Visitors to the State Fair of Virginia are saying goodbye today to the place that hosted the event for 52 years.

Some promised to continue the tradition of visiting the fair as it moves from the Richmond Raceway Complex in eastern Henrico County to Caroline County next year.

"The kids really love the rides and they like to see the animals," said Henrico resident Marcos Castillo, who brought his wife and two children to the Fair.

The Fair experience will bring them back next year, even if it means driving a few more miles, he said.

The State Fair is moving to Meadow Event Park, near Kings Dominion on Route 30.

"It's worth the drive," said Castillo, as his 8-year-old daughter, Martha, attentively watched chicks emerge from their eggs. "We will probably spend a little more in gas, but it is no big deal."

The new location, at a much more rural site than the Raceway Complex, is expected to increase the number of visitors, particularly from Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg. This year, about 250,000 visitors came to the fair, organizers said.

Janet Witherspoon, who lives in Ashland and has been going the Fair for years, said the new location about 5 minutes from her house, will be more convenient for her and her family.

"People from down here might not like it, but it is going to be closer for us," she said, as she enjoyed a funnel cake with her two teen sons who were taking a break from the rides.

"We come here every year to enjoy the food," she said, smiling.

The 11-day event ends at 11 p.m. tonight.

"We have had great weather today. We have had a great experience here," said Windy Campbell, the state fair's spokeswoman. "We are even more excited about next year."

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or llazo@timesdispatch.com.