Fall Fairs and Festivals are beginning in West Virginia and it is a time I remember well as a child. The Mountain State Forest Festival is an annual event in the county that I live in. It is one of the largest and oldest festivals in West Virginia and this is the 88th consecutive year with only two breaks in the tradition. During World War II it was suspended for seven years and during COVID-19 the event was canceled for two years due to public health concerns.
I remember saving my allowance and anticipating the one day that we got to go “to town” and see the sights. You have to understand that where I grew up there wasn’t much to see. Mabie, my hometown, (and don’t laugh) was 12 miles from Elkins and we didn’t get to go there very often. Momma Said, “It was like someone visiting New York City, it was a grand day.”
There were many more businesses then than there are now and it was a sight to behold, especially during the festival. The store front windows were and still are decorated with past Queens’ gowns and beautiful displays of artwork. The gowns are pieces of majestic artwork themselves. I don’t know how many hours of work are in each one but they are masterfully done in beautiful fall colors along with the Princess gowns.
I don’t go much anymore because I have to work on the day of the coronation and I just don’t do well in crowds anymore. The atmosphere in town changes greatly. We have an influx of around 75,000 people converge in the space of a week and it is a dramatic change to a town with a population of less than 7,000.
Momma Said, “When the carnies come to town you know there will be a party.”
Fair Kettle Corn
Ingredients:
¼ cup corn oil
¼ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
salt to taste
Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat until hot. Add corn kernels until 2 to 3 pop; stir in white and brown sugars. Cover pot with a lid; agitate pot in a circular motion on the stove. Allow corn to pop, agitating pot constantly, until popping rate slows down to 1 pop every 2 to 3 seconds. Remove pot from the stove; shake pot until popping stops. Transfer popcorn to a large bowl; cool to room temperature. Break apart large popcorn clumps by hand; season with salt.
