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Ramps and Rail Festival set for Saturday in Elkins

The Inter-Mountain file photo by Tim MacVean Members of the Kiwanis Club of Elkins, Kevin Tingler, left, and Rachel Varner prepare hundreds of ramp burgers throughout the day during the 2018 10th annual Ramps and Rail Festival at Elkins Town Square. The 11th annual festival is slated for 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday

ELKINS — For the past decade, area residents and tourists alike have gathered in downtown Elkins to celebrate a local delicacy and sample unique ramp-infused cuisine.

This Saturday will be no different than past years, during the 11th annual Ramps and Rail Festival, running from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Elkins Town Square.

Anne Beardslee, Elkins Depot Welcome Center executive director, said this year’s event will feature 52 total vendors — the festival’s maximum — 23 of which will offer food items. Beardslee noted additional vendors had to be turned away.

She added there will be a variety of ramp fare available, including roasted corn with ramp butter, deep fried calzones, ramp macaroni and cheese, ramp chili, ramp sausage and many more options.

“The Ramps and Rail Festival was created to provide an outlet for local craft and food vendors, and musicians to showcase their products and create income,” Beardslee said. “That is still our goal today as we host the 11th festival.”

The event will feature a variety of musical performances from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including the Phrawg Giggers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and The Franks Family from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad will offer one-hour train rides taking passengers to Norton and back. The Tygart Flyer train will transport riders during the scenic rail tours. Limited tickets for the train are still available but reservations are highly recommended.

Train tickets can be purchased by contacting the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad at 304-636-9477, or make reservations by visiting mountainrailwv.com/special-events.

Beardslee said the festival is always a fan favorite with the wide variety of activities being held outdoors.

“This event is one of the first outdoor activities each year, where you can see your neighbors, enjoy live music and celebrate spring,” she said.

Festival patrons will be given the opportunity to vote for their favorite vendors – three for food vendors and three from craft vendors – and a plaque presentation will be made to the winning vendors at 4 p.m.

Visitors to the festival will also notice the live entertainment and award presentations under a new addition to the Elkins Town Square – an amphitheater that is being erected thanks to the Elkins Rotary Club and donations from the community.

“We are really excited about the addition of the new pavilion. Although it will not be completely finished by the festival, we will be the first group to use the space,” Beardslee added. “Thanks to the Elkins Rotary Club and all of the contributors, the amphitheater adds a whole new dimension to the rail yard and it’s use in the future.”

Festival officials added they express appreciation to Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Randolph County Development Authority, Randolph County Commissioners, and the City of Elkins for making the event possible.

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