MOLASSES FESTIVAL CONTINUES - Pancakes, Sausage, Molasses And Gospel Music

(09/26/2003)

Packed crowd enjoys Friday's Gospel Night last year

Folks bring flowers from their fall garden every year

It's lasses time again - the 36th Annual West Virginia Molasses Festival at Arnoldsburg. Area growers brought in the sugar cane and the squeezin' began yesterday.

Co-chairs Linda McCartney and Hazel Lane said "Come check us out, visit with old friends, make new friends and just have a great time." Folks from far and wide will return for one of the the county's best attended events.

Randall and Blanche Whytsell of the "lower fork" have been selected the 2003 Parade Marshalls. The couple have helped with the festival for many years.

"Preservation of local heritage is much of what the festival is about," said Linda McCartney.

Cooperation with many different groups during past years has resulted in the successful growth of the festival. Money raised by the festival is used for maintaining the park and other community projects.

This spring a Memorial Tree was planted in memory of one of the festivals longtime workers, Paul Bush.

Molasses will be made on site and sold throughout the festival. If you want to see the old-fashioned process of molasses making, the demonstration starts every day at 10 a.m.

Today is pancake and sausage day from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

There are rides for the kids, novelty booths and lots of special attractions

Fruit of the earth on display for "country fair"

Award winning quilts on display

One of the popular events is a gospel sing starting at 7:30 p.m. tonight,which is held inside the community building.

Saturday is chicken barbecue day beginning at 11 a.m. The Grand Parade will line-up at Arnoldsburg School at 11 a.m. with the parade commencing at 1 p.m. There will be a performance by Calhoun High School Band following the parade.

Judging of the Horses and Wagons will be at noon at Arnoldsburg School. Parade Trophy Presentations will be at 2:45 p.m. The CEOS Quilt drawing will be at 6 p.m.

A wide variety of entertainment is scheduled on the outside stage Saturday night starting at 7 p.m., including country and bluegrass music.

Rides and booths open to the public

Emily Brady's pumpkin was a winner last year

Check these veggies