66th Annual Strawberry Festival Begins

By Becky Wagoner, Staff Writer
 

(The Inter-Mountain/Becky Wagoner and Gary Mallonee) LET THEIR REIGN BEGIN — King Donnie Tenney and Queen Heather Hostutler, top photo, of the 2007 West Virginia Strawberry Festival were crowned during an official coronation ceremony Wednesday in Wesley Chapel on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. The 66th annual festival runs through Sunday in Buckhannon. Tenney and Hostutler light the “eternal flame” during the opening ceremonies of the festival Wednesday in Buckhannon.

The king and queen of the 2007 West Virginia Strawberry Festival were crowned Wednesday evening in a traditional coronation ceremony in Wesley Chapel on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. Festival Queen Heather Hostutler, 20, of Bridgeport received her crown from West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland. Ashley Bond, the 2006 queen, presented Hostutler with the mantel of office, and her royal scepter was presented by WVSF President Barbara Reger. The key to the city of Buckhannon was presented by Mayor Jim Knorr and Upshur County Commissioner Eugene Suder delivered the oath of office. Hostutler is a sophomore at West Virginia University. She plans to obtain a degree in exercise physiology and further her education in dentistry. West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass crowned Tallmansville resident Donnie Tenney as the festival king.

At a very early age, Tenney raised garden plants and sold them to the former Home Hardware in Buckhannon as part of his 4-H horticulture project.

Over the years, Tenney has perfected a unique method of growing his strawberries. He grows more than 1,500 plants utilizing a raised bed system that he covers and heats. This allows Tenney to produce berries for an earlier market.

Tenney also received a key to the city from Knorr, the oath of office from Suder and his mantel from Bond. Reger presented Tenney his royal scepter.

The blessing and presentation of the berries, presented to Hostutler, was conducted by the Rev. Jeff Zickefoose and Tenney.

The festival association announced Wednesday the winners of the annual coloring and poster contests and the residence that was selected as the strawberry yard of the month.

Coloring contesting winners include:

Kindergarten: Drew Griffith, Union Elementary School; Trinity Claypool, Union Elementary School; and Kylee Kessler, Tennerton Elementary School.

First grade: Hannah Queen, Union Elementary School; Charity Mayle, Academy Primary School; and Adam Cunningham, UES.

Second grade: Azinia Parsons, Washington District Elementary School; Leah Stankus, Washington District; and Lily Bond, Academy.

Third grade: Jesse Liggett, Rock Cave Elementary School; Haley Williams, Buckhannon-Upshur Intermediate School; and Ben Cunningham, UES.

Fourth grade: Mariah Zickefoose, Hodgesville Elementary School; Patricia Loughney, B-UIS; and Megan Martin, BUIS.

Fifth grade: Shelby Williams, B-UIS; Hannah Stankus, Washington District; and Micki Skiles, Julia Sanford and Maddy Lough, B-UIS.

The overall winner for coloring was Azinia Parsons representing Washington District and Shelby Williams, B-UIS, in the poster competition.

The residence of Sharon Wright, located at 9 College Ave., Buckhannon, was selected as the strawberry yard.

The highlight of today’s festival events is the Junior Royalty Parade scheduled to step off at 6:30 p.m. The parade showcases various youth groups from across the state who will compete for trophies and awards in several categories. The awards will be presented at the Main Street Inn side entrance under the canopy following the parade.

The second annual Strawberry Idol competition gets under way at 8:30 p.m. on the courthouse plaza. The spirit pin drawing is scheduled to take place on the courthouse plaza at 9 p.m.

Additional festival activities today through Saturday include the following:

TODAY

9 a.m.-10 p.m.: Coloring/Poster Contest Winners viewing, festival gift shop.

9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Photo Exhibit Stonewall Jackson Photo Club, Bill Kelley Inc.

9:30 a.m.: Homemade Ice Cream and Strawberry Shortcake, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 88 S. Kanawha St.

10 a.m.-10 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Gift Shop, 27 W. Main St.

10 a.m.: Diaper Derby, Jawbone Park.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: History Hitting the Road, Jawbone Park.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Craft Show, First Presbyterian Church, South Locust Street.

10:30 a.m.: Strawberry Blonde Contest (6 years and younger), Jawbone Park.

11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Concessions, various locations.

Noon: Checkers & Dominos Tournament, Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Kanawha St.

3 p.m.-Dark: Helicopter Rides, Bill Kelley Inc., back lot.

4:30 p.m.: Pet Show, Jawbone Park.

6 p.m.-9 p.m.: Juried Art Show, Stockert Youth Center.

6 p.m.-11 p.m.: Gambill Amusement Carnival, City Parking Lot.

6:30 p.m.: Junior Royalty Parade, Strawberry Lane.

After Parade: Junior Royalty Parade Awards Presentation, Main Street Inn.

8:30 p.m.: Strawberry Idol, Courthouse Plaza.

9 p.m.: Spirit Pin Drawing, Courthouse Plaza.

FRIDAY

7 a.m.-Noon: Strawberry Pancakes and Sausage, First United Methodist Church, 52 S. Florida St.

