Marble Festival rolls into Paden City again
Shown here is the official Paden City Marble Fest 2024 marble featuring a wildcat design on it. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Paden City Marble Festival organizer Steve Strother holds two of his handmade face marbles during the festival held Sept. 27-28 at Paden City Park. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
There were also some craft vendors at the Paden City Marble Festival including Mike Quinn of New Martinsville. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Kristy Banta of New Martinsville sold some of her crafting creations during the Paden City Marble Festival held Sept. 27-28. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Thomas Militello of Comet Creations holds up a tray of some of his handmade marbles during the Paden City Marble Festival held Sept. 27-28. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Shown here is a closeup of Steve Strother’s handmade face marbles. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Helena McLaughlin of New Martinsville holds up some items she helped sell during the Paden City Marble Festival, real honey and handmade potholders. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Shown here is the official Paden City Marble Fest 2024 marble featuring a wildcat design on it. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Paden City Marble Festival organizer Steve Strother holds two of his handmade face marbles during the festival held Sept. 27-28 at Paden City Park. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
There were also some craft vendors at the Paden City Marble Festival including Mike Quinn of New Martinsville. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Kristy Banta of New Martinsville sold some of her crafting creations during the Paden City Marble Festival held Sept. 27-28. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Thomas Militello of Comet Creations holds up a tray of some of his handmade marbles during the Paden City Marble Festival held Sept. 27-28. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Shown here is a closeup of Steve Strother’s handmade face marbles. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
Helena McLaughlin of New Martinsville holds up some items she helped sell during the Paden City Marble Festival, real honey and handmade potholders. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)
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PADEN CITY -- The nice thing about a marble festival is that if you lose your marbles there are plenty available to replace them.
Thousands of vintage, new and handmade marbles were on display and for sale during the Paden City Marble Festival held Sept. 27-28 at Paden City Park.
The festival attracted marble makers and dealers from across the country. Some local residents also took part by selling their marbles and crafts or enjoying the displays.
Festival organizer Steve Strother, who also makes glass marbles, said this was the third year for the festival to be held in Paden City, which is also home to longtime marble manufacturer Marble King.
"The Sistersville Marble Festival went on for 20 years and the organizer decided to call it quits. Then no one really wanted to pick it up so I decided, I'm going to do it," he said.
Strother said he initially got help from the Wetzel County CVB, but now he organizes it annually himself. Strother said he's always loved marbles.
"I grew up in Paden City and Marble King and we always had marbles," he said. "Our game was shooting them with slingshots and throwing them - kind of deviant things."
Strother's makes marbles with interesting faces in them.
"I use oxygen, propane and a torch and glass rocks. I use borosilicate glass, just Pyrex," he noted.
Strother said for those interested in learning more about marbles, a festival is a great place to start. He also suggests reading the history of glass and marble making, too. Marble clubs are also available.
"Native Americans had marbles made out of clay," Strother said. "Those things are very interesting."
Strother thanked everyone who attended and set up during this year's two-day festival.