Our Town’s Spring Expo helps Elkins ‘Sprout into Spring’
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ELKINS -- More than 200 visitors came out for Our Town's second Spring Expo held Saturday at the Seneca Mall Atrium, officials said.
The Expo, which is part of this year's "Sprout Into Spring" extravaganza, featured a host of interactive activities for both adults and children alike.
"The event was very well-attended and I have to give so much credit to all the people who willingly participated and provided all the wonderful activities for the children and adults," Our Town volunteer Bobbi Trimboli told The Inter-Mountain. "Everyone who came out had a wonderful time and it was a very enjoyable three hours."
Children attending the Expo learned interactively about tree leaves, bees, seeds, butterflies, pinwheels and many other outdoors topics. Face painting was available, and Smokey the Bear made an appearance, along with a group of firefighters from California, who were in West Virginia for training.
The top floor of the Atrium featured displays and activities from the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization, WV Master Naturalist Program, West Virginia AgrAbility, Elkins Tree Board, Centers Against Violence, Mountain Heart Community, GFWC Woman's Club, History of Old Man Winter (Fasnacht), and Wheel of Wilderness.
Activities on the main floor were provided by the Emma Scott Garden Club, Wonder & Grow, WVU Extension Master Gardeners, Interact Children's Museum, Randolph County Climb, Randolph County 4-H WV Extension Services, WV Birth to Three, Appalachian Forest National Heritage, U.S. Forest Services Dept of Agriculture, Plant A Seed Project, and the Guilty Pleasures Sweet Shop and Cakes.
"We had 17 vendors present and people came up and gave us compliments on all the activities they had to offer," Trimboli said. "We really appreciated all of the vendors for coming out and doing a wonderful job. They all helped make this event a complete success."
Children were able to take part in activities having to do with Accessible Agriculture Demonstrations, Leaf Stenciling, Making of Pinwheels, Creating Butterfly Masks, Planting of Butterfly Weed, Making Bird Feeders from Recycled Materials, Kindness Rocks Bubble Breathing, Terra/Soil Activity, Flying Bugs and Bees in Wind Tunnel, Butterfly Crafts and Creations, Spring Critters, Exploring in the Goo, Pollinator Games, Bee Activities, Bubble Blowing, and the Planting Seeds and Seed Balls.
"We are so blessed with people in our area who want to do good things," said Trimboli. "I'm always overwhelmed with that. It takes very little asking to get people to come out and help with events like this one."
The event featured several Gardening and Nature Book Giveaways and the day was capped off by a tree pruning activity at the Kump House.
Our Town volunteers also finished setting up the wooden cutout butterflies that are on display throughout the city streets of downtown Elkins.
"We now have all the butterflies set up throughout town, and the conclusion to the weekend will be Tuesday night with a Bonfire downtown," said Trimboli. "That's how we will finish the start of celebrating spring."
Our Town is partnering with Beander's Restaurant for a bonfire activity that will burn Old Man Winter at the Railyard from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. The event will feature free marshmallows to roast and hot chocolate, courtesy of Legacy Insurance. Those attending are encouraged to bring musical instruments to play during the event.
For more information on any upcoming Our Town events, visit the organization's Facebook page or call 304-636-0415.