RRC,Inc., Mayor Barbara Banister and Town Council invite you to attend the The West Virigina 6^th Annual WV Chestnut Festival, October 9, 2016. Preston County individuals and businesses send congratulations to the 6h Annual WV Chestnut Festival. The Chestnut Festival event will take place in the famous Rowlesburg Park and in the Szilagyi Center from 10:30AM to 7:30PM.

The annual event is hosted by the RRC and Dr. Joseph Nassif, founder of the festival. Don’t miss the glory of autumn as crowds gather in Rowlesburg  to celebrate the  “Great American Chestnut Tree: Exploring our Roots.”

 

WEST VIRGINIA CHESTNUT FESTIVAL

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Come to Rowlesburg, WV.

Enjoy one of only two public Chestnut Festivals on the East Coast, in Rowlesburg, WV, the “little town on the scenic Cheat River.” The 9th Annual Chestnut Festival takes place rain or shine. It’s the Fall time of year and the Glory of Autumn will be on display in the nearby surrounding hills.

The theme of the 9th Annual Chestnut Festival is, “Honoring the research scientists and the heritage of our former ‘giant’ hardwood tree, the Great American Chestnut Tree.” Research scientists are dedicated to restoring hybrid American Chestnut Trees to their former native habitat, that dominated the hills of the 16 Appalachian States from Maine to Georgia.

The Festival kicks off with a full breakfast in the River City Café, 10:30 a.m. until noon ($5 donation requested). Attendees will have an opportunity to meet our distinguished guests, including Dr. Don Kines, Chestnut researcher and founder of “Mountain State Chestnuts” (mountainstatechestnuts.com). Dr. Kines will autograph copies of his brochure. Also attending is Lisa Thomson (or rep), CEO and President, The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), headquartered in Asheville, NC.

Park Activities on the Bank of the Cheat River.

Park activities are planned for all ages and for all types of interest. They will take place in the Scenic Rowlesburg Park by the Cheat River, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Activities include, sampling and purchasing delicious chestnuts roasted on an open fire; chestnut vendors and other vendors selling their crafts and wares; purchasing of various chestnut saplings for planting; networking with chestnut researchers. Food and beverages will be available at the Park Concession Stand.

Chestnut activities in the nearby Szilagyi Creative Arts Center. The public is invited to attend the West Virginia Chapter meeting noon – 2:00 p.m. Robert Sypolt, president, and Mark Double, vice, will be presiding.

Another Chestnut program, always well attended by the public, is the Scientific session, held 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m, The presenters will be hosted by Mark Double, WVU research associate, assisted by Dr. William MacDonald, and Dr. Joseph Nassif, Festival Director. Featured prominent speakers are Cameron Stauder and Maggie DeWeirdt. Cameron Stauder, WVU graduate assistant, will be speaking on what might be termed a marriage encounter, “The Role of Tree Resistance and Pathogen Virulence in the Chestnut Blight Disease.” For you food aficionados, you won’t want to miss Maggie Deweirdt’s powerpoint demonstration, “Cooking with Chestnuts.” Did you know that chestnuts are one of nature’s most nutritious foods, containing a high quality protein equal to an egg, yet containing no cholesterol !

Other Szilagyi Center exhibits open to the public include, the acclaimed World War II Museum and the famed 1927 Centenary Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge Exhibit. The River City Café will be open all day and will be serving lunch and delicious desserts.

The Gala Chestnut Dinner Banquet 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

At the gala dinner, the 9th Annual Crowning of our Chestnut Royalty will take place by honoring “Mr. Chestnut and Madam Chestnut,” Dr. Fred Hebard and Dayle Zanzinger. They will be assisted by a Junior Prince and Princess from the Aurora Middle School. Dr. Hebard has served 27 years as a preeminent and dominant research scientist for The American Chestnut Foundation. Distinguished dinner guests include the keynote speaker, Dr. Don Kines, speaking on, “ Developing American chestnut Hybrids for Timber, Wildlife, and Nut Production.” Master of Ceremonies will be Dr. N. Joseph Nassif, Festival Director and Shirley Cook Hartley, Festival Co-chair.

The Festival is hosted by the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee (RRC), Tourism Commission, and the Town of Rowlesburg.

For vendor space, Email Ellie at ellienesser@yahoo.com. For more information and/or to reserve banquet dinner tickets, contact Shirley Hartley, (304) 329-1240, shirley.hartley@yahoo.com; Joseph Nassif, njn3@msn.com; or Anna Nassif, (304) 454-9786, annarnas@aol.com. Visit one of our websites at: www.rowlesburg.info; www.wvchestnutfestival.com; www.rowlesburg.org; www.rowlesburgguide.com.