Christina Hines pictured with her children, grandchildren, and employees. From left to right, starting in the back: Johnny Sheets, Ryanna Hines, Ellanora Hines, Charlotte McCartney, Christina Hines, MaraBeth Hines, Ryan Booth, Trapper McCartney, and Hunter McCartney.
Strawberry Festival King Avery Starkey and his court.
The Buckhannon-Upshur High School Band plays in the rain.
A Ford Edsel Ranger cruises in the Antique Car Parade.
A Chevrolet Bel Air makes its way through the parade.
The 2023 Strawberry Festival teen and hostess princesses wave to spectators from a float in the Grand Feature Parade on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Buckhannon.
The West Virginia University Mountaineer walks the parade route.
Christina Hines pictured with her children, grandchildren, and employees. From left to right, starting in the back: Johnny Sheets, Ryanna Hines, Ellanora Hines, Charlotte McCartney, Christina Hines, MaraBeth Hines, Ryan Booth, Trapper McCartney, and Hunter McCartney.
Jim Stalnaker's car, a 1925 T Bucket.
Members of the Mountaineer Patrol.
Barbour County Strutters Baton and Dance Team
Members of BuckhanaCon waiting for the Grand Feature Parade to begin.
BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (WV News) — The 81st West Virginia Strawberry Festival did not let the dreary weather stop the festivities Saturday. Both the Antique Car and Engine Parade and the Grand Feature Parade persevered through stormy conditions.
Though the Car Parade was short, the vehicles in the lineup left an impression on the crowd. And after the Grand Feature Parade, the vehicles made their way back to Main Street for the evening Car Show.
Jim Stalnaker, president of Buckhannon’s Classic Wheels Car Club, has a passion for old automobiles.
“I’ve participated in some way in the festival since I was kid. Getting to be with the cars now, I love it. It doesn’t get any better than old cars,” Stalnaker said. “I’ve been with the car club for eight years, and in that time, I’ve built connections with the other guys at the Car Parade and Car Show. I enjoy getting to bring my vehicle and watching people’s faces light up when they see it. Letting the little kids sit in it and check out something new is super fun for me.”
Sponsoring the Antique Car Parade and Show was Performance Chevrolet of Elkins.
The dealership enjoys being involved in local events, said General Manager and Dealer Christina Hines.
“We’ve been sponsoring the event for four years. Performance Chevrolet is all about building our community. The parade and show allow us to meet with other car enthusiasts and build connections with them,” Hines said. “Personally, I have a lot of memories at the Strawberry Festival, and my favorite one would be getting to have all my grandchildren here this year.”
Members of the first-year Grand Feature Parade participant, BuckhanaCon, let their light shine through to those watching the parade. Founder Catherine Fultz explained why BuckhanaCon likes to participate.
“It helps us get the word out about BuckhanaCon—Buckhannon’s first and only Comic-Con-style convention. This is a place where everyone of any fandom is welcome, and we want to showcase that with our diverse group of individuals.”
The Barbour County Strutters Baton and Dance Team have been twirling and dancing in the Grand Feature Parade for over two decades. Director Patty Delauder shared an emotional memory that came just two days before at the Junior Royalty Parade.
“The theme of the Strawberry Festival is Strawberry Freedom, and we wear patriotic colors to honor those who have served our country. We have all patriotic songs in our lineup this year, and when our group came through the opening of the parade, all the veterans were standing up to salute the flag our color guard carries.”
Ed Moss, President of the Mountaineer Patrol from Morgantown, West Virginia, described why his group marches in the Strawberry Festival.
“We march in parades representing the Shrine; the Shrine is a Masonic group that raises money for kids in hospitals.” Moss said. “We love coming to the Strawberry Festival and seeing all the different floats, new faces, and raising money.”
Groups from Ohio and Pennsylvania joined in on the fun in the Grand Feature Parade. Multiple high school bands, including Buckhannon-Upshur, Elkins, North Marion, and Ravenswood all played through the rain. The drum and bugle corps kept parade watchers entertained with their high energy and personable songs.
The 81st Strawberry Festival will conclude on Sunday, May 21. The final events being held are the Mountaineer Strawberry Pistol Championship, the Jack Barker Canoe Race, and Irish Road Bowling. The closing ceremony will be at 4 p.m. at the Upshur County Courthouse Plaza.
Amelia Pearson may be reached at apearson@wvnews.com.
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