First ever Paw Paw Festival
Plans for the First Annual Paw Paw Festival are underway. The festival will take place the third weekend of September each year. The land adjacent the boat launch on Route 9 has been designated as the official festival grounds. Over the next year, the town hopes to make improvements to the property so that it will become a greater asset and can be utilized for many events by all.
This year's festival will take place September 13-16. Many activities are scheduled in the hopes of providing something for everyone. West Virginia Amusements will be providing a carnival throughout the festival and craft booths will be set up.
Friday music will be by Skull Drag, Band Reliant, High Frequency and Distemper rock-n-roll bands.
Covey Promotions will be putting on a wrestling extravaganza Friday night featuring the local Sgt. Cody McGraw & Jake "The Snake" Roberts in the feature tag-team match.
The first Paw Paw Festival Queen Beauty Pageant will be on main stage Saturday afternoon crowning three individuals to reign over the festival.
Saturday entertainment will be by Kate Evans, Joe Dirt & the Driftin Whistle Pigs and Tori Anderson & Possum Holler.
Live musical performances will be on main stage Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Saturday morning will begin with the first ever fireman's parade at 9 a.m. followed with a day of firemen competitions to determine who the ultimate fire company is.
A local jam session will take place on the side stage for musical talents to join together in an acoustical performance.
The sponsors of the festival will be recognized on main stage that afternoon and the Paw Paw Schools P.T.O. will be holding their annual auction on the side stage Saturday evening.
Plans are underway to provide fireworks Saturday night.
And what would be a Paw Paw Festival without pawpaws? Saturday afternoon is the time to display pawpaws. A contest will be held on main stage to determine the largest pawpaw, the tastiest pawpaw dish and the best decorated pawpaw. Registration for these contests will take place prior to the contest. Donations of pawpaw recipes are being sought to display during the festival.
Food for the event will be provided by area non-profit organizations.
It takes people to make things happen successfully. To volunteer to help make this festival the best it can be, call Town Hall and notify them when you would be available. Additional sponsors are still needed. Call Town Hall 947-7476, if interested.
Companies already donated include: Rubbermaid Commercial Products of Winchester, Office Equipment Services of Paw Paw, Scrap Bros. Inc. of Paw Paw and The Morgan County Commissioners, CNB Bank of Berkeley Springs, Bank of Romney, WV Air National Guard 167th Air Wing and Allegheny Power.
Registration forms for the various events, food vendors and additional information are available at Town Hall.
