By Stephen Smoot
Ready for a poultry party? Ready to check out some chicken and talk a little turkey?
If so, the area will soon hold its annual celebration of the area’s most important industry as it hosts the West Virginia Poultry Festival. As West Virginia Poultry Association President Ward Malcolm emphasized, “this is not just a Hardy County thing. It’s for all of the folks around here.”
The festivities come after a year of struggle as poultry farmers feared the possible spread of avian influenza. Mass killing of birds sparked a temporary hike in the price of eggs that has since dissipated in most areas.
Fortunately, West Virginia’s commitment to biosecurity in poultry operations helped to limit affected flocks to a single backyard group in Pocahontas County that likely picked it up from geese.
As of now, says Malcolm, “the poultry industry is doing well.”
Festivities opened on Saturday and Sunday. On June 28, Moorefield High School hosted the Pre-Teen, Teen, and Miss Pageant competitions. The very next afternoon, judging took place for the Baby, Tiny, Toddler, Little, and Junior Miss Pageants. Results will likely come in next week’s edition.
Malcolm explained that the WVPA worked to find the most convenient date to hold the pageants and decided on two weeks prior this year. They wanted to complete the competitions in time for winners to participate in Festival events, but not hole it too early in the year.
Festival fun resumes on Saturday July 12 on 10 a.m. with the Kiddie Parade. Hardy County Health and Wellness Center, Welton Trucking, and the WVPA sponsor the event. It commences at the Moorefield Bingo Hall and follows Maple Street to the Moorefield Town Park. Those who wish for their little ones to participate can call (304) 538-7380 to register.
The terminus of the parade route will be packed with vendors, fun for the kids, free swimming, and a magic show sponsored by Pilgrim’s Pride Prepared at 11:30.
Moorefield Town Park will also host Free Swim Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. That evening, Moorefield Elementary School will hold a paint party sponsored by Sweet Love Blooms. Up to 30 can register with the WVPA to participate.
While most enjoy the fun and games of the Festival atmosphere, that runs concurrently with elements of a convention as well. On Tuesday and Wednesday night, Thomas Link, an intelligence officer with the United States Department of Homeland Security will discuss “threats to the US food and agriculture sector.”
As Malcolm explains, Link will provide information vital to those engaged in the industry, including new and unexpected threats. “Border security is important,” stressed Malcolm. He cited the devastation caused by invasive species to white elm and ash trees – and by extension the timber industry. Malcolm also described how many who cross the border legally innocently and inadvertently bring plant and animal pests along with them that can threaten American agriculture.
He had previously addressed the WVPA Board on these topics. “He will talk about things you wouldn’t even think about, like agricultural terrorism.”
Link will speak at the Oak Flat Ruritan in Fort Seybert at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and the Moorefield Church of the Brethren, same time, on Wednesday. Pilgrim’s will donate chicken for both dinners.
Karen Malick, Territory Manager for the Farm Bureau Insurance Company of West Virginia will also speak and answer questions about insurance products at both events.
Wednesday brings a full slate of fun activities and competitions as the WVPA holds its Youth Day. Events moved from Moorefield Middle School to Moorefield High School for this year.
First thing in the morning at 9:30 a.m. will be the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Poultry and Egg Judging. Contestants will judge the quality of poultry and eggs while also having their knowledge tested.
That is followed by the 11:30 registration for the youth BBQ cookoff and the Youth Luncheon 15 minutes after.
Every year, the BBQ cookoff pits the creative palates of area young people against each other. Each contestant gets a portable grill, charcoal, meat thermometer, and a chicken breast provided by Pilgrim’s. Contestants over the years have famously come up with extraordinarily inventive, but almost always delicious, sauces to flavor the bird. Cooking commences at 12:30.
Awards for all events will be presented at 3:15..
Action moves to the verdant expanses of Valley Vale Golf Course on Thursday with the WVPA Scholarship Golf Tournament. Two tee times are set at 8 a.m. and 1p.m. with limits of 18 teams of four players at each time. Registration and fees will be handled by WVPA ahead of time with a cost of $65 per player and $260 per team.
That evening, children of all ages will line the streets of Moorefield for the WVPA Poultry Parade with the line up at 5 p.m. where Winchester Avenue intersects with Town Run Road. Sirens go off to announce the start at 6 p.m.
Friday also brings a full slate of events, kicked off by an 8 a.m. breakfast at Moorefield High School served up by the FFA, followed by the 9:30 WVPA Annual Meeting.
On both Friday and Saturday, the Hardy County Gun Club will host events. At noon on July 18, it will hold a skeet shoot and at 10 a.m. the following day will come the Muzzleloader Turkey Shoot and 22 Long Rifle Shoot.
The crowning event of the week will come at Misty Mountain Event Barn, which will host a Poultry Festival Reception at 4:30 and the President’s Dinner and Awards ceremony at 6 p.m.
“The West Virginia Poultry Festival is a celebration of the impact poultry has in our community and in West Virginia agriculture. The educational parts of the festival provide people of all ages skills that can benefit them in their daily lives, whether that be on a farm or in the grocery store. The festival also serves as a way to bring the community together and is anticipated by many each year,” said Allen Collins, Pilgrim’s Moorefield complex manager.
