Mountwood Park hosts Volcano Days Antique Engine Show and Festival
VOLCANO — Mountwood Park was filled to capacity Saturday on the second day of the 28th annual Volcano Days Antique Engine Show and Festival.
Volcano Days commemorates Volcano, the oil boomtown that burned down in 1879 but at one time filled the valley with houses, shops and other business.
Around 160 vendors and crafters were present at Volcano Days, selling everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to t-shirts and candles.
“I’ve brought my family to Volcano Days every year for the past 10 years, my wife (Cathy) and kids (John, Edward and Tonya) always get a kick out of the engines, food, vendors and musical shows,” said Bridgeport resident Alan Mercher.
Mercher said his favorite part of Volcano Days is seeing all the antique engines running and talking with the engines’ owners.
The Volcano Museum was open and guided tours to the Stiles Mansion ruins are available during the festival. Two tours to the ruins were held Saturday and two more will be today, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.. Tickets are available at the visitors center for $5 for adults and $3 for children. The ride begins and ends at the Stiles Administration parking lot.
Deadwood Creations from Parkersburg was at Volcano Days, making various woods carvings out of different animal creations. Brad Holbert was the woodcarving artist present Saturday for Deadwood Creations.
There were many different activities for younger kids well, including a bouncy house, kiddie tractor pull, and a rock wall with trained professionals to help the kids with climbing.
Jeremy Cross, the Wood County Parks director, said that he expected anywhere between 6,000 to 8,000 people to attend the Volcano Days weekend.
“Volcano Days is the park’s largest event of the year. The weather has been great and the crowds have been large, everyone seems to be having a great time this year,” said Cross.
Jim Boston, of Ritchie County, brought his 15 hp Reed motor, which is 100 years old. Boston said his engine was “used to drill, pump with and pull rods or anything else with.”
Along with the antique engines on display, there was also apple butter making, blacksmith demonstrations and bingo. There were also various musical acts Saturday at Volcano Days including, the Neon Moon Band, Sour Mash Band, Dave McCormick and Silas Powell and the Powell Family.
“I love coming to events like this, seeing all my friends, watching the bands, eating the good food and checking out everything that is for sale,” said Tamica Boween, of Parkersburg, while watching the Neon Moon Band perform Saturday.
Volcano Days continues today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The schedule includes:
* 10 a.m.: Festival begins
* 11:30 a.m.: Historic wagon ride to Stiles Mansion (Meet at Stiles Administration parking lot)
* Noon: Kiddie Tractor Pulls Registration; Stevie Lynn; Volcano Reunion in Stiles Administration Basement
* 1 p.m.: Kiddie Tractor Pulls; The Smith Family
* 2 p.m.: The Johnny Staats Project
* 2:30 p.m.: Historic wagon ride to Stiles Mansion (Meet at Stiles Administration Parking Lot)