Fairmont Times article on the 30^th Monongahfest.

 

Monongahfest returns

Monongah locals gather for 30th year of festival

By Kaitlyn Neff | Times West Virginian

MONONGAH — Monongah natives, current residents and the surrounding community gathered for the annual Monongahfest, featuring an entire weekend of fun for the whole family.

Although the festival only lasts for a weekend, it takes a lot of work to plan and put together the annual event each year. Debbie Vandetta has helped lead the planning committee since 1988 and shared just how much work it can be, but she said it’s always worth it.

“This is actually our 30th year having the festival,” Vandetta said. “It’s a lot of work, but at this point now it’s like everybody has their assigned jobs and we kind of just go with the usual flow. We just need more help, especially the day of the festival getting it all put together.”

The event began on Friday with the town-wide yard sale in the parking lot by the pavilion from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Saturday, the festival began with a country breakfast at the town hall sponsored by TLC Ministries and the parade on Main Street. The opening ceremony consisted of an invocation by Sabrina Haught, the pastor at TLC Ministries, and a singing performance of the National Anthem by Whitney O’Dell followed by the Little Miss Monongahfest and Baby Photo Contest.

This year’s Little Miss Monongahfest contests were Maci Singleton, Kynlie Roach, Macy Eddy, Brianna Fleming and Aubree Nicholson. The girls performed a dance routine and chose a rose to determine who would be the 2018 Little Miss Monongahfest with Brianna Fleming claiming the title.

Baby Photo Contest participants included Adilynn Hulderman, Carter Richards, Kaylee Ramsey, Ashton Closson, Ben Herron, Lexi Roach, Liviana VanGilder and Dorothy Richards. Lexi Roach claimed the overall prize.

The rest of the events on Saturday included the Kickin’ It Country line dancers, “kids funtime” under the tent, a corn hole tournament, duck race on the river, the annual “Flop in the Slop” tug-of-war contest, live music by Ronnie Burroughs, the kids Power Wheels Derby, a performance of some oldies tunes by Jenna Won’t Sing and fireworks at the river point to end the day.

There were also crafts and vendors, food booths, children’s games, the Monongah History News Stand, zip lining, rock climbing, a dunking machine and other available activities.

While there are many festivals in and around Marion County, Vandetta explained that when it comes to Monongahfest, it stands out from the rest.

“I think Monongahfest is unique because we are such a small town that it’s more like a homecoming and people come because our lives are so busy that we don’t take time to visit our neighbors as much as we should,” Vandetta said. “At the Monongahfest, people come out and spend the day. We do have other people who attend, but it’s mostly Monongah residents and former Monongah residents, people who are out of state and come back. To me, I think that’s it because very seldom do you see people here that you don’t know.”

The fun will continue tomorrow in Monongah for the final day featuring the annual car show. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the show will start at 1 p.m.