BELINGTON, W.Va. (WV News) — The return of the county fair after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 is a “big deal” for Barbour County, bringing back a sense of excitement and a symbol of the community.

“Because we’re in a rural area, we don’t have a lot of activities going on that folks can go to,” said Debbie Schoonover, Barbour County Fair president. “But the county fair has always been a place of reunion, whether it’s family, friends, whatever.