Bob Anderson’s fruit cake was a blue ribbon winner.

A number of Putnam Countians made the two-hour drive to Lewisburg this month to show the works of their hands and the fruits of their labor in the West Virginia State Fair. Exhibitors included both individuals and 4-H youth. Some of the categories which were represented included cooking, vegetables, and textile arts, as well as 4-H projects.

Individual exhibitors included Bob Anderson of Hurricane with his fruitcake; Markus LeMasters of Hurricane with sweet potatoes and carrots; Melinda of Hurricane with her cross stitch pieces “Christmas Front Porch,” “Antique Vintage Kitchen,” “Christmas Nativity” and “Yellow Summer Things”; Terri Stricklen of Winfield with her cross stitch giraffe; Coni Mays of Scott Depot with her cross stitch piece “Busy Bee”; and Vera Grimsley of Winfield with her cross stitch sampler, autumn themed piece, and St. Patrick’s Day themed piece.

Ella Grant of the Midway Meridians 4-H Club won WV 4-H Projects Best of Show 2024 for Art Year 1 with her painting of a cow. Other 4-H exhibitors from Putnam County included Emma Frazier with the “WV Know Your State” project; Paisley Tabor with a quilting project; Kyleigh Pratt with a painting; Elliott Meadows with a tree identification book; Henry Criner with several drawings for “Exploring 4-H Year 1”; Ella Frazier with “Leadership Road Trip” portfolio; Jadyn Snodgrass with “Showmen’s Closet” portfolio; and Maddy Hubbard with Cooking 101 Year 1 project.

The West Virginia State Fair was held August 8-17, and featured the theme of “Mountain Memories.” This year marked the fair’s 99th year of operation.