Last week’s post showed an early black and white photograph of the Botetourt County Fairgrounds. This striking oil painting shows the same grandstand in 1975. It is titled “Old Grandstand with Cows” and was painted by Charlottesville artist Gwen Cates. She studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University and later graduated with honors from Hollins University. She has had art exhibits in Britain, Italy and the U.S. Her painting measures 30×24 inches and was donated to the BCHS Museum in 2017 by Kate Bullock, John and Jeane Lucas. Today only the display building stands on Promise Land Farm. The owners, Bill and Lou Slusser, told Marcia Westerman Neighbors that Bill’s brother, Gil Slusser, directed the town band on race days. Also, one of the former jockeys is buried on their farm at his request. The 2022 Botetourt Fair will be held August 5-6 on the Buchanan Carnival Grounds.
