Strawberry Festival?Grand Feature

By Becky Wagoner, Staff Writer
Thousands are expected to converge on Buckhannon today for the Grand Feature Parade and other activities scheduled during the 2008 West Virginia Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon.

Today kicks off with the Strawberry Run at noon followed by the Classic Car Parade at 12:15 p.m. The 67th annual WVSF Grand Feature Parade is scheduled to step off at 1 p.m. down Strawberry Lane.

Several units will participate in the parade including the 2008 honor band from Morgantown High School.

The Morgantown High School Band has a time-honored commitment to excellence. This tradition has made its members and alumni proud to say they were a part of the organization. The band has traveled throughout the United States representing the Mountain State in many prestigious competitions and festivals including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1963, the Cotton Bowl Parade in Dallas, Texas, the Miami Orange Bowl Parade, the All-American Music Festival in Orlando, Fla., and the Ground Zero New York Parade in 2002. The band was recently selected to participate again in next year’s edition of the New York Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 2007-2008 band features nine majorettes, 18 Mohiganettes and 230 wind, brass and percussion members. Under the leadership of head majorette Jessi Austin and field commander Josh Laughner, the group will perform “I Go to Rio.” The director of bands is Keith Reed and the assistant director is Joel Cotter. The choreographers are Wendy Thomas and Kristin Reed. Percussion instructors are Donovan Stewart and Martin Johnston.

“The students, parents and directors, Monongalia County Schools and citizens of Monongalia County consider it a distinct honor to be this year’s West Virginia Strawberry Festival Honor Band,” Reed said.

West Virginia native Bill Stewart, head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, will serve as parade marshal.

Stewart was named WVU’s 32nd head football coach a day after leading the Mountaineers to a remarkable 48-28 victory over No. 3 Oklahoma in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

In addition to the parade, an afternoon meet and greet is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. today in the auditorium at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. The event is co-sponsored by the WVSF and the Buckhannon-Upshur Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Admission is $2, with proceeds benefiting the Upshur County Special Olympics.

The ever popular Strawberry Jamboree Street Party will be from 9 p.m. to midnight today on Main Street in Buckhannon.

Main Street, from the Upshur County courthouse to Buckhannon City Hall, will be blocked off to traffic during the free street party that attracts hundreds of people. Entertainers including Johnny Staats and Robert Shafer, Comparsa, Catch A Wave and the Davission Brothers will perform on several stages set up along Main Street.

Other events and activities today and Sunday include:

TODAY

7 a.m.-noon: Strawberry Pancakes and Sausage, First United Methodist Church, 53 S. Florida St.

8 a.m.-noon: Classic Car Show registration, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Camden parking lot.

9 a.m.: Dignitary Brunch (invitation only), West Virginia Wesleyan College Campus Center.

9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Antique Engine and Tractor Show, Stockert Youth Center.

9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Photo Exhibit, Buckhannon-Upshur Camera Club, Bill Kelley Inc.

9 a.m.-noon: Juried Art Show, Stockert Youth Center.

9 a.m.- 9 p.m.: Strawberry Shortcake, American Legion Hall, 16 S. Kanawha St.

9 a.m.-11 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Gift Shop, 27 W. Main St.

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.: Homemade ice cream and strawberry shortcake, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 88 S. Kanawha St.

10 a.m.-dark: Helicopter rides, Bill Kelley Inc., back lot.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: History Hitting the Road, Jawbone Park.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: 4-H Strawberry Shortcake Sale, Episcopal Church, South Kanawha Street.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: 4-H Steak Sandwich Sale, Episcopal Church, South Kanawha Street.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Arts and Crafts Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Quilt Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

10:30 a.m.: Strawberry Run registration, Academy Primary School.

Noon-11 p.m.: Gambill Amusement Carnival, city parking lot.

11 a.m.- midnight: Concessions, various locations.

Noon- 5 p.m.: Craft Show, First presbyterian Church, South Locust Street.

Noon: Strawberry Run, Strawberry Lane.

12:15 p.m.: Classic Car Parade, Strawberry Lane.

1 p.m. Grand Feature Parade, Strawberry Lane.

Post Parade: Shriners picnic and awards ceremony, Wendling Warehouse.

Post Parade: Awards for parade, West Virginia Wesleyan College Chapel steps.

2 p.m.-6 p.m.: Classic Car Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Camden parking lot.

4 p.m.: Irish Road Bowling, Turkey Run Road.

5 p.m.: Strawberry Idol finals, courthouse plaza.

6 p.m.: Field Show Exhibition and Competition, West Virginia Wesleyan College football field.

8 p.m.-midnight: Strawberry Jamboree, Main Street.

10:30 p.m.: Spirit Pin drawing, main stage at Strawberry Jamboree.

11 p.m.: Fireworks, downtown.



SUNDAY

9 a.m.: Strawberry 900, T.B.D.

10 a.m.: Jack Barker Memorial Canoe Race registration, Wood Street.

11 a.m.-dark: Helicopter rides, Bill Kelley Inc., back lot.

Noon: Jack Barker Memorial Canoe Race, Wood Street.

Noon-5 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Arts and Crafts Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

Noon- 3 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Gift Shop, 27 W. Main St.

Noon- 5 p.m.: Quilt Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium

1 p.m.- 5 p.m.: Gambill Amusement Carnival, city parking lot.

1 p.m.: West Virginia Strawberry Festival Horse Pull, Bennett Farm.

1:30 p.m.: Irish Road Bowling, Turkey Run Road.

2 p.m.: Gospel Sing, West Virginia Wesleyan College Chapel.