The 73rd Annual Preston County Buckwheat Festival.
Yes. Buckwheat. A WHOLE festival dedicated to buckwheat. What fun!
Kingwood, WV is one of those little towns I wish I could spend the rest of my life in. I actually kind of wish I’d been born and raised there, after spending a day among the town’s citizens. As a tourist watching one of the many parades that go on during the week long celebration of the simple grain, I felt like a spectator while other viewers around me shouted to friends and loved ones that participated in the parade, and hugged clowns as they passed, who were actually long-time friends and acquaintances.
How wonderful it would be to grow up in such a small, idyllic American town that pays tribute to the agricultural achievements of the county in which it resides, in lieu of holding an annual county fair.
The festival, however, is Preston County’s fair, with the usual midway rides and games…
…livestock competitions…
The bahh-bahh shop.
…crafts, and exhibits…
…food vendors…
Of course, when I saw people walking around with ears of corn on sticks, sprinkled with Old Bay, all I could think of was my favorite Jack Black line from the movie Nacho Libre, “GET that corn outta my face!”
…but with a parade…
…and lots and lots of buckwheat cakes thrown in.
I found mine at a little diner that just opened in Kingwood called Down Home Diner. They had all-you-can-eat buckwheat cakes.
As it turns out, I couldn’t eat very many, but they were perfectly delicious which made my Buckwheat Festival day. Great with endless cups of coffee and a view of the parade!
Jocelyn
October 4, 2014
It looks wonderful!