West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals Holds Annual Convention

The West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals (WVAFF) Annual Convention was held Jan. 11-12, at the Charleston Marriott, Charleston Civic Center, and Charleston Municipal Auditorium in Charleston, W.Va. Over 1,500 people attended the convention from West Virginia fairs and festivals and associate members. The theme for the 2008 convention was “West Virginia Fairs and Festivals, There’s One for You.” The convention featured a trade show, showcase entertainment, workshops, a queen’s pageant, and a business meeting.

A contest was held among the trade show vendors to use the convention theme in the booth decoration. The first place booth and winner of a 2008-2009 associate membership was Heaven’s Rush.  The second place booth was presented by Enoch Entertainment Agency and the third place booth was designed by Barbara Lynn & the Silver Eagles Band. Heaven’s Rush also won the President’s Choice Award.

The featured educational session was an IAFE Workshop presented by Ron Beckey, retired from the North Florida Fair, Tallahassee, Fla. Beckey presented “Secrets on How Fairs and Festivals Can Get Along Better with TV, Radio, and Newspaper.” Other workshop topics at the convention included “Economic Impact Studies,” “Safety of Food Products at Your Event,” “Competitive & Attractive Exhibits,” and “West Virginia Division of Tourism Matching Grant Program.”

The queen pageant consisted of 79 contestants from fairs and festivals throughout the state. Each contestant competed in street wear, event promotion, personal interview, and evening gown. The 2008 Queen is Heather Hostutler representing the West Virginia Strawberry Festival. Queen Hostutler is a junior at West Virginia University and majoring in Exercise Physiology. The first runner-up was Stacey Gleason of the Ripley 4th of July Celebration, the second runner-up is Brittany Alberts of the West Virginia Rib Fest, third runner-up is Jessi Pierson of the Cabell County Fair and the fourth runner-up is Jessica Schueler of the West Virginia Timber & Wood Products Show.  Miss Congeniality was Sheena Miller of the Salem Apple Butter Festival.

At an award ceremony, the Hall of Fame Award was presented to Jean Smith of the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair. Ms. Smith is the state pageant director. The Friends of the Fairs & Festivals Award went to Nancy and Jim Baumberger from Titusville, Fla., formerly with the Tyler County Fair. Jim had recently passed away from a long illness The Baumbergers co-chaired West Virginia Day in Titusville each year and managed the Indian River Festival as Jim’s illness allowed.

The officers for the WVAFF are President Don McCroskey of the W. Va. Pumpkin Festival, First Vice President Dick Waybright of the W. Va. Timber & Wood Products Show, Second Vice President Ruth Taylor of the Little Level’s Heritage Fair, Secretary Debra Gard of the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, Treasurer Mike Beller of the Putnam County Fair, Parliamentarian Gary Bolyard of the Taylor County Fair, State Fair of West Virginia Representative Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, and Associate Member Representative Paul Garey of Garey & Wellman & Marshall County Fair.

The 2009 WVAFF Convention will be held Jan. 9-10, at the Charleston Marriott in Charleston, W.Va.