Published: August 23, 2007 10:22 pm         

Appalachian Festival kicks off

Friends — new and old — pack streets for Taste of Appalachia

Lesa Williams and Kim Jenkins may have had to stand in line for a half hour in the heat to get their sugar-covered fingers on a funnel cake Thursday evening, but for them, it was worth the wait.

“It’s the best in Beckley!” Williams exclaimed.

People like Williams and Jenkins packed Main Street Thursday evening for Taste of Appalachia, the kickoff event for the Appalachian Festival. Vendors from across the region lined the streets selling fresh produce, wine, barbecue and even fried green tomatoes.

Williams and Jenkins, friends and co-workers at Access Health in Beckley, said they were simply looking for something to do Thursday, so Williams brought Jenkins for her first Taste of Appalachia.

“It’s the food,” Jenkins said of what made the two come out.

“The food. Exactly,” Williams seconded.

However, food was not the only attraction, they noted. The two sat on a Main Street sidewalk as they ate and watched all the people filing beside them. The women said they had the chance to see old friends, co-workers and several business acquaintances.

“People need to come out and support the town of Beckley,” Williams said. “We need more events like this. If people don’t participate and show their interest, we won’t have things like this.”

“It’s good, clean fun,” Jenkins said. “I have not seen one person with a frown on.”

“If they’re not happy, we’ll make them happy,” Williams said, laughing.

Cool Ridge resident Patty Clemens and her 15-year-old daughter Ashley were taking the opportunity to spend time together before Ashley starts school next week.

“Everyone just gets together and hangs out,” Ashley said as she nibbled on shaved ice with root beer. “It’s a nice way to show the town coming together and let everyone enjoy themselves.”

Becki Burks, whose husband John owns Big John’s Barbecue in Beckley, said businesses coming to the festival — as theirs has done the past four or five years — have the chance to not only make money, but further build their clientele.

Sam and Stephanie Lilly of Beaver were ready to sample the Tamarack’s fried green tomato sandwich. Stephanie Lilly was eating for two — she is 6 1/2 months pregnant with a baby boy the two plan to name Trace Samuel.

“It’s good to get out and walk when you’re pregnant,” she said.

The Appalachian Festival continues through Sunday. The Appalachian Arts and Crafts Fair begins at 10 a.m. today at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The winners of the Taste of Appalachia’s food contest were:

-- Appetizer, first place, Edible Concession, sausage wontons; second, R&L Grill, Southwest chicken egg roll; third, Chick-Fil-A, chicken nuggets.

-- Entree, first place, Foster’s, steak fajita; second, Rimfire Grill, baby back ribs; third, R&L Grill, black and orange roughy.

-- Sandwich, first place, Joey and George’s, chicken and bacon ranch wrap; second, Tamarack, fried green tomato sandwich; third, R&L Grill, Philly steak wedge.

-- Dessert, first place, Edible Arrangements, dipped fruit; second, Joey and George’s, cheesecake; third, NAACP Youth, candy popcorn.

-- Booths, first place, Sam’s Club; second, Tamarack; third, Mountain State University.

-- People’s choice, first place, Big John’s Barbecue; second, R&L Grill.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com