Jackson's Mill Jubilee board President Bill Adler said the additional time to plan this year's Labor Day weekend event should allow it to top what was pulled together in a mere 60 days in 2009.
"It would make a fascinating reality show," he said. "Give a group of people no money, no records, nothing and have them put on an event like this in just 60 days."
Last year's event exceeded expectations, making this year's a highly anticipated undertaking. Adler said the board of directors and volunteers have been able to bring fresh new ideas to the Jubilee, which should make it even better.
"Change and children are our two core philosophies," he said. "You have to keep it new, and you have to keep it fresh."
That doesn't necessarily mean that the Jubilee has forsaken some of its traditional offerings. Back this year is the serving of soup beans and corn bread, a menu item that was noticeably absent from last year's event. The Lewis County Park Board will be offering the food as a way to raise money for its planned new swimming pool.
Also returning will be hand-spun cotton candy, along with a much larger Civil War encampment and the traditional Appalachian music. The musical entertainment will be scattered across the West Virginia University Jackson's Mill campus, giving festivalgoers a chance to hear the heritage music no matter where they may be at the time.
The festival kicks off today at noon and goes until 9 p.m. Saturday's hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $4, which includes the ride from the parking lot to the campus. Children younger than age 3 are admitted free.
"This is a fabulous event to pull the community together," said Lewis County Commissioner Pat Boyle. "Where else can you go for $4 where you can get fireworks, crafts (and) children's events?"
Adler said one of the goals of the board, which organized after the original Stonewall Jackson Jubilee group announced it would not stage another festival, was to keep things affordable. He said it has been able to do that because of the overwhelming support of the festival sponsors. Adler said the oil and gas industry, which is booming in the county, really came forward to help.
Key Energy is sponsoring free hot air balloon rides, which are one of the newest activities, and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis - if the weather permits.
"Any place else you go, you are looking at $20 per person, and here it's free," Adler said.
XTO Energy is also sponsoring a new event, the Giant Jubilee Giveaway. Free registration for the giveaway will begin when the gates open today at noon. Persons 18 and older can register at a booth in front of the Mount Vernon Dining Hall. Only one registration is allowed per person, and it must include a telephone number where the person can be reached between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Twenty-seven names will be drawn from the entries. The first 25 will each receive $100 in vouchers that must be spent at one or more of the crafters, food vendors or attractions at the festival. The 26th name drawn will receive $200, and the final name drawn will receive $300. The vouchers will come in $25 increments, and they must be used before 5 p.m. Sunday. They may be spent at one booth or at various locations across the campus. They are not exchangeable for cash, nor do they excuse the purchaser from paying sales tax. No change will be given. The vendors who take in the vouchers can exchange them for cash at the Jubilee office after the festival concludes.
"XTO agreed that this is a great way to stimulate the revenues for crafters and artisans while providing an exciting shopping experience for visitors," said Jubilee board member Dottie Walden.
A magical musical show for the children will debut this year, featuring heritage music, and the sand volleyball pit will be changed into a pirates' treasure hunting area for the weekend.
"You don't realize until you are (on the grounds) just how huge this thing is," Adler said.
Adler said that while the group is preparing for the 2010 event, it is setting itself up for a successful 2011 season and beyond. He said the board is looking for new faces and fresh ideas for future festivals.
"We have found that highly successful events have turnover in leadership every two years," he said. "The challenge is to make it better than the last guy. We can go as far as our talents will take us. If we are not going to nurture the new talent, we are never going to grow. We can't stymie growth by not allowing people to showcase their talents."
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