By Stephen Smoot
One of Pendleton County’s best attributes lies in the region’s plethora of picnics, parties, and other events held throughout the summer. For the past four years, Franklin has added to that tradition by holding Summer Fest.
Normally set on the third Saturday in July, the event moved to July 13 this year. Attendees can come as early as 10 a.m. Music, food, and children’s games will be available from then until 9 p.m.
The Town of Franklin puts on the event with the support of generous sponsors. “The reason for the event,” says Elizabeth Scott, an administrator with the town who organizes it every year, “is to provide something for people to do as a family.”
Sponsors stepped up to provide more cost-free options this year. “We typically have bounce houses for the kids to enjoy,” said Scott. She added that this year Pendleton Family Support Center and Eastern Action sponsored this so that no fee is required to offset their cost of use.
Admission to the town swimming pool that day will also be free, courtesy of a sponsorship from Potomac Hardware.
Other sponsors include Gulp and Gallop, Old Dominion Realty, NWP (owned by Nathan Propst), Tiny Tots Day Care, L and W Spirit Shop (owned by Pam Wilson and Greg Lillard), and the Jason Smith and Martha Williams family. More may decide to support the effort between now and then.
Gulp and Gallop, owned by Tasha and Isaac Sponaugle, makes its inaugural appearance as a mobile bar. Scott said, “I’m excited for them because they are just starting out.”
“Gulp & Gallop will be the first full service mobile bar in the State of West Virginia,” says Tasha Sponaugle. She added that “we have restored and modified vintage horse trailers to provide a first-class experience for festive events. The main focus of the business will be providing services at weddings, bridal showers, birthdays, festivals, and other special events.”
The only things not free this year are food, crafts, and other items offered by vendors. So far, five food trucks have committed to coming, as well as between 10 and 15 craft and other vendors. A beer garden will also offer cool adult refreshment for a warm summer day.
From noon till nine live music will entertain attendees under a tent, so the show can go on, rain or shine. At 12 p.m., Jack and Davis Reed, grandsons of the legendary Statler Brothers, will play until 2 p.m. Next, between 2:30 and 3:30, comes Monterey’s Cameron Simmons. Both of these acts appeared at Trout Fest as well.
Local musician Mike Eye will take the stage at 4 p.m. and perform for an hour. Then from 6 p.m. until 9, attendees can see the quite popular Spencer Hatcher and the Ol’ Son Gang.
Sponaugle also shared the importance of the midsummer event saying, “Summer Fest is a great annual summer event that gives our community an opportunity to come together. It provides family fun, music, great food and most importantly fellowship.”
