What happens to the fireworks show at the State Fair of West Virginia with bad weather?

FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS) – What happens to the fireworks and rides at the State Fair when bad weather strikes?

Those are two questions that have been answered carefully by officials with The State Fair of West Virginia, National Weather Service, Homeland Security, and more.

Officials will resort to cancelling the fireworks show as a last resort but also want to ensure that the fantastic spectacle is safe for viewers to attend.

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“So, if there is lightning within 15 miles of the state fairgrounds, we get notification and we automatically shut down the rides and tell folks that lightning is in the area. For fireworks, of course, lightning is an issue, but rain is one of the main issues and the moisture content. So we have to look at all those factors just to make sure we’re setting off a good fireworks show and a safe one as well,” comments Kelly Collins, Chief Executive Officer at the State Fair of West Virginia.

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A PA system is used for severe weather instances to alert and allow folks to seek shelter in one of the buildings on the facility. The fireworks show is currently scheduled for 10:30 P.M. on Saturday, August 17, 2024!

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