Preparations underway for Putnam County Fair

ELEANOR, W.Va. (WCHS) — The Putnam County Fair is set to kick off Friday, and preparations are underway ahead of the big event.

The fair has been an annual event for a little more than four decades, according to vice president of the Putnam County Fair, Andrew Parsons.

"I keep coming back for the nice people and the area that's here," saidDiamond Jim, owner of Diamond Jim's Old Time Photos.

Jim said he's been coming to the Putnam County Fair for the last six to seven years as he travels the country with an old-time photo booth.

"I've got 175 costumes I can dress them [fairgoers] up however they want to be dressed up," he said. "I've got everything from Civil War, back in the 1800's, to cowboys in the western, saloon girls, fancy ladies, the whole nine-yards."

Jim is not the only vendor -- there's several to choose from, aside from the rides, animals and entertainment.

"We try really hard to have something going on on every square inch of the grounds and the whole time that we're open," Parsons said.

Parsons told Eyewitness News set-up started Monday. With the heat expected this weekend, he said there's fans in the barn area as well as extra fans to try to keep things cool.

"We have an entertainment area that has fans inside of it - so there's going to be places to go - but unfortunately it's an outdoor event, so it's kind of,kind of have to play it smart stay hydrated and do the best we can," Parsons said.

Eyewitness News also learned from board of directors David Bailey there will also be an office building on location that will have air conditioning for those who need a break of have heat related illnesses, there are a few outhouses that have air conditioning and CAMC will have a mobile hospital to help with people who might have heat related illnesses.

While the fairgrounds are currently quiet Wednesday, Eyewitness News learned that will change over the next several days with about 25,000 people expected to come to the fairgrounds, and is also expected to help local business.

"I think it brings in a lot of people in you that don't always see during the summertime," Barry Clendenin, who manages a family-owned business, said.

Clendenin's family owns the local Dairy Queen in town and said the uptick in foot traffic really helps the area.

"I think it brings in people that gives the local businesses here a chance to see different people and maybe actually get return customers that don't know that we're here," he said.

The fair kicks off Friday and will wrap up the following Saturday, July 20.