Alderson, W.Va. (WVDN) – Excitement is beginning to build for the Appalachian Harvest Festival in Alderson from 10-4 on Saturday, October 3. This event continues the tradition of Alderson’s Fall Festival and is sponsored by Alderson Main Street and the Town of Alderson. Co-chaired by Scott and Brenda Abbott and George and Sherry Kusner (who is also the vendor coordinator), this new take on a familiar event is really shaping up.
This year the emphasis is on family with a host of new family activities that are free for the younger set. Games such as “Hay There” (pin the face on the scarecrow); “Pumpkin Hoop” (using hula hoops to encircle pumpkins); “Fill the Pantry”, “Feed the Lion”, and “Pumpkin Toss”, all bean bag toss games; “Bait Shop”, “Fishing Hole”, and “Duck Pond”, all fishing type games; “Grasshopper Races”; “Pumpkin Bowling”; and more! There will be small prizes.
For teens and adults, Wild and Untamed Things is sponsoring an apple launching game! Tickets will be required for this event where the participant launches an apple at a target in the river. Imagine a sling-shot like device with an apple and a target bouncing around in the current of the river. Sounds like a recipe for fun! Prizes will be awarded!
The traditional activities will return including great vendors on the Alderson Memorial Bridge and Food Trucks along Railroad Avenue as well as at the Community Market Pavilion. Restaurants such as The Big Wheel and Fruits of Labor will be open, likely with special menus. Music will be heard throughout the festival area, thanks to financial support from the Greenbrier County Commission Arts and Recreation grant program. This year Group Therapy and Country Blue will be featured. Country Blue, playing from 10-12, will fill the air with eclectic sounds including blues, folk and southern rock. Group Therapy, playing from 1-3, bills itself as a retro rock, pop, variety, and dance group. They seek to create moments where people connect to rhythm, memory and to each other through music and dance.
As always, the folks who have adopted a lamp post will go all out with their fall decorations. Their creativity knows no bounds and it is early enough for visitors to get ideas for personal home decorating as well as decorative items from the vendors.
Alderson Main Street President Don Sutherland said, “We are so excited about the Appalachian Harvest Festival this year and the emphasis on family activities. Thanks to some great sponsors, these are free for the kids and there will be small prizes. Come join us in Alderson on Saturday, October 3 from 10-4 for a day of family fun!”
