COURTLAND, Va. (WAVY) — Looking for plans this weekend? Head to the Southampton County Fairgrounds for a Haunted Barn & Hayride.

You may recall the grounds there were heavily damaged by an August storm. This is the first big event since then.

Board members say they are excited to start welcoming residents back.

“This place is my second home. My wife says it’s my first home, but I’m here every day,” Southampton County Fair President Glenn Joyner said.

Glenn Joyner is president of the Southampton County Fair, and he says things have been all but easy after straight-line winds damaged the fairgrounds in August. Since then, the board, volunteers and sponsors have helped start the road to recovery, which is making significant progress.

“I didn’t think we’d get it back this quick but again we did it,” Joyner said.

Due to the resilient community’s involvement, plenty of progress has been made including buildings being fixed and the grounds getting clear of debris.

“The outpouring of help from the community has been amazing for lack of the better word and they always help us out and we do this because we believe in our fair and we believe in giving back to our community,” Cecil Edwards, incoming Vice President of the Southampton County Fair board said.

While the annual fair didn’t happen this year, there is one tradition returning: the Haunted Hayride & Barn.

“We have a lot of good quality scarers; some of your favorite people, Freddy Kreuger, Michael Myers, everybody else you want to think of. Might even be a few surprises in there,” Edwards said.


The Haunted Hayride & Barn will take place at 25374 New Market Road in Courtland on Oct. 26, Oct. 31, and Nov. 1 from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Tickets are $8. There will also be concessions available for purchase. All proceeds will pour right back into the community and into the 2025 Southampton County Fair, which board members say will take place on Aug. 6-9, 2025.

Board members hope you’ll pay them a visit for a good fright, all while supporting a great cause.

For more information on the Haunted Hay ride and Barn, click here.