A group of local citizens and community organizers recently decided that their town — Paw Paw, West Virginia — just a few miles west of Berkeley Springs — needed to have a Paw Paw festival.
The town of Paw Paw is named after the native North American pawpaw fruit.
While there have been previous fall festivals in the town, this is the first festival specifically designed to celebrate the town’s namesake.
The idea took root when local garden center owner Maria Gloyd grew weary of not being able to sufficiently answer inquiries about the pawpaw tree.
Not only did she not sell the trees at her nursery, but she also didn’t know much about the trees or fruit. In her search to learn more, Gloyd was introduced to Todd McCree, owner of Great Escape Farms in Romney, West Virginia who specializes in unique edible plants.
McCree in turn introduced Neal Peterson, owner of Peterson Pawpaws based in Harpers Ferry, and a celebrity in the world of pawpaw plant genetics and cultivation.
His multiple varieties of pawpaw trees are sold worldwide.
Both Peterson and McCree will give presentations at the festival and will be on hand to answer questions and sell several varieties of Peterson’s cultivated pawpaw trees, known for their fruit’s larger size, more edible pulp, fewer seeds, and longer shelf life than the wild variety growing along area riverbanks and ridges.
These same cultivated pawpaw fruits will be available for sale, and samples of the same varieties will be available for tasting before buying.
Paw Paw’s musical roots will also be featured throughout the festival.
Performing will be the Paw Paw Community Choir under the direction of Diana Burkhart.
Multi-instrumentalist Ben Townsend sharing his old-time traditional banjo and fiddle music.
Internationally acclaimed Critton Hollow String Band, who have made Paw Paw their home since 1975.
And Mary Hott with the Carpenter Ants, offering a harmony-rich, groove-heavy sound inspired by the blues and gospel roots of country rock.
Festival goers can also expect to browse multiple craft vendors, and there will be several food vendor options.
Special activities for kids will include a bounce house, face painting, a balloon twister, and several contests including a sack race, 3-legged race, pawpaw spoon race, and a paw paw coloring contest.
The festival will be held on September 14, 2024 from 10 am to 5 pm in the Paw Paw Municipal Park, 699 Winchester Street, in Paw Paw.
Organizers encourage visitors to bring chairs or blankets to sit on and check the festival website – www.pawpawfestivalwv.com – and Facebook page – Pawpaw Festival 2024 – for any updates.