Preston County Buckwheat Festival

Preston County Buckwheat Festival is an annual agricultural celebration held in Kingwood, the county seat of Preston County, West Virginia. Established in 1938, the multi-day event honors the region's historical cultivation of buckwheat and serves as a major community gathering. It features a wide array of activities including parades, carnival rides, live entertainment, and culinary events centered on buckwheat cakes. The festival is traditionally held during the last full weekend of September, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the Appalachian region.

History

The festival originated in 1938 as an initiative by the Kingwood Lions Club to promote local agriculture and boost community morale during the economic challenges following the Great Depression. Its creation was influenced by the success of other regional harvest festivals like the Mountain State Forest Festival in Pendleton County. Early celebrations were modest, focusing on farm displays and a community meal. The event was suspended during World War II but resumed in 1946, growing in scale and complexity throughout the post-war era. Key figures in its early development included local businessmen and agricultural agents from the West Virginia University Extension Service. The festival has been held annually since its revival, with its continuity only briefly interrupted by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Events and activities

The festival schedule is packed with traditional and contemporary attractions. The centerpiece is the Grand Feature Parade, one of the largest in West Virginia, featuring marching bands from schools like Preston High School, elaborate floats, and equestrian units. A central culinary tradition is the serving of buckwheat cakes with sausage, prepared by the Kingwood Lions Club. Other highlights include the coronation of the Buckwheat Festival Queen, a carnival midway operated by companies like Reithoffer Shows, and live musical performances spanning genres from bluegrass to country music. Competitive events include agricultural exhibits, a rodeo, and arts and crafts shows juried by organizations such as the Preston County Arts Council.

Cultural significance

The festival functions as a vital repository of regional Appalachian culture and heritage. It reinforces community identity by celebrating the historical importance of buckwheat farming, a crop once pivotal to the local economy before the dominance of coal mining. Rituals like the royal coronation and the Grand Feature Parade foster intergenerational continuity and civic pride. The event also showcases traditional arts, including quilting demonstrations and old-time music performances, preserving customs that might otherwise diminish. It is frequently covered by state media outlets like the Charleston Gazette-Mail and WBOY-TV, cementing its status as a signature West Virginia cultural event.

Economic impact

The festival provides a substantial annual boost to the local economy in Preston County and surrounding areas. It generates significant revenue for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and retail stores in Kingwood and neighboring towns like Terra Alta. Vendor fees, sponsorship from corporations like First Energy and Mountain State Brewing Company, and gate admissions contribute directly to the festival's operating budget. The influx of visitors supports seasonal employment and provides a platform for local artisans and farmers to market their products. Economists from West Virginia University have cited the event as a model for rural tourism development within the state.

Organization and leadership

The festival is organized by the Preston County Buckwheat Festival Association, a non-profit board of directors composed of community volunteers. Day-to-day operations and specific events are managed by various committees, such as the parade committee and the coronation committee, which coordinate with entities like the City of Kingwood and the Preston County Sheriff's Department. Leadership has historically been drawn from local business, educational, and civic leaders, including past presidents of the Kingwood Lions Club. The association works in partnership with the Preston County Commission and the West Virginia Department of Tourism to ensure the event's promotion and logistical success, relying on hundreds of volunteers from organizations such as the Future Farmers of America and local churches.

Category:Festivals in West Virginia Category:Kingwood, West Virginia Category:Agricultural shows in the United States Category:Recurring events established in 1938