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Jackson's Mill Jubilee Runs Friday through Sunday with Appalachian, Heritage Treats for Everyone

By Julie Perine on August 29, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

Once a year, WVU Jackson’s Mill near Weston is transformed into a mid-19th century scene, complete with Civil War skirmishes and encampments, antique tractors, engine and quilt displays and traditional Appalachian food and heritage music.
 
The occasion, of course, is the Jackson’s Mill Jubilee. The 45th annual event kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday.
 
Though there is plenty to interest history buffs, the event also features inflatable attractions for kids, a car show, horseback rides and definite crowd favorites – artisan and food vendors - selling everything from handcrafted baskets, pottery and fishing lures to apple butter, fresh-baked pies, roasted corn on the cob, apple dumplings, kettle corn, cheesesteaks, barbeque chicken and much more.
 
The ever-popular festival grows each year and people travel from miles around to experience it, said Chris Richards, executive director, Lewis County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
 
“People seem to love the Civil War reenactments and the blend of history with the arts and crafts and, of course, there’s always really good food,” Richards said. “We’ve heard from people coming from Pennsylvania, Ohio and other surrounding states.”
 
Among local artisans are Kara Tustin – who, through “Heart’s Content Antiques,” will sell an assortment of antique furniture and collectibles.
 
Albani St. Martin Brown's SMB Table will offer for sale homemade sweets such as mini-pies, cookies and pie babies, as well as barn quilts and recycled items
 
Brown said she started SMB Table in April of last year, just after the first teacher strike.
 
"I am a stay-at-home homeschooling Mama and wife to a local teacher. When things looked uncertain, I started baking pies to help our family," she said. The community seemed to realy enjoy the pie and so SMB Table was born. I am honored to be a vendor at the Jubilee this year. My family has been going to the Jubilee every year since I was a teen. It is an end-of-summer tradition for us. We have aways appreciated the work of local artists and creators, the wonderful folk music and food. Now, to be among those creators is special to me."
 
Other artisans will feature beaded jewelry, homemade soaps, stained glass, honey and homemade breads, children’s books, handcrafted wood and silver items and everything in between. Sixty-six artisans will be set up on the grounds. Upload a list HERE.
 
The jubilee is open 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. Friday. Admission is $5 per person with children age 3 and under admitted free. All artisans and food vendors will be open, as will ongoing Americana, bluegrass and Celtic music. Performing in the barn are Emerald Hills, The Vaughns, Middle C Vets, Jubilee House Band and various other artists.
 
Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. through 10 p.m. with even more activity, including Civil War skirmishes and encampments, parade of antique tractors, pie baking contest and sampling and a BBQ eating contest. There will also be musical workshop sessions for upright bass, rhythm guitar, banjo and mandolin. Performers include Johnny Staats, LC Blue, The Klines, Norfolk and Southern and the New Diesel Trio, among others.
 
Sunday’s schedule runs 9 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. featuring, in addition to artisans, vendors, reenactments and displays, square dancing and fiddle music, a gospel sing-a-long, old-fashioned church service and more entertainers – Prayzin’ Jesus, Tracy Miller, Denton King Family and Friends and the Glenville State College Bluegrass Band, among others.
 
Learn more about the Jubilee and download schedules, maps and information HERE.
 
Richards said festival goers may want to stop by the Jane Lew Arts and Crafts Festival which will be open all weekend on Hackers Creek Road, Exit 105 off I-79. There will be plenty of artisans and food vendors at that location also.
 
Editor's Note: 2018 photos are courtesy of the Jackson's Mill Jubilee. 



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