Rockingham County Fair names new general manager

A nationwide search for the new general manager of the Rockingham County Fair is complete. Pam Edwards, a native of Williamsburg, W.Va., has accepted the position and is looking to take over the helm on Jan. 1

Rockingham County Fair President Brian Carpenter said, “We are truly excited to be able to have Pam as our new manager. She is passionate about agriculture, family, and fairs and that is at the core of who we are.”

Edwards will replace Jeff Ishee, who decided to leave and return to broadcasting.

Edwards, a graduate of Marshall University, has served in management and communications roles for several non-profit organizations for over a decade. She spent nine years with the State Fair of West Virginia where her roles included public relations/marketing, orchestrating special projects, hiring entertainers, managing concessionaires, operating retail souvenir booths, staff and volunteer training, and off-season programming. She earned the title of Certified Fair Executive from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions in March 2007.

Pam said, “I am thrilled to be selected as the General Manager of this wonderful operation. I am impressed by the beauty, quality of the events, and the support the community has for the fairgrounds.”

The first Rockingham County Fair was held at the Linville Ball Park during the summer of 1949. The fair has been held at the present site on US Rt. 11 since 1980 and has been recognized nationally as the top agricultural Fair in the nation on numerous occasions. The fairgrounds account for 111 acres of land, a 21,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a large barn complex, numerous buildings for horticulture and poultry exhibits, and food booths run by local civic organizations. There is also a large grandstand area for events such as concerts, tractor pulls, and demolition derbies.

Deborah Shifflett, Vice President of the Fair Association said “Mrs. Edwards will be a wonderful asset to the Rockingham County  Fair Association and our community. We are looking forward to working with her as she continues to grow and improve our organization.”

Edwards will be moving to the area from Lexington, Ky., with her husband, Jim, and son, Jeff. Another son, Ben, will be staying in Kentucky to pursue a firefighter career.

The Rockingham County Fair Association is a non-profit organization that manages the Rockingham County Fair, Virginia’s premiere agricultural county fair.  The fairgrounds are used throughout the year for a variety of events including fundraising activities, livestock breed shows, trade shows, exhibitions and community events.