First annual Paw Paw Festival plans underway for September

Plans for the First Annual Paw Paw Festival are underway. The festival will take place the third weekend of September each year. The land adjacent the boat launch has been designated as the official festival grounds. Over the next year, the town hopes to make improvements to the property so that it will become a greater asset and can be utilized for many events by all.

This year's festival will take place September 13-16. Many activities are scheduled in the hopes of providing something for everyone. WV Amusements will be providing a carnival throughout the festival and craft vendors will be selling their wares as well as informational booths.

Covey Promotions will be putting on a wrestling extravaganza Friday night featuring the local SGT. Cody McGraw and Jake "The Snake" Roberts in the feature tag-team match.

The first Paw Paw Festival Queen Beauty Pageant will be on main stage Friday evening crowning three individuals to reign over the carnival.

Live musical performances will be on main stage Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Saturday morning will begin with the first ever fireman's parade followed with a day packed full of firemen competitions to determine who the ultimate fire company is.

A local jam session will take place on the side stage for any musical talents to join together in an acoustical performance.

The sponsors of the festival will be recognized on main stage that afternoon and the Paw Paw Schools P.T.O. will be holding their annual auction on the side stage Saturday evening.

Plans are underway to try to provide fireworks to end the evening Saturday night. Sunday afternoon will host free activities/games for children and their families to partake in.

And what would a Paw Paw Festival be without paw paws? Saturday afternoon is the time to display paw paws. A contest will be held on main stage to determine the largest paw paw, the tastiest paw paw dish and the best decorated paw paw. Registration for these contests will take place prior to the contest. Donations of paw paw recipes are being sought to display during the festival. Anyone with one to share, should drop off or fax 947-5373 to Town Hall prior to September 1.

Food for the event will be provided by area non-profit organizations. Any organization not yet contacted, can call Town Hall 947-7476 to arrange for a space.

As with anything, it takes people to make things happen successfully. To volunteer time to help make this festival the best it can be, call Town Hall and let them know when you think you would be available. Additional sponsors are still needed to help defray the costs associated with an event of this magnitude.

Companies who already gave include: Rubbermaid Commercial Products of Winchester, Office Equipment Services of Paw Paw, Scrap Bros. Inc. of Paw Paw and The Morgan County Commissioners.

Registration forms for the various events, food vendors and additional information are available at Town Hall.