(Written by Savannah Jones)
PRESTON COUNTY W.Va – The Arthurdale Heritage New Deal Festival is occurring Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., marking the 90th anniversary of the homestead community.
Arthurdale Heritage was the first of 100 homestead communities established by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt during the New Deal era in 1934, aiming to provide a new life for those affected by the Great Depression.
This year marks the 27th annual occurrence of the festival, and Preserve WV AmeriCorps member at Arthurdale Heritage Mary Linscheid said there is something in store for everyone.
“This is the 90th anniversary of Arthurdale, and Arthurdale was the first New Deal Homestead community in the nation, so we are pulling out all the stops for this weekend,” she said.
Those in attendance at the festival will be met with various West Virginia craft vendors and artisans, food trucks, a car show, activities for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., craft beer from High Ground Brewing, a petting zoo, a pie baking contest, and a hay ride pulled by a historic 1930s tractor.
The event will also feature various live musicians, including an evening concert with local singer-songwriter Andrew Adkins and the Sweaty Hands String Band in honor of the community’s anniversary.
“We’re super excited to announce that we’re having a special evening concert with Andrew Adkins, and Andrew Adkins is a West Virginia performer. He’s a wonderful songwriter, singer-songwriter, so hopefully everybody can come out for that. It will be quite a time,” Linscheid said.
Other musical acts include Americana acoustic rock band The Masons, country folk singer Chris Haddox, as well as two acts hailing from Morgantown: West Virginia Funk Trio Ya Honk and singer-songwriter Grace Campbell.
“We have Grace Campbell from Morgantown; she’s an up-and-coming performer. She’s a wonderful songwriter and singer; definitely come out to hear her,” Linscheid said.
Live music begins at 11 a.m. and runs until the conclusion of the festival.
“Bring your own chair or picnic blanket if you’re able if you want to sit in the shade and listen to some music throughout the day,” Linscheid said.
Admission to the event costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Children under four years old can enter for free. Admission is cash only, and many vendors also only accept cash.
Linscheid reminds those interested in attending the festival to bring their ID if planning to visit the beer tent, and that outside food and drink, as well as any animals that are not service animals, are prohibited.