Monongahfest Pinball Tournament gets attention in Morgantown


By Ann Kennell

Morgantown Dominion-Post

 

MONONGAH — What began as a childhood passion for Scott Reppert has evolved into a lifelong pastime — and one that he hopes to share with others through the second Monongahfest Pinball Tournament on Aug. 15.

The International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA)-sanctioned event is coordinated by the Mountaineer Pinball Association (MPA).

Reppert, one of MPA’s founders, has been playing pinball for as long as he can remember.

“My mother was in a bowling league and would take me to the bowling alley with her and she would give me a bunch of nickels to go play pinball until she was done bowling,” Reppert said.

He added that he started playing when he was about 5 or 6 years old. A few years later, Reppert got the best gift — one he couldn’t believe.

“When I was 15 years old, my parents took me to go get one of my Christmas presents, and it turned out to be a pinball machine,” Reppert said.

From that day on, he spent every weekend in the basement playing pinball and listening to records with his friends and family.

And he’s been working to spread his love of the game ever since.

“I started the association to bring the knowledge and fun of pinball to West Virginia,” he said.

The pinball tournament is a place for people of all ages and skill levels. The event lasts all day, and there are pinball machines available for people who just want to play and not compete.

The Monongahfest Pinball Tournament is set for Aug. 15 at the Monongah Volunteer Fire Department. Doors open at 9 a.m. and qualifying play starts at 9:30 a.m. At 4 p.m., the qualifying stops and the finals begin.

The Monongahfest Pinball Tournament is a small part of the extensive Monongahfest weekend that includes a town-wide yard sale, a car show and the Monongahfest itself. This baby has grown into a King Kong since its start in 1988.

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.