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ELKINS -- One of the region's most anticipated gatherings of the year will take place Saturday when the 13th annual Ramps and Rail Festival kicks off at the Elkins Railyard Depot.
The event, which returned last year after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. It is set to conclude at 4 p.m.
"We didn't have the festival in 2020 or 2021, but we had more people than ever last year," Anne Beardslee, executive director of the Elkins Depot Welcome Center CVB, told The Inter-Mountain. "We had a beautiful 75 degree sunny day and I think people were really just ready to get out. People were so excited to have something to look forward to and attend. Last year was a huge success."
Beardslee said the event always draws more than 1,000 people, including last year when the festival hosted around 1,600 visitors.
"We are expecting another good turnout this year," she said. "I have had a lot of questions and a ton of phone calls. We've had a lot of interest."
The event will feature a record number of vendors, with a total of 50. Food vendors taking part will be making their favorite ramp dishes for guests to enjoy.
"Our vendors will have a variety of items, I know one of them will be selling ramp salt," said Beardslee. "We have some vendors who make things that are already packaged, like ramp sauces, and I know of one vendor who will be selling ramps.
"In addition to all the great food vendor options for people to enjoy, there will also be a bunch of other items for them to buy and take home. And it's not all food-related, there will be pieces of art, clothing, ceramics and much more."
The festival will also feature a pair of one-hour train rides that will depart from the depot at 11 a.m and 1 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended for the rides and can be made at 1-877-868-7245 or online at Mountainrailwv.com.
"The trains are getting pretty close to being sold out," Beardslee said. "So if there are people out there wanting to ride the train during the festival, they need to take care of that in advance and do it pretty quick."
Musical entertainment will also be playing throughout the day on the Rotary Amphitheater Stage. Josh Folmsbee & The Crooked Roots will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Juice Newsom and the Groove play from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"We have two really different bands, who are both relatively local," said Beardslee. "The first band plays a little bit of everything when it comes to their music style, while the second band is a little more of a funk band. They both play all over the area and are both very good."
For more information about the festival, call 304-635-7503 or go to elkinsdepot.com.