FAIRLEA -
Thousands of people have been flocking to Greenbrier County this week for the state fair and with thousands of people come even more thousands of dollars spent.
And much of that money is staying right here in southern West Virginia.
Haylee Shires said selling kettle corn at the fair allows her to participate in sports all year.
Shires said, "Travel softball and I do dance competitions and all that so I probably wouldn't be able to do it if we didn't have the money coming in from these stands."
Her parents operate the kettle corn stand at the fair and mom says selling more than 2,500 bags of corn each year is a lot of work.
Carmela Shires said, "There's a lot of fun in it too, at the time we're like 'ahhh!' But later it gives you something fun to talk about."
And it's a great learning experience for the kids.
Haylee Shires said, "I've been basically working the window since I was in kindergarten so it's helped my math with the money and stuff."
Three Little Pigs has been a local family operated vendor for almost 30 years at the fair.
They have since expanded the business.
Three Little Pigs sells their sauce statewide and offer a catering service, but the fair is where it all started.
Bobbie Hinkle said, "For us for the family it's been a really fun thing it really has, it kept us together and it started us with all the other businesses that we do."
For others, operating a food stand was initially a way to fund their later years in life.
Donna Simms said, "My husband decided that he wanted to do it when we retired, but we've been doing it five years and still haven't retired... but its a lot of fun."
Simms says she hopes to live out the dream someday soon.
She said, "We plan to vacation and to travel more than were doing right now."
And these aren't the only vendors, there are many more at the fair that are operated by local families.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVNS. All Rights Reserved.
