16th Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

ROWLESBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – On Sunday, Oct. 13, the 16th West Virginia Chestnut Festival will begin at 9 a.m. with chestnuts roasting on an open fire in the beautiful Rowlesburg Community Park.

Roasters will be firing up the coals since daybreak to be sure the fire is hot enough to cook those nuts to a mellow goodness. Until all nuts have been roasted there will be a steady queue of expectant fans awaiting the taste of that first morsel. Also, in the park, there will be Chestnut vendors selling handmade chestnut furniture and other useful items, arts and crafts, locally sewn quilts, honey, and, of course, chestnut seedlings. The park will be a hive of good will, laughter, music, and activity throughout the day.

From 9-11 a.m. in the Historic Rowlesburg School Szilagyi Center volunteers will serve a full breakfast in River City Café. On the menu will be orange juice, biscuits and gravy, sausage n egg casserole, coffee, iced tea, and various pastries and desserts, including chestnut/chocolate mousse. A donation is requested.

At noon, The West Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will have their annual meeting in the conference room. Following this meeting will be the Scientific and technical session where the latest developments in the efforts to restore the American Chestnut Tree to forests and farms throughout the eastern United States will be presented and discussed. Jeff Kochenderfer, USDA Forester, will present “Establishing a Germplasm Conservation Orchard (GCO) in Central West Virginia” and Dr. Melissa Thomas Van-Gundy USDA Forester, will present “A Decade of Growth at Two Hybrid American Chestnut Plantings in West Virginia”. The public is welcome to attend these sessions.

While you’re in the building, we invite you to visit the World War 11 Museum, B&O Smithsonian Railroad Exhibit, Preston County Sports Museum, River City Café, River Bend Pottery Studio, and explore the many displays featured on two floors of the Historic Rowlesburg School Szilagyi Center.

Finally, the Gala Chestnut Banquet will be held in the auditorium at 5:00 PM featuring a sumptuous variety of gastronomical delights. The annual ritual of “blessing the new wine” or “Chestnut-Vino Novello” will be observed, as well as the crowning of Dr. Lewis Cook and Vicki Miles Cook as “Mr. and Ms. Chestnut”. Tickets for the banquet can be purchased throughout the day at the welcome table or at the door. Vendor space is available.  Please contact George Nassif for more information at nassifgs@hotmail.com or call 703-300-2554.

Visit https://wvchestnutfestival.com/ for the most up-to-date festival news.

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