Folks in Monroe County are getting excited about the upcoming Autumn Harvest Festival, slated for Saturday, September 28 and Sunday the 29th.  Located at the WVU Demonstration Farm on Willow Bend Rd, just a few miles south of Union, this annual event is a celebration of life in rural, scenic Monroe County. It showcases the agrarian lifestyle and heritage of the county and is sponsored by the WVU Extension Service.

This year’s festival features live entertainment, plentiful nosh, activities, a Vegetable Show, Flower Show, Art Show, Quilt Show, Craft Show, a Public Service Tent, Flea Market, Kiddie Pedal Pull, Tractor Show, and Horseshoe Tournament. The ever-popular Cookie Stacking Contest is a favorite for the kids. There’s also a Hay Bale Tossing Contest, and Com Hole Tournament, which is fun for all ages. An Antique Tractor Show will feature people’s choice awards. The Artisan Barn features craftsman at work on their wares and an old-fashioned mill will be grinding corn, with stone-ground meal and grits offered for sale. Making a return will be Civil War Re-Enactors and free Face Painting. New features include the Kiddie Craft Corner and the Fire Safety Bouncy House, courtesy of the Ballard Fire Department.

On Sunday the 29th, the Gospel Sing will be the featured entertainment, and an old- fashioned Sunday Dinner will be available on the grounds. All the exhibits will be open as well.

There is no admission fee and all activities and shows are free to the public. Festivities kicks off at 9am on Saturday, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for 10am, and runs through Sunday beginning at 12:30pm. For more information about the Festival, call Shane Clarkson at (304) 772-5475.

– HashtagWV #117. September 2019