Festival Salutes River Life
Cheat Fest is set for this weekend
Morgantown Dominion Post
5 May 2011
TICKETS to Cheat Fest are $15 at the gate. Children under 12 are
admitted free with an adult. Gate opens at noon. To get there, take
Interstate 68 East to the Bruceton Mills exit. Turn right onto W.Va. 26
South and drive about 10 miles. Look for signs for Cheat Fest on the
right. Dogs are not permitted at Cheat Fest. Info: cheat.org or
304-329-3621.
The Cheat River provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor
activities, and so does the festival that supports it.
Those interested in attending Cheat Fest can grab a paddle, a pair of
running shoes, a lawn chair, or any combination of the three, when
setting out for Friends of the Cheat’s (FOC) annual fundraiser.
Cheat Fest kicks off with a downriver race at 5:15 p.m. Friday that
will take about 150 boaters on a ride through the river’s canyon. One
competition will be followed by another; at 10 a.m. Saturday, there
will be a 5K foot race at Preston County Country Club. At noon that
same day, musicians, vendors and artisans will come together just
outside of Albright at FOC’s festival grounds.
The main event lasts until 11 p.m. and is intended to include something
for everyone. Vendors will offer paddle sports gear, arts and crafts,
green technology, and outdoor services. There will be an
environmental-education program including live birds of prey from the
West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center. A kids’ area will offer
free, hands-on activities, and there will be a dunking booth.
And then there are the musical acts, which play from 1-11 p.m. New to
the festival this year, but not the state, is Johnson’s Crossroad. This
group came together in West Virginia and has since taken its bluegrass,
old-time stylings to Asheville, N.C. Also new to the Cheat Fest stage
will be Cello Fury, Rising Regina and The 23 String Band. They will be
joined by Jammin’ Round, Stewed Mulligan, Aurora Celtic and Halftime
String Band.
Those familiar with the 17-year-old festival will note another new
addition besides the bands — the FOC Consignment Area. Here, the public
can donate outdoor gear items or place them on consignment with
volunteers for sale during the festival. Sellers will determine the
price, or price range, and FOC will receive 30 percent of that. There
will also be a recycling station for unusable inflatable and hard-
river boats and life jackets.
Festival goers can also purchase chances to win a wide variety of items
from Patagonia gear and CDs to fine art and gift certificates.
All proceeds from Cheat Fest go toward FOC’s mission to preserve,
restore and promote the Cheat River.
“The Cheat River Festival is FOC’s main fundraiser of the year,” said
festival coordinator Janet Lenox.
“As water is essential to life, this festival and regular donations
throughout the year from individuals, business and corporate sponsors
are critical to maintaining the life of the organization. As more
potential environmental threats are embarking upon the watershed, our
small staff and funding for operational expenses are stretched to its
limits. We hope you can show your support by coming out to the festival
and celebrating with us the renewal of life in both the watershed and
the season. ”