One of the things I love about living, working, and playing in West Virginia – perhaps my most favorite thing – is how well the people here have preserved their truly unique heritage and how joyously and proudly they celebrate it, from canning to dancing to music-making. There is an authenticity and genuine “American-ness” in this state that I do not think is such a common place in our country anymore (though maybe that is just my opinion). I happen to be lucky enough to live in Pocahontas County, where there is a plethora of festivals celebrating all of this, like The Great Greenbrier River Race, Pioneer Days, Huntersville Tradition Days, the nationally and internationally renowned Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce’s Autumn Harvest Festival and West Viriginia Roadkill Cook-off, and, now, The Pocahontas County Artisans Co-op’s Appalachian Street Jubilee.

This is the Appalachian Street Jubilee’s first year, and, as I mentioned before, it is being put on by The Pocahontas County Artisans Co-op located on 4th Avenue in Marlinton, WV. (The rain venue will be The Pocahontas County Opera House, also in Marlinton.) The event takes place over Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 25th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be a fun-filled day consisting of arts and crafts demonstrations as well as “make and take” activities for all ages. You will be able to enjoy kettle corn or a maple syrup ice cream sundae while listening to local musicians Bill Hefner and Paul Bennett. There will also be a learn-as-you-go square dance at 4:30 p.m. with Juanita Fireball and the Continental Drifters.
Demonstrations will include plein air painting with Cyla Allison, Jim Gerkin and Ed Stone; pottery with Allison Flegel and Eric Stahl; woodworking with Eddie Fletcher; basket making with Cheryl Beverage; and 19th Century Photography with Drew Tanner of Drew Tanner Photography.

“Make and Take” activities will include jewelry with Elizabeth Lockman; quilt squares with Marilyn Barton and Jane Beverage; toy making with Hannah Mitchell; nature crafts with co-op Member Janet Hunt; stitching yo-yos with co-op Member Brenda Ferguson; candle wicking with co-op Member Kathleen Henry; and broom making with Pocahontas County’s premier broom squire, Brenda Harman. “Make and Take” sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., as well as afternoon sessions at 1:00 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

It wouldn’t be a Pocahontas County event without a raffle. The following local merchants have graciously contributed the following items to the Appalachian Street Jubilee raffle: a cutting board by Lewis Sharp from the Pocahontas Old Times Office Museum and Shop, a certificate for an ice cream cake at the Marlinton Dairy Queen, a $10.00 gift certificate toward dinner at Locust Hill Bed and Breakfast, a wooden patriotic crow, created by member Brenda Ferguson, and many more terrific one-of-a-kind items handmade by their artisans, all up for grabs! You can buy tickets to the raffle at the 4th Avenue Gallery any day, or by giving them a call at (304) 799-2550. There are many, many chances to win!

This is hands-down the best Memorial Day Weekend event around. I wouldn’t miss it.

– Michelle Evans, LBSPY 34 (May 20-June3)