The festival kicks off its annual event Thursday with flag raising ceremonies presented by VFW Post #4419 and the “Star Spangled Banner” performed by Natasha Patterson. The Queen’s Coronation will introduce all pageant winners to the community from the festival’s main stage at 6:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies will honor three of the five “Living Legend” awards to be presented during the festival’s four-day celebration. These awards will be given to organizations and/or individuals who have made contributions to the festival and Clay County over the years. The 2013 “Living Legend Awards” will be given to Retired Agriculture Commissioner Gus R. Douglas during the parade for providing the idea for a festival; Clay Lions Club who pioneered the festival and continues to provide support to the festival; Clay VFW Post #4419 who managed the festival for over twenty years and has provided flag raising ceremonies for 40 years; Bill Triplett will be awarded during his musical performance on Friday for being the festival entertainment coordinator from 1974 to 1997 and continuing to provide bluegrass music in Clay County and the fifth award will be given to Glada Lanham for her skills in quilting. Her festival displays of art in stitches started when she was a festival vendor selling quilts and fried pies and her quilting skills continue to win ribbons and awards each year at the annual quilt show. The 100th golden delicious apple birthday bash begins after opening ceremonies and features a crazy hat contest, birthday cake, balloons and the T&T Concert Production.
Quilt show registrations will be held Tuesday, September 17th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jubilee Mountain Church facility located at 321 Main Street (former H&R Block location). Winners will be announced during opening ceremonies and the quilt show will be open during the festival Thurs -Sat starting at 10 a.m.
Kids love fun! The most fun may be in learning to play ukuleles on Thursday at 6 & 8, seeing Big Bird Friday night at 7:00 p.m. or watching Batman on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Come early on Saturday for the CEF event with dogs doing tricks at 9:00 a.m. and maybe visit the amusement rides. Enjoy the parade at 1:00 on Saturday with cotton candy and stay for the fireworks. Sunday offers kids games at the DHHR with lots of fun prizes and Narin the live mermaid with Davi the magician.
Local farmers and crafters will once again be set up in front of the old Clay County Courthouse on Saturday only. It’s worth the climb up the stairs for Rustic Primitive Crafts, Jeanna’s delicious breads and Plain Jane’s country fixins’. Listen for the cow bell to lead the way to the Farmers and Crafters Market.
Jason Dawson will be performing Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (filling in for Ruggieri who had to cancel). Jason was recently in the top 100 American Idol contestants. His parents are Glen Dawson and Kim (Gill) Dawson. He is the grandson of Don and Kaye Gill of Valley Fork and the grandson of Janice McGrady and the late Paul Dawson. His acoustic group performs Indie style music in the Charleston area. Opening for Jason with a few songs will be Scotty Stone. Scotty is the son of Laurabeth Miller and Owen Frye and the grandson of Martha and Ell Deems all of Clay County. Scotty plays an Indie style of acoustic music and is eager for the chance to make his debut on the festival stage.
As the night falls on festival Friday and Saturday nights and the Solomon’s Secret cast prepares for their outdoor drama under the stars in Dundon, the Po’ Folks Cabaret will entertain the main stage crowd with drums, music, fire-breathing, magic and belly-dancing. Their performance was among the favorites in 2012. The road they’ve traveled has taken them around the country and back for another hometown performance this year. Finishing up the night on Saturday is the Pour House band. The musical talents of Steve Mullins, Hook Moore, John Thornton, “Sugar Ray” Edens and Robert Shaffer started this jam session band several years ago and it has become a mainstay in the Kanawha Valley.
The band will play before and after the fireworks Saturday night.
The full schedule of events can been seen in the festival brochure, posted in business windows, www.claygoldendeliciousfestival.com and in the annual program book. The CCHS Alumni gathering is Saturday evening from 5-8. Please note, the horseshoe contest has been cancelled for 2013. Shuttle bus service will be available on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until evening sponsored by the VFW Post 4419 and will run from CCHS to the Clay Farm Bureau and back about every 15 minutes except during the parade. Questions? Terri 304-651-7353; Vendors 304-587-7323; Quilt Show call 304-587-2597; Parade call 304-978-4141; Motorcycle Show call 304-332-5018; Car Show call Mike Evans at 304-286-5439; Solomon’s Secret call 304-587-4928; Golden Delicious Dash 5K Run 304-286-2248 (evenings); Pageants 304-389-3120; Geocaching 304-587-4254
The Board of Directors, officers, volunteers and sponsors welcomes everyone to the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival for “A Centennial Celebration” of the golden delicious apple September 19-22.
