For nearly four decades, Frankford Autumnfest has been a place to laugh, connect, and create lasting memories. This September 27, the festival moves to the Greenbrier County Youth Camp, offering wide open spaces and shady trees for arts and crafts, line dancing, parades, and family fun. Autumn in Frankford isn’t just a season. It’s a tradition.
A Change of Scenery for an Old Favorite
Due to renovations at Frankford Elementary School, where Autumnfest has traditionally been held, the festival is moving to the Greenbrier Youth Camp. The new setting is a natural fit, offering plenty of space and a sense of nostalgia for many who grew up attending camps, reunions, and dinners there. “The facility is so relaxing and welcoming, with large spaces, plenty of nature to enjoy, plenty of room for all of our activities, and many of our attendees have attended camps there in the past or attended large dinners, etc. It is a staple of the community,” says Festival Chair Kim Snedegar.
Traditions That Never Fade
Whether you’re grabbing a stack of buckwheat pancakes at Frankford Presbyterian Church from 7 to 10 a.m. or hitting the ground running in the 5K that starts at 7 a.m., the fun doesn’t stop. This year, both the 5K and the parade will take place at the Youth Camp, keeping everything in one spot so families can enjoy the day without moving their vehicles.
Throughout the festival, the grounds buzz with activity: arts and crafts vendors, food concessions, games, live entertainment, and the ever-popular car show. A fan favorite, the decorated pumpkin contest, returns as well. Kim notes, “The time and imagination that goes into these creations is amazing. Check out our Facebook page for some pictures of past entries. They are simply mind-blowing!”
A Taste of Autumn
Food lovers will find plenty to savor. Concessions are run by local organizations, clubs, and churches, with care taken to ensure variety. “We do, however, try our best to eliminate duplicate items for sale, with the exception of the baked goods, because, can you really ever have too many sweets? But we do try to only have one vendor selling each type of food, such as BBQ, hot dogs, burgers, walking tacos, etc. So, if you or any group or organization is interested in participating, contact us as soon as possible to secure the item you would like to sell. We always need more food, and having events until 9 p.m. this year, we will definitely need more later in the evening,” Kim explains.
Music and Movement
New this year is a line dancing class from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and a returning tradition sure to please: an evening band performance. “We are happy to announce that we will have Buddy Allen and the Cheat River Band from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.,” Kim says.
Heart and Soul of the Festival
At its core, Autumnfest is more than a schedule of events. Friday night’s crowning of the Autumnfest king and queen, marked by the ringing of the bell tower bell, sets the tone for a weekend of laughter, stories, and connection. The festival often doubles as a reunion, drawing alumni of Frankford High School back home to swap stories and rekindle friendships.
Behind it all is a team of dedicated volunteers who begin planning the next Autumnfest before the current one even ends. “We start taking notes, listening to suggestions and requests, and looking for ways to better the event as soon as our feet hit the ground on Autumnfest day,” Kim says.
With its mix of Appalachian tradition, small town heart, and wide open hospitality, Frankford Autumnfest has become a touchstone for the community. As Kim puts it, “Our event is family friendly with something for everyone of all ages. If you leave there feeling anything less than a warm, cozy, loving feeling, then we have failed you. We want everyone to come and spend the entire day with us. It is such a beautiful location and we have lots to share and memories to make!”
So mark your calendars and bring the whole family. From sunrise pancakes to nighttime music, Autumnfest promises a full day of food, fun, and fellowship. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, bug spray, allergy medicines, and a sweet tooth, because this fall tradition is meant to be savored.
For more details, visit the Frankford Autumnfest Facebook page or reach out to Kim at kim.snedegar@gmail.com or 304-646-2874. Volunteers, performers, and vendors are always welcome. As Kim says, “We are always looking for committee members, as the more the merrier! And we can never have too many vendors, be it food, arts, crafts, vehicles, whatever!”
Grab your friends, pack your chair, and step into a day where fall comes alive. Autumnfest in Frankford is where tradition, community, and memories meet.
