a lamb into the City

Council chambers before a press conference announcing plans for the

regional state fair Aug. 1-10 at Camp Pendleton.

STATE FAIR SITES

May 22-26: ``Fair on the James'' in Lynchburg

Aug. 1-10: ``Fair at the Beach'' in Virginia Beach

Sept. 25-Oct. 5: Virginia State Fair in Richmond

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