The Philippi Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the winners of the contest, which was part of Lurch Fest, the Philippi-based festival that celebrates actor and Philippi native Ted Cassidy, known for his iconic role as Lurch in the 1960s TV series, “The Addams Family.” The winners will receive cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25. The event took place Aug. 3.

Winning first place was Hope Mission’s Thrift Store. The window was primarily a collection of visuals depicting stages in Cassidy’s life and some of the movie roles he portrayed. 

The Barbour County Senior Center is this year’s second-place winner. The Center’s numerous windows featured sketches of Lurch and models of The Addams Family characters.

The Yarn Basket is the third-place winner in this year’s contest, with one window highlighting small dolls dressed in hand-knitted Addams Family costumes that had been customized by local knitters. The second window featured models of Lurch and Cousin It. Two Main Street businesses also received honorable mentions.

Submitted photo Hope Mission’s Thrift Store was the first-place winning window display for the 2024 Lurch Fest Window Decorating Contest.

“The Nationwide Office and Twisted Bee have consistently shown support of Lurch Fest through their creative window displays both this year and in past years,” a CVB spokesperson said in a press release.

Karen Larry, the president of the Philippi CVB, said it’s believed that around 5,000 people were present at Lurch Fest this year despite rain throughout the day, though there is no official estimate.

“The rain didn’t chase away people who were there,” Larry told The Inter-Mountain. “It may have kept some people away from coming, but it didn’t chase away those who were there. People put up umbrellas and donned clear-plastic ponchos, and just kept moving about.”

Festivities throughout the day included a showcase of antique hearses, ax throwing, a Tygart River paddle, a new rubber duckie race and the annual costume contest. Festival goers were also given the opportunity to meet and have pictures taken with Sean Cassidy, Ted Cassidy’s son.

Live music was also provided throughout the day by Greg Short & Friends, The Greg Ice Band, Full Circle, Electric Blue and Soda Pop Gypsies. Despite the weather, the musicians were not deterred, Larry said.

“They played as long as they could through the rain, and some of them had to stop when it was raining because of the electrical equipment,” Larry said. “Then they got started again as soon as it stopped raining.”

Lurch merchandise was sold throughout the day by more than 50 crafters and vendors, as well as by the CVB. Larry said the official Lurch Fest t-shirt and Lurch bobble heads were basically sold out within the first hour of the festival.

The Friday night before, the festival had a pre-Fest event that included a release party for the new biography of Cassidy’s life, “Lurching Forward – Ted Cassidy, Early Life from Cradle to Creature.” The book’s author, Christofer Cook, the authorized biographer of Ted Cassidy, took part in a book reading and signing at the event with copies of the book for sale.

Sean Cassidy was also at the event Friday evening, joining Cook for a Q&A session, and received a makeover by Cook, transforming him into his father’s character, Lurch.

“Sean remembers being in Philippi as a child and he has, therefore, really enjoyed coming back,” Larry said. “This is his second year with us. He and the people he meets on the street are just so pleased to be chatting with one another. He really enjoys the small-town atmosphere we have here.”

The next Lurch Fest is scheduled for Aug. 2, 2025.