OUR HISTORY - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Entertainment Center of the Valley, yes that was the dream of a group of farmers, business leaders and other community minded citizens when they started efforts toward the establishment of Augusta Expoland. Through local Ruritian clubs and this group of citizens looking for a place to hold a County Fair and holding other community supporting events Augusta Expoland became a reality in 1969. Over the years Augusta Expoland, now with the more frequently used name Expo, has continued to grow and bring with it many changes.

Established as a non-profit organization Expo dependends on private donations, government grants, private grants, member dues, support from public events and from its invaluable volunteers. Without volunteer support Expo could not have existed over the years. As a non-profit organization it is not owned by the city, county, state or an individual.

The Augusta County Fair was held by Expo for 23 years. After some years the fair fell on hard times and again it was up to a group of volunteers that helped bring it back to where it is today. A committe was formed and the Augusta Fair itself became a non-profit organization operating under 501C guidelines. Today, and becoming more sucessfull each year, the fair is still held at Expo. Expo leases the entire facilities to the Fair for $1.00 plus expenses. As the fair becomes more successfull it has helped Expo with some improvements to the facility. Just this spring (2008) they were a major factor in installing 9600 lineal feet of fencing to help with various events.

Expo Hall was the first pernament building to be constructed. That project was completed in 1972. Expo Hall, with 21,600 sq. ft. of floor space, has become the focal point of the facility and was the beginning of the many changes that have taken place at Expo since then.

In 1979 the Dick Coffey Pavilion was built for housing livestock shows and auctions. Shortly thereafter two Pole Barns connecting to the Pavilion were constructed.

The next major addition came with the construction a 6,000 sq. ft. structure tied to Expo Hall. That unit is now called the Beam Annex. After that came a 12,000 sq. ft exposition hall building located next the Dick Coffey Pavilion. That building is now referred to as the Multipurpose Building.

Meeting the needs of the large Virginia Farm Show and also improving facilities for other existing and future shows another 12,000 sq. ft. was added on the left side of Expo Hall. Not yet named that unit is still referred to as the New Addition.

During the progress made on structures at Expo a Horse Show Ring was built, and a Monster Truck, and Tractor Pull Track was put in, adding further to existing facilities and making it possible for other events.

Now that most major events are covered with the needed facilities Expo has embarked on needed upgrades with the ageing center. As shown in the below picture of a ribbon cutting cermony in Expo Hall ladies bathroom a much needed upgrade was completed in 2007. Another needed upgrade was the installation of air conditioning in the Expo Hall complex, which just turned on in June of this year. A total of 39,600 sq. ft. is now air conditioned. Upgrades will continue to be planned and done as funds permit further enhancing the Entertainment Center of the Shenandoah Valley.