Annual Arts and Crafts Festival back after year of COVID | News, Sports, Jobs

PARKERSBURG — After a year off due to COVID, the Harvest Moon Arts and Crafts Festival returned to City Park in Parkersburg over the weekend.

The rain held off Saturday afternoon, while Sunday was sunny and clear for the event, at which more than 50 artisans displayed and sold their wares.

Train rides and inflatables were available as entertainment for kids. The Parkersburg Art Center set up a Paint and Take booth where children could paint small items and pottery-making demonstrations were shown.

There were also several bands and performers at the two-day event, with Parkersburg South High School Southern Bells, Parkersburg High School Red Wings, Track 9, Sour Mash String Band, Smith Family Singers, Insured Sound and Band of Brothers all taking part.

The festival serves as a fundraiser for the Wood County Recreation Commission, said Wood County Recreation Director Andy Hartleben.

The arts and crafts available were at center stage, with woodworking, jewelry, painting, photography, soaps, wreath-making and more all being sold by various vendors.

Christine Songo, a Parkersburg resident and juried Tamarack artisan, uses precious gemstones and silver and gold wire to create different jewelry.

Songo said she started making the pieces as a way to keep busy and occupy time after becoming permanently disabled while serving in the military.

“I love making the jewelry though, it has really become my passion,” she said.

Kiera Theobald, a recent high school graduate, took her stained glass-working skills to a craft show for the first time. She said her grandfather, who had been working in stained glass for 47 years, taught her.

Photo by Madeline Scarborough
Sophia Skidmore, 3, plays on inflatables at the Harvest Moon Festival Saturday.

“It’s been pretty good so far,” she said about her first event as a vendor.

Kay Greathouse of K&K Creations, said while the crowd wasn’t as large as in the past, she was seeing more purchases.

“It’s been pretty good, there’s a lot of buyers,” she said.

Jody Sperry of JoMax Jewelry, an 18-year vendor at the show, said it was slower than in previous years.

“I’m hoping it will be bigger and better next year,” she said. “This is usually one of my best shows.”

Kelly Williamson of Mystic Moon, cited the pandemic and everyone being extra cautious as a reason for a smaller turnout.

“Everyone’s still being safe and social distancing,” she said.

Stacia Colleen of Stacia Colleen Design, who was displaying lamps made out of household items like old cameras and phones, said the event had been good.

“We’ve gotten good sales and a good response to our product,” she said.

Rachel Beezel of Keep It Natural With Rachel, who also sells her products at Peddler’s Junction in Belpre, said Saturday had been a good day.

Photo by Madeline Scarborough
Kiera Theobald gave live
demonstrations of how she makes stained glass items Saturday
during the Harvest Moon Festival at Parkersburg City Park.

“It’s been very well. I was very busy,” she said.