By Stephen Smoot
Although some new faces have filled in to help with the titanic load of work needed to put on Pendleton County’s premier festival, don’t expect too many changes.
“It’s going to look and feel and sound like the festival people hold dear,” said Annie Humes, who added, “It will be the festival that people know and love.”
Last year, following a public call by some on the Treasure Mountain Festival committee, many in the community have stepped up to help keep TMF a first class event for the county, region, and state. Newcomers have joined those who have worked with the festival for years and even decades.
The adding of new to the familiar faces reflects this year’s theme of “Treasured Traditions from Generation to Generation.”
Humes shared that two who have helped to lead efforts in recent years, Carolyn Simmons and Elizabeth Scott, “have been very supportive. Both have been incredibly valuable.” They and others, Humes described, have not only continued to work with dedication on the festival, “but they also pass the knowledge of how the festival gets put on,” she said.
This helps many of the volunteers because “a lot are doing it for the first time.”
Humes went on to name Katelynn Ruddle as “a young member who took on a lot of responsibility” and has done much to help organizers with basic needs.
One minor change that many will notice centers around the Tea Room, which will move to Historic McCoy House, which is owned and operated by Jared and Katie VanMeter.
“Katie has taken up the mantle of being Tea Room leader,” said Humes. She is also seeking volunteers to help run this traditional element of the festival, including helping with food.
The Tea Room is not the only part of the festival needing some added community help. Humes explained that “one of the biggest things is that there is still a need for volunteers during the week of the festival.” To help to reach out and recruit more effectively, TMF is using a program called “SignUpGenius,” an online platform in which those who wish can sign up to help.
“It’s the same one as the extension service uses,” Humes stated.
Humes emphasized that TMF recognizes and respects the fact that “there are folks who, it’s their tradition to do certain types of volunteer work” at the festival. She encouraged them to continue to reach out and sign up to continue their support.
“The music lineup is looking wonderful,” Humes shared. Bill Wellington, for example, will return and, with his accompaniment, play traditional Appalachian music perfect for dancing. Of the headline acts on the main stage, she says, “There will be a couple of great ones!”
Added to the traditional events will be a comedy show presented at Pendleton County Middle/High School, a 5K run at Fisher Mountain, an event for veterans put on by the Sew and Sews Quilt Guild at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning on the main stage, and much more.
After what Humes called “a year of learning and transition” among volunteer organizers, expectations are high for another outstanding Treasure Mountain Festival. She went on to add that she is appreciative of the grace of those “stepping down or stepping up” and that “it’s our hope that the public is excited for it.”
