Farm Bureau to partner with new Va. fair owner

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation says it has entered into a formal partnership with the new owner of the State Fair of Virginia to develop the agricultural component of the annual exposition.

The new partnership announced Friday is called Commonwealth Fairs and Events LLC. It marries the state's largest farm lobby with Universal Fairs LLC of Cordova, Tenn.

Universal purchased the 331-acre Caroline County property from the debt-ridden operator of the state fair this spring. Universal events include large fairs in Tennessee, Georgia and the state of Washington, among other events.

Specifics of the partnership were not outlined in a news release from the Farm Bureau.

The partnership will debut the Virginia State Fair from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.