'Rockingham County Fair Selected as site for Virginia Cattlemen's Association in 2014; Annual event leaves Roanoke for Harrisonburg'

'Rockingham County Fair Selected as site for Virginia Cattleman's Association in 2014; Annual event leaves Roanoke for Harrisonburg'
http://www.rockinghamcountyfair.com/news_releases.html

What? So big picture-wise, the Rockingham County Fair will now be home to the VACA 2014 Show. Before, the VCIC, VACA, and VCCP shows and conventions were held in Roanoke for 5 years, and for 30 years previously in Bath County at the Homestead Resort. These locations worked logistically for 35 years, but hotels make little sense when you are talking about beef cattle. It is certainly better for the conventions' reputation to be held in a famous agricultural area that is simultaneously one of the top beef producers in Virginia.
So What? This is a big deal because it will attract thousands to the Shenandoah Valley in the spring of 2014, and will boost our economy here. Since we are a very rural region, and have only a few major cities, like Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Staunton and Winchester, much of our economy was centered around agriculture until the Shenandoah National Park was created in 1935; after this it became increasingly centered around tourism. In present times, tourism has skyrocketed. However, as tourism increases, the valley's focus on Agriculture, high as it may be, decreases.
Now What? Some things to keep in mind with this are;

1. Increased Tourism in the Shenandoah Valley in spring 2014
2. Increased interest in Agriculture
3. 1&2 will boost the local economy
4. Rockingham County, already a widely renowned area, due to the Rockingham County Fair, will become recognized as the top show cattle producers in VA.
5. FFA and 4-H chapters in Rockingham County will have amazing opportunities in the spring, and in the future. 

The relocation of VACA is more than just moving a show to a more rural area. VACA is recognizing Rockingham County as the forerunner in the state beef producing game. This may not seem like something to be concerned about for non-farming families and non-showing families. Take my word for it, this is a big change for Rockingham County's educational agricultural programs. This is a big step forward for the Fairgrounds and the Shenandoah Valley. 

I don't want to step on anybody's toes here, but Rockingham County has one of the most successful annual fairs and livestock shows in the entire state, and maybe even on the entire East Coast. But this is big news even for Page, Shenandoah, Augusta and Rockbridge counties, to name a few. Travel and tourism in the Shenandoah valley will skyrocket, and this will affect every single person in the Shenandoah Valley