WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – With the 18th annual Freshwater Folk Festival just around the corner, the event that draws hundreds each year once again hopes to engage, educate and entertain visitors of all ages. Live music will be center stage with Cody Wickline at 10 a.m., who many will remember as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice in 2015. “I am super excited to be playing for all the awesome folks down in White Sulphur Springs and can’t wait to meet y’all and be a part of such a great event,” Wickline says. “We’ll see y’all Saturday!” Each year, the festival welcomes a variety of talented musicians. At noon, guitarist Nick Pennington will take the stage followed by Terrance Zimmerman with his sounds of bluegrass at 2 p.m.
Between artist performances, the stage will also be host to live demonstrations. “The layout on the stage is going to be different this year,” says Larry Davis, President of Friends of the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery. “In the past, it was used exclusively for musicians. This year, we’re going to have exhibitors in between musical performances.” Among them, The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Southeastern Bee Association with Rick Forren, Longspur Tracking and Snakes of West Virginia with Roy Moose.
Another new feature for this year’s festival will be the much anticipated Touch-A-Truck, which is a hands-on family event that gives children the chance to interact with local heroes and their vehicles from the police department, rescue squad and fire department. In addition, Boone Tractor will be on hand with a special entry for future farmers.
Throughout the festival, there will be guided tours of the fish hatchery for those who want to get an in-depth look at the facility and what it means to aquatic life. In addition, educational exhibits will include fishing demonstrations, information on beehives and honey harvesting, artwork, astronomy and more. These exhibitors will be located in the big tent and the area around it, and many will also include hands-on activities for the children.
“Everyone will be quite stoked about the variety and quality of the presentations, exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities at the festival this year,” Larry Davis commented. “Andrew Phipps is an endangered species biologist at the hatchery who works primarily with freshwater mussels and the Big Sandy crayfish. He was the acting project leader for the hatchery during the spring, and has put together a mighty fine lineup for all that and the musical performances too,” Davis adds.
At some point during the festival, you may find yourself craving a quick lunch or dessert. Food trucks on hand will include The Taco Spot, Hungry Hutt, Smash Pots, Fairway Forks, Udderly Smooth Rolled Ice Cream, Serendipity, Nana’s Ice Cream, EM’s Cake Corner and Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice.
The Freshwater Folk Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free.
