By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
DAVIS – In less than a month the crispness of fall will be in the air and tourists and visitors will be flocking to the area to catch a glimpse of the beautiful colors and shades of fall as we begin celebrating the 28th Annual Leaf Peepers Festival Sept. 23 to 25. sponsored by the Tucker County Alpine Festival. Events include the Tucker Community Foundation Run for It race, a car show, parade, inflatable amusements, music, a golf tournament, Oktoberfest, crafts and foods fair and the 4th annual talent show.
Tucker County Alpine Festival representative Angie Shockley said in the past, the talent contest included a preliminary round on Friday night and the final round on Saturday afternoon.
“Many potential entrees were unable to participate due to conflicts with football on Friday night or the distance traveled, making it a problem to drive two days in a row. Therefore, this year, we are having one talent contest on Saturday evening beginning at 5 p.m.”
The show will be at 5 p.m. at the Frontier Communications Stage, located in downtown Davis. Shockley said this year’s contest will feature three categories: Kids, including those age 12 and under; teens, for those age 13 to 17 years of age; and adults, age 18 and up.
“Those competing can sing or play an instrument and each entrant may perform one song,” Shockley said. ”Entrants will be judged on talent, stage presence and overall entertainment. The contest will be assessed by three qualified judges. Each entrant needs to provide his or her own music which can be a karaoke type CD or MPG file, or the entrant may play an instrument while performing. The Festival will provide a sound system for the show.”
Shockley said the talent show continues to grow each year since its inception in 2013. She said the show provides a great opportunity for local and regional folks to showcase their talents.
“We have had celebrity judges in the past, so you never know who is going to hear and see our talent show contestants and be impressed,” Shockley said. “The Leaf Peepers Festival brings thousands of visitors to Tucker County each year and offers a wonderful opportunity to hear good music, taste good food and enjoy local events, talent and scenery.”
Registration for the Leaf Peepers Talent Contest is $25 for each entrant and is payable to the Tucker County Alpine Festival. Advance registration is required and information is available by emailing Shockley at shockleyangie@gmail.com or by calling or texting 304-642-9070.
Winners will receive $300 for first place, $150 for second place and $75 for third place.
Other events scheduled for the festival include inflatable amusements for the kids, West Virginia Heritage Craft demonstrations, a wild bird exhibit at the Davis Community Center, scenic chairlift rides at Canaan Valley Resort, fall foliage horseback rides at Mountain Trail Rides and Timberline Stables, creature feature at Blackwater Falls State Park Harold Walters Nature Center, Blackwater Falls State Park scenic overlook nature stroll, horse drawn wagon rides, live music on the Frontier Communications Stage in Davis, the 7th annual Leaf Peepers Parade sponsored by the Davis Volunteer Fire Department, music at the Purple Fiddle, an art open house at the WV Highlands Artisan Gallery in Davis, the IOOF Pancake Breakfast, the Driftland Ski Swap in Davis, a lake meander at Blackwater Falls State Park, the Fields of Fire tour of Dolly Sods through Canaan Valley Resort, a nature paddle down the Blackwater River hosted by Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, the WV Appalachian Craft Show and auction at the Davis Fire Hall, a silent auction at the Davis Fire Hall, Oktoberfest, the MountainTop Public Library book sale, Bike Your Park at Blackwater Falls State Park, Fall Frontier Horseback Ride at Timberline Four Seasons Resort, the Flanagan Hill Fall Festival, the Little Peeper Petting Zoo in Davis, the Blackwater Canyon Bike Ride beginning in Thomas, the Pumpkin Toss at the Country Market in Davis, a skulls, skins and scat program at Blackwater Falls State Park, the Leaf Peeper Breakfast Special at The Breakfast Nook in Canaan Valley, the Canaan Valley Institute Yellow Creek Wetland Walk, the 19th Annual Fall Colors Golf Tournament at Canaan Valley Resort, a car show in the lot across from Davis Fire Hall, WV Mountain Ministries and Mountaineer Wilderness living skills series at Canaan Valley Baptist Church, a Duck Race at the Beaver Creek Bridge behind the Dollar General in Davis and much more.
