(DOSWELL, July 25, 2023)—You’ll need your favorite pair of boots to kick off the annual Black Tie & Boots fundraising gala at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22—opening night of the State Fair of Virginia.
The celebration will be an indoor-outdoor event at The Meadow Event Park’s Meadow Hall and lawn in Caroline County, with proceeds benefiting the State Fair of Virginia Scholarship program.
Gala-goers are welcome to explore the fairgrounds in their semi-formal attire, but leave the stilettos at home, advised The Meadow’s event planning and marketing assistant, Alexis Boyd.
The event will feature exclusive access to Meadow Hall, delectable bites by Mosaic Catering, desserts by Publix, an open bar featuring a signature cocktail, and a dance floor hopping with the modern-country sounds of Blair’s West Band. Virginia-grown oysters and an artfully carved fruit display will add to the ambiance.
Free premium parking will be available to Black Tie & Boots guests, with a shuttle for transportation to and from Meadow Hall.
“Ticket holders can expect a VIP experience during the opening night of the State Fair, starting with a red-carpet entry!” Boyd noted. “This VIP treatment will give you a different view of the fair.”
The event will include live and silent auctions of items donated by gala sponsors. The silent auction will take place 6-7:30 p.m. inside Meadow Hall. The live auction with dozens of unique items will begin at 8.
Since 2013, the fair has awarded 2,000 scholarships and has given over $700,000 to support youth education in agriculture. Last year’s fair offered more than $92,570 in scholarship funds through 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions as well as specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions.
Admission to Black Tie & Boots is by advance purchase only, and the event historically sells out.
Gala tickets can be purchased starting Aug. 1 at StateFairVa.org. Tickets are $125 per person through Aug. 20, and $150 per person Aug. 21 through Sept. 14.
Visit StateFairVa.org and click Attractions & Events for tickets and details on auction donations and gala sponsorships.
The 2023 State Fair of Virginia will run from Sept. 22 through Oct. 1. Information is available at StateFairVa.org.
The State Fair is held each fall at its permanent home at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County and attracts over 225,000 fairgoers. The event celebrates the best of Virginia’s past, present and future through scholarship initiatives, creative programming and a focus on the commonwealth’s agriculture and natural resources industries.
Contact Boyd at 804-994-2800 or Marlene Jolliffe, State Fair executive director, at 804-994-2802.