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Leaf Peeper’s Festival set in Tucker

DAVIS — Local businesses and nonprofit organizations are preparing for the 30th annual Leaf Peeper’s Festival, which is slated for Sept. 28-30.

Presented by the Tucker County Alpine Festival, the small festival provides the perfect opportunity to see the fall foliage at its peak, while also enjoying local music, crafts, walks and more.

“It is a great small town festival where you can experience all the fall colors of Davis,” Jessica Waldo, executive director of the Tucker County Conventions Bureau, said.

Officials with the Leaf Peepers Festival are honored to be offering their 30th festival this year, with hopes that it will be the biggest yet.

“The idea of the festival started as a small food festival which was to celebrate fall. Now, here we are 30 years later, as a well-known festival that people mark their calendars for,” Waldo said.

Throughout this year’s festival, individuals will have the ability to participate in numerous events throughout the day, including Scenic Chair Lift Rides with Canaan Valley State Park, Fall Foliage Horseback Rides with Mountain Trail Rides, a Ski and Outdoor Swap with Driftland Ski Shop, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides and Wagon Rides.

There will also be exclusive events that will be limited to Friday, Sept. 28 only, including the Amish Lifestyle and Horseshoeing Exhibit, The Incredible Journey and Interactive Improve Sessions.

There will also be events which are specific to Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29, including the Broken “H” Traveling Train Exhibit, Blacksmith Exhibit and Little Peeper Petting Zoo and Gemstone Mining.

All weekend through Sunday, Sept. 30, spectators can enjoy Live Glass-Blowing Demonstrations and Totem Motive Wood Carving Exhibit.

Along with activities and events, individuals will have many opportunities to explore the local area throughout the festival, with tours of Dolly Sods, the Blackwater Canyon Bike Ride, information on Light Pollution and Dark Skies, a Night Hike and many more activities and events for adults and children alike, which are planned to be held by the local State Parks.

Events will kick off at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 with the annual Fireman’s Parade, sponsored by the Davis Fire Department.

Along with opportunities to engage with the community, multiple musical performances by local artists will be offered that night, including Delberto Davis and Bryan Knowles, Nat Fredrick, Back in the Day Band and Strung Like A Horse. The next day, spectators can enjoy music by Eric Ian Farmer, Marielle Craft and a performance by PA Line. On Sept. 30, musical performances will again be again by Eric Ian Farmer and Marielle Craft.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, events will kick off with the annual IOOF Buckwheat Breakfast at 7 a.m. with pancakes, buckwheat cakes, biscuits and more breakfast-related items.

Participants can also engage in the local art of handmade wood, candles, soaps, primitive crafts and baked goods at the annual West Virginia Appalachian Craft Show on Saturday and Sunday.

Along with opportunities to purchase crafts, individuals can also immerse themselves in the local arts scene in Front Street’s Gallery Night on Sept. 29, as local galleries and art spaces will keep their doors open into the evening.

At 11 a.m. Sept. 29, participants can take place in the annual Tucker County Community Foundation Run For It Tour of Davis which will take both runners and walkers though the scenic town of Davis.

The Run For It provides cash awards to support community organizations, charities, projects and educational activities located within the Foundations multiple counties service areas.

Oktoberfest will also be one of the main highlights of Saturday, with music, dancing, drinks and food, along with crafts, a book sale from the MountainTop Library, and musical performances throughout the night.

Individuals are also encouraged to sign up for the 6th annual Leaf Peepers Talent Show that will take place at the main stage at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday, individuals can enjoy the highly anticipated 21st Annual Fall Colors Golf Tournament at Canaan Valley Resort, with a Hole in One Car and prizes sponsored by Performance Chevrolet and an awards banquet sponsored by Sirianni’s Cafe in Canaan Valley.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, spectators can enjoy a Car Show, Sponsored by Patriot Automotive Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram with trophies awarded to various categories. Along with awards, the first 50 pre-registered cars will receive a dash plaque and the entry to a drawing for a door prize.

On Sunday, individuals can view the annual Duck Race at the Beaver Creek Bridge, where first, second, third and last place ducks win money prizes. Ducks can be purchased anytime before 11 a.m. on Sunday, with the proceeds going to help fund the annual Leaf Peepers Festival.

Officials with the Leaf Peepers Festival are honored to be holding their 30th festival this year, with hopes that it will be the biggest yet.

Waldo commented on the beginnings of the festival, “The idea of the festival started as a small food festival which was to celebrate fall. Now, we here we are 30 years later, as a well known festival that people mark their calendars for.”

More information about the festival and the activities can be found at http://canaanvalley.org/see-do/listings/leaf-peepers-festival or at the Leaf Peeper’s Festival Facebook Page or by calling the Tucker County Conventions and Visitors Beuoro at (800) 782-2775.

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