MORGANTOWN — The 11th Annual West Virginia American Chestnut Festival is set for Sunday. Activities begin at noon and end at 7:30 p.m. Science plays a big role in the festival. Sustainability is another of the underlying concepts behind this festival, evident in recent American Chestnut plantings in Preston County and West Virginia.
The celebration begins in the Rowlesburg Park at the welcome table, where volunteers offer brochures, raw chestnuts, chestnut flour, chestnut specialties, books, festival booklets, banquet tickets and drawing tickets for an eagle carved out of chestnut wood by Walter Shaver.
The local economy gets a boost from a number of vendors in the park. Charles Wotring, carver, offers a variety of chestnut furniture. Stan Jennings will sell Treenware and special items made of chestnut. The public may purchase American chestnut tree plantings, roasted chestnuts and raw chestnuts to go.
From noon-2 p.m., The American Chestnut Foundation will hold the West Virginia chapter meeting on the third tier of the Szilagyi Center. Officers presiding include Mark Double, president; Robert Sypolt, vice president; Jeff Kochenderfer, secretary; and Sam Muncy, treasurer. The public is invited to attend.
A video documentary on the theme of the American Chestnut by Thomas Nassif will be available for viewing from 3-4 p.m., also on the third tier.
Scientific presentations will be held from 4-5 p.m. on the third tier. Jeffrey Skousen, WVU professor, will present a paper titled “Growth of American, Chinese and Hybrid Chestnut on Reclaimed Surface Mines.” Amy Metheny, graduate student at WVU, will present a talk titled “The Super Donor: Does Chestnut Blight Have a Kryptonite?”
The Chestnut Festival Gala Banquet will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with entertainment provided by the Preston High Madrigal Singers, directed by Deborah Westbrook, pianist. The Chestnut Vino Novello Ritual follows with Casa Marrara wine.
Don Kines and Sheryl Kines will be crowned as the 11th Mr. and Ms. Chestnut. Don planted his first American Chestnut trees in Barbour County in 1986, after reading an article on same and joined the American Chestnut Foundation in 1987.
Don and Sheryl are the owners of Mountain State Chestnuts in Barbour County, where they follow the American Chestnut tree breeding program designed by the American Chestnut Foundation.
This event will feature the crowning of Junior Prince and Junior Princess from Central Preston Middle School, in Kingwood. Both are chosen based on submission of an essay judged by Sandra Wales.
William MacDonald, professor emeritus at WVU, will present a talk titled “Can the American Chestnut be Saved?” The dinner menu will consist of Katie’s Green Salad, Roast Pork Loin with Joe’s Chestnut Stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, brussels sprouts and chestnut dessert. A silent auction, featuring chestnut items and West Virginia arts and crafts, will be held, along with a drawing of Walter Shaver’s eagle, made of chestnut.
Food will be available at the Rowlesburg Park concession stand. Have breakfast and lunch in the River City Café/Martha’s Kitchen. Visit the World War II Museum, the River View Arts Studio, the Preston County Sports Museum, the “B&O Centenary Railroad Bridge Exhibit,” “Preston County Arts Council Exhibit,” the Carolann Hooton Library, the Great Hall Picture Gallery, the Creative Arts Studio, the River City Café and Emporium, and the Community Quilters Room.
Info: Contact Shirley Hartley at 304-454-1240; Anna R. Nassif at 304-454-9786 or 608-255-6624. For vendor information, contact George Nassif at 304-454-9845.
