ROWLESBURG — The 13th Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival, celebrating the heritage, tradition and the restoration efforts of the giant hardwood tree that once dominated the hills of the 16 Appalachian states, returns Oct. 10 to Rowlesburg Park.
Attendees will be immersed in the sights, smells and tastes of chestnuts, “roasting over an open fire,” with vendors and artisans in the park and a host of activities. Along with chestnut mania, the beauty of autumn will be on display.
The festival honors the American Chestnut tree and recognizes research scientists dedicated to restoring the trees to their former glory in a woodland habitat.
For early-comers, the festival kicks off at 9 a.m. with a full breakfast in the River City Café, in the Szilagyi Center (donation requested) next to the park festivities. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Festival Director Robert Sypolt and the West Virginia Chapter President Mark Double. The River City Café will be open all day, serving lunch, desserts, coffee and tea.
Park activities, on the scenic bank of the Cheat River, begin at 10 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Activities include the sampling and/or purchasing of roasted chestnuts; chestnut vendors and other vendors selling their crafts and wares; purchasing of various chestnut seedlings for planting; and networking with chestnut researchers. Food and beverages will be available at the park concession stand, including roast beef sandwiches.
Activities for children include a climbing wall, compliments of Camp Dawson National Guard, and an exhibit from the Avian Conservation Center displaying birds, hawks and owls. Other activities will feature face-painting and exhibits of interest to children.
More activities will take place in the nearby Szilagyi Creative Arts Center. The public is invited to attend the West Virginia chapter meeting from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in a room on the second floor. Mark Double, president, and Don Kines, vice president, will preside.
Always well attended by the public, the Scientific Session, held from 3-4:30 p.m., will feature speakers and will be hosted by Double, research associate emeritus at West Virginia University.
Szilagyi Center exhibits include the World War II Museum, featuring life-size mannequins in period dress, the historic Centenary (1827-1927) Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridges Exhibit, the Preston County Sports Museum, and the Emporium Collectables.
The featured Gala Chestnut Dinner is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Szilagyi Center. The opening of the gala banquet features the Madrigal Singers, in period dress, from Preston High School, directed by Deborah Westbrook. Festivities include a featured speaker and the crowning of chestnut royalty, Mr. Chestnut and Ms. Chestnut, Jeff and Erica Kochenderfer.
The festival is hosted by the West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee the Tourism Commission and the Town of Rowlesburg.
For vendor space, email George at nassifgs@hotmail.com or call 703-300-2554. For information and/or to reserve banquet dinner tickets ($17 per person), contact Shirley Hartley-Meissner, 304-698-5305 or Shirley.bob@hotmail.com; Robert Sypolt, 304-329-3826 or robertsypolt@hotmail.com; Joseph Nassif, njn3@msn.com; Anna Nassif, 304-454-9786 or annarnas@aol.com.
Visit one of the festival’s websites at www.wvchest nutfestival.com, www.row lesburg.info; www.rowles burg.org; www.rowlesburg guide.com; or www.acf.org.
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