The Rupert Area Improvement Council (RAIC) is hosting a Spring Fling fundraiser this weekend. Proceeds from the event will support the Rupert Community Center. In the past, the annual event was held the first week in September. This year, the RAIC received a grant from the WV Festival Commission to support its fundraising efforts.
To qualify for the grant, the funds had to be spent by June of this year. Organizers hope the Rupert Spring Fling will be as well received by the community as its annual fall fundraisers have been.
There’s already a lot of interest, according to event coordinator Sandi Davison, “We weren’t able to do anything for a couple of years because of the COVID pandemic, so I think people are looking forward to having fun together, and we’re excited to share all the improvements we’ve made to the Rupert Community Center with the public too.”
The event promises to have something for everyone. Pam Edens, local resident and in-town doctor, will be the grand marshal of the parade, honoring first responders and medical personnel. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and travels through downtown Rupert. Afterward, a variety of children and adult activities will take place in the parking of the Rupert Community Center. Inside, local artists will have booths set up selling handmade arts and crafts.
Come hungry, because a variety of food trucks will line the streets and the Rupert Women’s Club will sell hot dogs and sloppy Joes from the kitchen of the Rupert Community Center. The School of Osteopathic Medicine WV mobile clinic will also be there providing free COVID testing and a variety of wellness screening tests.
The festival ends with a charity dinner at the church. Diners can choose to eat there or take it home to enjoy. Tickets are on sale now for several prize drawings that will take place on Sunday at 4 p.m., including a handmade, quilt and $500 gift card to Parks Sporting Goods in Rainelle. Tickets can be purchased at the community building, six for $5, or $1 a piece.
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