Published: April 25, 2008 12:12 pm         

16th annual Spring Mountain Festival gets rolling today in Petersburg

PETERSBURG, W.Va. - The 16th annual Spring Mountain Festival, sponsored by the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, will be held in Petersburg today, tomorrow and Sunday with many activities planned.

The festival flea market opens the festivities today at 2 p.m. at Petersburg Motor Co. on Main Street with the activities in the City Park beginning at 5 p.m. Friday evening features the Little Miss and Mr. Pageants followed by the "Take It or Leave It" game show, similar to the ever-popular "Deal or no Deal." Each contestant will have the opportunity to win $1,000. Those wishing to be contestants can register at the park before the event beginning at 6 p.m.

Saturday morning the festival opens with the flea market and 10K and 5K runs and walks at 8 a.m. The festival grounds open at 9 a.m. with the parade beginning at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at Petersburg High School and end at the festival grounds. Opening ceremonies from the festival stage will take place following the parade.

Cartoon Headquarters will perform two shows on Saturday - one at 11:15 a.m. and the other at 2:15 p.m. This group will feature many favorite cartoon characters including the Chipmunks, Mickey and Minnie, Elmo, Spongebob, Dora, Diego, and others. Members of the audience will take part in the show. Other entertainment during the weekend are of Josh Oldaker, Hole In The Bucket Band, local gospel performers, and Petersburg's very own Julia Burton. Burton grew up in Petersburg and is a former Miss West Virginia, WVU alumna, and Nashville recording artist. Burton endorses Peavey sound equipment worldwide.

Saturday evening activities include banjo and fiddle contests with monetary awards to be presented to winners and bluegrass music by Lonesome Highway.

Events on Sunday begin at 8 a.m. with a fly-in/drive-in breakfast at the Grant County Airport and the flea market opens. A motorcycle show begins at noon. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. and then all riders are invited to join the motorcycle ride to benefit Grant County Hospice.

An antique car, truck, tractor and engine show begins at 1 p.m. just outside of the festival grounds. Residents are encouraged to bring their antique for display or come see others on display. Josh Oldaker will perform a set of gospel music from the festival stage beginning at 1 p.m., followed by members of the community performing gospel music.

In addition to the activities taking place on the main stage there will be numerous food and craft vendors, a NASCAR race simulator, a monster truck display, inflatable rides, rock climbing wall, reptile display and other activities.

South Side Depot will offer Civil War train rides featuring skits and stories of the War Between the States. Departure times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Contests and tournaments include basketball, turkey calling, healthy fast food, and banjo and fiddle.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit the Grant County Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.gowv.com.