Debra Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, is the First Lady of Monongah because she is married to Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975, owner of Vandetta Construction. 

Town Recorder Patty Steele McCombs is married to Bill McCombs, Class of 1969, who knows more about the quality of Monongah’s water than anyone on this earth. Bill’s brother is Monongah fire chief Harless McCombs, Class of 1976, who is married to Monongah Middle School language arts teacher and children’s book author Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977.

Debbie and Patty have been involved with Monongahfest since 1988, the year it started when Danny Woods was Monongah’s mayor.

Quips Debbie: “The first Monongahfest was held on the back of a flat-bed trailer.”

They’ve come a LONG way since then.

Fairmont Times West Virginian editor John Veasey has an excellent story about Debbie, Patty and Mononghfest. Click on http://www.timeswv.com/news/our-town-debbie-vandetta-patty-mccombs-have-been-with-monongahfest/article_c1fdf0f8-3f12-11e5-8ece-4fa1c2e87097.html to read it.

Meanwhile, here’s what’s lined up for you at the 2015 Monongahfest:

FRIDAY, AUG. 14

Town-Wide Yard Sale, 
parking lot by the pavilion, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5 setup fee.

SATURDAY, AUG. 15
8 a.m. -- The Miner’s Run (3.61miles)  at Rails to Trails.  Registration begins at 6 a.m. (yawn!).
7 a.m. -- Country Breakfast in the Town Hall.
10 a.m. Pinball Tournament in the Fire Dept Meeting Room.
Noon – Parade.

1 p.m. – Invocation, National Anthem sung by  
Maddie Nickerson,  Recognitions and
Little Miss Monongahfest
Baby Photo Contest winners announced.
1:30 p.m. -- Fire Department Water Battle by the River Point.

2 p.m. -- Kids Hour. Mr. Twister (balloons).
2:30 p.m. -- Water Slide by the River Point sponsored by the Monongah 4-H Club.
3 p.m. -- Maddi Nickerson concert.

3 p.m. -- Corn Hole Tournament at Murray Field. $10 team entry fee.

4 p.m. -- Thistle & Tweed folk duo concert.

5:30 p.m. -- Flop in the Slop. A Tug of War Contest at the River Point. $10 per person (5 per team needed).
6 p.m. -- The Gamblers oldies music concert.
7:00 p.m. -- Duck Race on the river. Watch from the Bridge.

8 p.m. --  Jenna Won’t Sing Band, more oldies music.

10 p.m. – Fireworks.

SUNDAY, AUG. 16

Annual Car Show. Parking Lot at the tent.
Registration starts at 11 a.m.; show begins at 1 p.m.