FRANKFORD (WVDN) – Plans for the Frankford Autumnfest are winding down.
The festival will take place on Saturday, October 1. Organizers are finalizing the details, but are excited to return this year after the two-year COVID hiatus with this family-friendly, community event.
Saturday will kick off with the annual pancake breakfast at Frankford Presbyterian Church from 7 a.m. until the parade begins at 11 a.m.
The Grand Parade is always a huge success, averaging 50-60 participants each year, including floats, horses, bands, civic groups, vintage cars, and much more.
Lineup and registration starts at 9am until 10am Categories that will be judged are Gangs, EMS/Fire Departments (judged separately), Royalty (any queen or king in the area, only those escorted in classic cars/ATVs , etc.). be eligible to be judged), classic cars, ATVs/ATVs, walkers, tractors, parade floats and favorites, and equines.
Judging will be at 10 a.m. and the parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m.
The art tent will be open with various art activities for all ages, such as spin art, body art and more.
A returning favorite is the junior market. This is an opportunity for children under the age of 18 to have arts, crafts, jewelry, produce, etc. display their products and offer them for sale. There will also be face painting and inflatables, enough to keep everyone of all ages busy for the afternoon.
Fifth grade students are working on heritage projects about the local area. Hours of hard work and creativity go into these projects. You’ll want to take some time to check them out, as they will be on display for the festival.
Of course, no festival is complete without food, and there will be food in abundance. Some of the treats planned so far are walking tacos, loaded baked potatoes, rotisserie chicken, pulled pork tacos, brisket, and lots of baked goodies. For early risers, there will also be breakfast cookies available.
Various craft vendors are also scheduled.
K-9 demonstrations for search and rescue, as well as traditional squirrel hunting, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will join the festival.
In addition, the organizers are pleased to announce the return of the health fair. Many vendors and vendors have reserved spaces for the health fair that will be held in the cafeteria. The health fair will take place from 12 to 3 pm
Basketball competitions also return this year. A grade-appropriate free throw contest and 3-point shootout will begin in the gym at 1 p.m. There will be an “open gym” after the contests until 3 p.m.
Healthnet Aeromedical, now based at the Greenbrier Valley Airport, will be available to answer any questions you may have and allow them to become familiar with their newly acquired community. Weather permitting, they will also have their plane on site to view.
This year’s new addition is a car show.
The organizers of Autumnfest are very excited about this and hope that this can continue every year. They want you to show your pride and joy in the parade and are extending an invitation to participate in the car show that will be held immediately after the parade. The event will take place on the school grounds, “in the circle”.
There will be prize drawings and goodie bags for the first 25 registrants. There is a registration fee of $15. For more information, contact Crystal at 304-667-8173.
In addition to the car show, organizers hope some of the parade’s vintage tractors will be on display on the grounds afterward.
The day’s live musical entertainment will begin at 12 pm with Ben Hersman and The Sons of the Mountains. They will be followed at 1 pm by Acoustic Fusion, a jazz, blues, early rock and roll band. They first joined Autumnfest in 2018, then known as Lady Blue.
Mud Hole Control, veterans of the fall festival, will wrap up the live music at 2:30 p.m.
No Frankford Autumnfest would be complete without the decorated pumpkin contest, pasta art, and larger sunflower contests. Entries must be submitted by 1pm at Shelby’s Pond and judging will take place at 1:30pm
You’ll want to make sure you take the time to look at these fantastic creations. A child’s imagination is highly valued and they put it to the test making their pasta and pumpkin creations. A lot of hard work and imagination is put into these displays.
Speaking of Shelby’s Pond, you should take a moment to visit the Garden of Remembrance. This is a new addition to the school grounds, next to Shelby’s Pond. Memorial markers have been placed for the three Frankford Elementary School students who tragically passed away last year. Also on display will be a memorial table for the recent loss of what was arguably the best-known Frankford icon of all time, Kyle Loudermilk, who operated the Kyle’s Relief Service in Frankford for 25 years.
The annual Frankford Ruritan Club dinner will be in the school cafeteria from 4-7 pm This year’s menu is spaghetti and it is offered by donation. Proceeds from this event help fund scholarships for Frankford-area high school students.
White Sulfur Springs EMS North Division will be available around the clock for any medical care you may need, and the Frankford Volunteer Fire Department will be available for questions and fire safety brochures are available.
The committee is still accepting registrations for food vendors, arts and crafts, parades, and demonstrations, so other things not mentioned here that you don’t want to miss are likely to be added.
Feel free to contact Kim at 304-646-2874 for general festival information and Justin at 304-667-0917 for food concessions. If you are interested in attending as a vendor, please contact Kim or Justin and arrive at the school no later than 10 am to avoid possible injury with parade spectators.
All vendors preparing for the festival should be ready and their vehicles parked by 10:30 am to alleviate traffic issues with the parade and possible injury to parade spectators. Reservations and reservations for Autumnfest 2023 are also taking place now.
The organizers would like to thank Radio Greenbrier for providing assistance and advertising sponsorship.
The committee wishes to remind motorists of the following safety concerns. US Route 219 from the former car wash just north of Frankford to US Route 219 and the intersection of Anthony Creek Road will be affected by the parade. The parade will take place at 11 am Detours will be set up as usual. Watch out for people walking near or crossing the roads throughout the day.
Some seating is provided, however feel free to bring your own chair, and surely with all these events going on, you won’t have a problem keeping yourself busy during the day.
Autumnfest organizers ask that the public refrain from calling the school as they are busy with daily operations.
All events are subject to change without notice.