ELKINS— The Randolph County Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) Expo will be held Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 26, from noon until 5 p.m. at the Elkins High School gym.
Fun activities, live entertainment, educational workshops and interactive vendor booths attract hundreds of children and families each year. HOFNOD, a nationally recognized drug prevention program, emphasizes the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and living a drug and alcohol-free life.
Once again, Davis Medical Center (DMC) is the gold sponsor of the event.
“HOFNOD engages children and families in greater awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles and living,” said Vance Jackson, Davis Health System President and CEO. “Our support of the event aligns with our mission of bringing better health to our communities.”
“We’re thankful for the ongoing support of Davis Medical Center. They make it possible for this valuable event to continue each year,” said Robin Miller, Chair of the event.
This year popular attractions for children include the Hillbilly Zipline, climbing wall, fish pond, Galaxy Meltdown, dunking booth and fire trucks.The HOFNOD Challenge will be held both Saturday and Sunday. The Challenge offers kids the chance to win major door prizes by attending a series of educational and interactive learning stations. The intent is to re-emphasize important messages about living drug free, and the great outdoor recreation available in the region.
Local emergency responder groups will be on hand to share information about their services and showcase emergency vehicles. Community vendors provide games, giveaways and raffles. Major HOFNOD raffles include youth bikes, a boat giveaway and a 50/50 drawing.
“We appreciate our sponsors, volunteers and vendors for making HOFNOD a favorite springtime event for local families and youth,” Miller added. “The prevention of tobacco, drug and alcohol use is an important message for our youth.”
Community sponsors of HOFNOD include Davis Medical Center, Armstrong Wood Products Inc., FirstEnergy, Mountaineer Chapter of Randolph County Izaak Walton League, Mike Ross Inc., Mountain Valley Bank, Champion Auto LLC, Reckart Logistics, Elkins Rotary Club, the Randolph County Commission, Reliable Roofing, Patrick Carr, Robert Thompson/Heritage Hearing, Total Image Paint & Collision Center, and Rachel Anger.
For information about donating to the HOFNOD Expo, or booth space availability contact Robin Miller at 304.637.3532.
Event vendors include 4 – H Leaders, Aarons, Rosstins Big Time Bargains, Chuck E’s, Colombo Law, Double C’s Mountain Calls, Elkins City Police, Elkins Marine Corp., Elkins Pilot Club, Elkins Youth Football and Cheerleading, Gemstone Mine – Greg Holden, Hart Chapel Community Church, HOSA, Huttonsville Correctional Center, IBEX Global, Jodie Parrack – State Farm, Leading Creek 4-H Club, Mercy Chapel Church, Mountaineer Insurance Services, Operation Christmas Child, Pappy Louks Primitives, Prehistoric Artifacts, Prestige Baton Group, Professional Care Services, Randolph County FRN, Randolph County E911, Sheriff of Randolph County, The Inter-Mountain, Uncle Dave’s Turkey Calls, US Cellular, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #812, Wes Forbes Fishing, Warriors in the Field LTD, West Virginia Army National Guard, WV Birth to Three, WV Caring, WV DNR Wildlife Diversity, WV Double Tap Gun Club, WV State Wildlife Center, Youth Health Service Inc., NWVCIL, The Health Plan, and Neighbors in Action.
