By: Mat Cloak
The Parsons Advocate
If there is one event that truly showcases all that makes Tucker County a beautiful place, Leaf Peepers Festival might be that event. Activities all over the county incorporated a diverse range of interests. After what most would agree was a disappointing 2016 foliage presentation, this year’s festival was timed perfectly with nature.
The festival’s events were well suited to take advantage of this year’s dramatic presentation. The Fields of Fire tour atop Dolly Sods took participants on a photography friendly exhibition on the vast meadows of roaring red blueberry bushes. Interpretive fall foliage horseback rides left from Mountain Trail Rides all weekend. If seeing the foliage from the ground failed to satiate leaf peeping needs, chairlift rides up the Canaan Valley Resort slopes provided encompassing views.
When festivalgoers were willing to turn their eyes away from nature, there were plenty of opportunities to enjoy the splendor created by their peers. Music in the parking lot across from Davis Fire Hall and at the Purple Fiddle kept the happy footed dancing all weekend. At 7 p.m. on Friday, the parade began down William Ave. in Davis. Floats, antique cars, fire trucks, and even all-terrain vehicles were featured in the parade.
In addition to the parade and music, a craft auction in the fire hall, individual vendors, and stores in town were showcasing local talent. Pam Snyder, cooperative owner of WV Highlands Artisans Gallery in Davis, worked at the gallery Friday afternoon. Coffee and pastries were served Saturday morning, and in the afternoon, a champagne party served as a chance for the artists to meet and greet customers. Snyder commented that Leaf Peepers Festival is a bigger event for the gallery than Art Spring.
Set up next to the Tucker Community Development Office was Todd Turner of Appalachian Glass. Appalachian Glass is a family owned business, and Turner is of the family’s third generation. “I feel like we’ve been blessed coming here,” Turner said. “I truly believe this is the prettiest part of our state.” Appalachian Glass used their mobile furnace to make glass pumpkins with participants.
One of the biggest events situated in the middle of the festival was Run for It. The race brought approximately 1,500 participants, as well as their families and friends, into Davis Saturday morning. Cones were set up to denote the race route and police directed traffic. Runners and walkers stretched, and some even got a pre-race warm up in. As everyone mingled before and after the race, vendors were set up to satisfy shopping, eating, and drinking desires.
The Rotary Club and the Pioneer Memorial Library in Harman ran an impressive chicken barbeque operation. A custom-built trailer bed was outfitted as a grill that cooked approximately 400 half chickens at a time.
The Mountain Top Public Library held their annual book sale. Donated books help make this one of the library’s biggest fundraisers. Library Director, Ivonne Martinez, commented that the library sold over $800 worth in previous years. “Once all these books are gone, I have to replenish for next year,” Martinez said.
After the race finished and the awards distributed, people scattered to their respective interests. Whether they were biking, admiring the geology of Blackwater State Park, learning about the Native Americans in West Virginia, or watching the talent show, people all over Tucker County were basking in the gorgeous fall weather.
Compared to Saturday, Sunday was a slower day in Davis. Maggie Lutz, President of Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative, organized the second annual Cake Walk. Mountain Laurel students, staff, parents, as well as the greater community baked the winning items. The music started, stopped, and numbers were called to declare winners. Across the street, meticulous paint jobs and chrome sparkled in the 70 degree weather as admirers strolled through the 60 cars registered in the car show.
Leaf Peepers Festival is a joint effort. The Alpine Festival, with showcasing the fall foliage, local dining, and shops in mind, is at the head of that effort each year. The Chamber of Commerce ran the beer garden, the vendors, and the music. Tucker Community Foundation organizes Run for It. The Convention and Visitors Bureau helped with marketing.
“As soon as the festival is over we get set for next year,” Jessica Waldo, Executive Director of CVB, said. Waldo commented that the Leaf Peeper Festival comes in close second as the biggest Tucker County event, right behind Pickin in Parsons.
“This year’s going to be an incredible year because the leaves have changed and the weather’s perfect,” Waldo said. “It is one of those don’t miss years.”
