Picture a postcard perfect setting of an Autumn Day now throw in a small town America festival and you can imagine what this year’s Leaf Peepers was like.
Perfect blue skies and a burst of fall colors, accompanied by seventy degree weather was the ideal backdrop for the Festival’s twenty-fifth anniversary.
By far one of the largest draws to the festival is the “Run For It” race spear-headed by the Tucker Community Foundation. This year’s race saw a record breaking amount of participants and awards.
Forty teams registered and competed to win cash awards for their causes. There were over 1,100 participants with over $140,000.00 in awards given.
Along with prizes given by the Tucker Community Foundation were representatives from four different county commission distributing awards while twenty five different teams were recipients of a thousand dollars each from a very generous benefactor in the form of the McDonough Group.
There were participants as young as seven weeks to as old as eighty nine years. There were challenged athletes as well as multi-generational family participants. The one thing they all had in common was the desire to do good for a worthy cause.
Along with traditional favorite events there was also a few new events that are sure to make repeat appearances next year. There were West Virginia heritage booths set up to educate, the annual business store-front and store-window display contest was expanded to include the Town of Thomas, and the first annual Leaf Peepers talent show. The talent show got its start with only about seven acts but with the hundred or so spectators one can assume that this event will make a repeat performance next year.
Old favorites made a return this year also. The duck race, old car show, kiddy inflatable’s, corn hole tournament, along with numerous other things throughout the weekend. This year’s craft show also may end up having a “fairy-tale” ending in the form of Kat Jewels.
Tammy King, owner of Kat Jewels, while manning her booth at the craft fair was “discovered” by a purchaser from Nordstrom’s department stores who has expressed interest in carrying her jewelry in one or several of the stores. Talks ensued and contracts are being sent for King’s review.
Like any event, this year’s is no different in that it takes numerous workers and volunteers countless hours of planning, prepping, working, and changing numerous toilet paper rolls to make this the huge success that it is for the small community that hosts it. The Alpine festival board welcomes comments but LOVES those who are willing to donate their time in helping prepare for next year’s event.
For more information on how you can be involved contact The Alpine Festival at the Tucker County information center at: 304-259-5315.