9 a.m.: Orchestra Competition, West Virginia Wesleyan College Chapel.

9 a.m.-11 p.m.: Coloring/Poster Contest Winners, viewing, Strawberry Festival Gift Shop.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Photo Exhibit Stonewall Jackson Photo Club, Bill Kelley Inc.

9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Strawberry Shortcake, American Legion, 16 S. Kanawha St.

9 a.m.-Midnight: Strawberry Festival Gift Shop, 27 W. Main St.

9 a.m.: Concert Band Competition, West Virginia Wesleyan College Auxiliary Gym

9 a.m.: Jazz/Stage Band Competition, West Virginia Wesleyan College Atkinson Auditorium.

9:30 a.m.: Homemade Ice Cream and Strawberry Shortcake, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 88 S. Kanawha St.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: History Hitting The Road, Jawbone Park.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: West Virginia Strawberry Festival Arts and Crafts, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Juried Art Show, Stockert Youth Center.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Craft Show, First Presbyterian Church, S. Locust Street.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Quilt Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

10 a.m.-9 p.m.: 4-H Strawberry Shortcake Sale, Episcopal Church, South Kanawha Street.

11 a.m.-Dark: Helicopter Rides, Bill Kelley Inc., back lot.

11 a.m.-Midnight: Concessions, various locations.

1 p.m.-Midnight: Gambill Amusement Carnival, City Parking Lot

1 p.m.: Recipe Contest Judging, Sir Charles Inn, 85 W. Main St.

2:30 p.m.: Strawberry Capping Championship and Crowning of Lord and Lady, Courthouse Plaza.

3 p.m.: Sweetest Berry Competition, Courthouse Plaza.

3:30 p.m.: Strawberry Basket Auction, Courthouse Plaza.

4 p.m.: Strawberry Auction, Courthouse Plaza.

4 p.m.- 8 p.m.: Antique Engine and Tractor Show, Stockert Youth Center.

5 p.m-9 p.m.: Cruise-In Car Show, NAPA Lot.

7 p.m.: Fireman’s Parade, Strawberry Lane.

After Parade: Strawberry Blonde Contest (open to adults only), Pie Eating Contest (6 years old and older) and Best Legs Contest (men only), Courthouse Plaza.

8 p.m.: Indoor Guard and Drill Competition, Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School gym.

8:30 p.m.: Strawberry Idol, Courthouse Plaza.

9 p.m.-Midnight: Strawberry Party Gras, Main Street

10 p.m.: Fireworks Display, Downtown Buckhannon.

10:30 p.m.: Spirit Pin Drawing, Strawberry Party Gras Main Stage on Main Street.

SATURDAY

7 a.m.-Noon: Strawberry Pancakes and Sausage, First United Methodist Church, 52 S. Florida St.

8 a.m.-Noon: Classic Car Show Registration, West Virginia Wesleyan College Camden Parking Lot.

9 a.m.: Dignitary Brunch (invitation only) West Virginia Wesleyan College Campus Center.

9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Antique Engine and Tractor Show, Stockert Youth Center.

9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Photo Exhibit Stonewall Jackson Photo Club, Bill Kelley Inc.

9 a.m.-Noon: Juried Art Show, Stockert Youth Center.

9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Strawberry Shortcake, American Legion, 16 S. Kanawha St.

9 a.m.-11 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Gift Shop, 27 W. Main St.

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.: Homemade Ice Cream and Strawberry Shortcake, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 88 S. Kanawha St.

10 a.m.: 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment Demonstration, National Guard Armory.

10 a.m.-Dark: Helicopter Rides, Bill Kelley Inc., back lot.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: History Hitting The Road, Jawbone Park.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: 4-H Strawberry Shortcake Sale, Episcopal Church, South Kanawha Street.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: 4-H Steak Sandwich Sale, Episcopal Church Lawn, South Kanawha Street.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Strawberry Festival Arts and Crafts, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Quilt Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College gymnasium.

10:30 a.m.: Strawberry Run Registration, Academy Primary School.

11 a.m.-Midnight: Gambill Amusement Carnival, City Parking Lot.

11 a.m.-Midnight: Concessions, various locations.

Noon-5 p.m.: Craft Show, First Presbyterian Church, South Locust Street.

Noon: Strawberry Run, Strawberry Lane.

12:15 p.m.: Classic Car Parade, Strawberry Lane.

1 p.m.: Grand Feature Parade, Strawberry Lane.

After Parade: Shriners Picnic and Awards Ceremony, Wendling Warehouse.

After Parade: Awards for Parade, West Virginia Wesleyan College Chapel steps.

2 p.m.-6 p.m.: Classic Car Show, West Virginia Wesleyan College Camden Parking Lot.

4 p.m.: Irish Road Bowling, Turkey Run Road.

6 p.m.: Field Show Exhibition and Competition, West Virginia Wesleyan College Football Stadium.

7:30 p.m.: Strawberry Idol Finals, Courthouse Plaza.

8 p.m.-Midnight: Strawberry Jamboree, Main Street.

10:30 p.m.: Spirit Pin Drawing, Main Stage at Strawberry Jamboree. 11 p.m.: Fireworks Display, Downtown Buckhannon.