by Lisa Schauer
West Virginia’s third annual Paw Paw Festival will be held at Paw Paw Schools campus on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Event organizers suggest getting there early, as parking fills up fast.
Highlights include paw paw fruit tastings, educational seminars, live music, food trucks, and craft vendors.
Last year, demand for paw paws was so strong volunteers ran out of the fruit for tastings. Paw paw saplings were also selling out.
For the first time this year, paw paw tasting tickets are now on sale in advance for $4 each. A sampling of paw paw varieties is included in the tasting.
Started by a group of local volunteers in 2024, the Paw Paw Festival was a hit from the start.
Groups of tourists and a bus shuttle from a neighboring county have helped pack the festival’s attendance.
North America’s largest native fruit is having a moment among a growing number of paw paw aficionados.
Guest speaker this year is researcher Neal Peterson, owner of Peterson’s Paw Paws of Harper’s Ferry.
Peterson focuses on breeding, rather than selling, new varieties of paw paw trees.
Todd McCree of Great Escape Farms in Romney will present on the world of paw paws and other edible plants.
Nine other experts in conservation and agriculture will also speak throughout the day.
Paw Paw Area Community Choir will perform at 10:30 a.m.
Appalachian musicians Ben Townsend of Romney and TJ Simpson of Keyser will also entertain.
Paw Paw High School senior Matthew Abrell will play his guitar at the Paw Paw Festival.
Thirteen food truck vendors will be serving festival food on site.
Demonstrations, information booths, and 22 merchandise vendors will also be set up.
For more information about the Paw Paw Festival, or to purchase paw paw tasting tickets, go to pawpawfestivalwv.com.
