Well, after a good night's sleep, we decided we would go to the WV State Folk Festival in Glenville after all, about an hour and a half away. After all, it only happens once a year, and we have missed it the last several years. There are many friends we don't usually see except there at the festival, and as we get older that face time seems more important than ever.
And what a good time it was! Beautiful drive across winding Route 33, and in town early enough to get breakfast at the Common Grounds restaurant, where we immediately ran into a half dozen friends. Then outside for a little browsing the crafts, and then the parade!
Glenville is a small town with a good, small university, in a not-very-populated county, but they sure pulled in people from all over West Virginia and out of state too. I don't remember a high school band ever being in the parade before, but the Gilmer County High marching band was there this year. Apparently they had one song ready--Mountain Dew-- but they played it faultlessly, several times.
Then there were the Belles. Each county selects one older woman to be their representative, and the ladies dress in period outfits. They are honored throughout the festival with various events. Most of them walked the parade route, which was only about 4 or 5 short blocks. Here is my friend Mack Samples' wife Thelma, representing Harrison County.
This year there was something new to us--young Belles!
There were also tiny tots representing some counties.
This festival almost died out about 15 years ago, but new ideas like this are bringing in more young people and that young blood is what is needed. The many young faces I saw attested to the success of efforts to bring youth into the festival.
I had a nice visit with a few storytelling and writer friends, then stopped into the country store, where I ran into Mack Samples, who has a new book out. A quick photo and a hug, and a book went into my bag.
More next time!
Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
Very interesting, nice... Sending the first Summer greeting and hug, Andreja!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea!
DeleteSounds like a fun day. Glad you decided to go
ReplyDeleteYes, I was glad too, Ann. It was touch and go!
DeleteSuch a wonderful event.
ReplyDeleteI like the small town-ness of it, AC, but also the focus on traditional Appalachian life and art.
DeleteLooks like a fun day. I have never been to the festival. Every time I think about Grenville, I think about getting carsick.😐 I do remember the Belles and it’s interesting that they have added young ones.
ReplyDeleteYes, Route 33 isn't for soft stomachs!
DeleteIn the 10 years my parents lived in Elkins, I never remember them saying anything about this festival.
ReplyDeleteThat is surprising, since it is a state event. But maybe your parents weren't into oldtime music and traditional crafts?
DeleteI'm glad they had nice blue skies for their parade!
ReplyDeleteYes! Many years the festival deals with rain!
DeleteOh, I'm envious! We used to have a fabulous folk festival here -- a week of every kind of folk music around (including international, not just American), craft demos, dance stages, kid areas. It was such fun. This looks fabulous and I'm so glad yours was saved.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Thst must have been fantastic! What a shame it ended.
DeleteYou know so many people! I have not been to anything like this in decades. It looks like a good time.
ReplyDeleteYears of storytelling, writing, and being an avid listener have blessed me with some wonderful friends, Sandra. I attended Allegheny Echoes for about 15 years, sometimes as the creative writing instructor. Echoes is a week of classes in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and other oldtime instruments in addition to the writing classes, so I gained many musical friends.
Delete...every festival needs a parade.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteOh gosh. That parade is just darling. Off to read about Mark Samples. Was he the funny storyteller,?
ReplyDeleteHey Debby, it's Mack Samples, not Mark. Did I do a typo? No surprise there! Mack still dances, plays fiddle in a band, grows a garden, and calls square dances...and he's 85!
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