Road Bowling To Take Place At The Fair

On Saturday, August 24, the fair will open with the traditional Irish Road Bowling. Registration for will begin in the park area at 12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. ,Irish Road Bowling will begin and proceed away from the park along the Point Pleasant Road.

Some of the best players of this ancient sport in the USA are from West Virginia. Irish Road Bowling dates back to 1689 in Ireland, making it one of the oldest sports in the world. Throws on a narrow country road can roll 250 or even 300 yards, the length of three football fields. The road bowling tradition at the Barbour County Fair is more than 12 years old.   

All are invited to travel to East Durham, New York, on August 2, 3, 4, 2024, for the national championship, to support the West Virginia team. They will be playing against the New York City and Boston clubs. Spectators walk with the players, over a one to one and a quarter mile course. 

The same day, at 6 p.m. the Miss Barbour County Pageant will be the official Fair Opening on stage at the John Loyd Entertainment Center.