By Esteban Fernandez
For Times West Virginian
Fairmont — Main Street Fairmont is pulling out all the stops for the 20th anniversary of the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
The down revitalization nonprofit will host an evening feast on Saturday. It’s part of the organization’s Hometown Market summer programming series. Alex Petry, the organization’s executive director, said each month comes with its own theme. In the past, the theme for July was a car show. This year, however, Main Street Fairmont changed the theme to a Hometown Market Feast, to preview the 20-year anniversary of the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
“For the summer, what it brings to the table is an opportunity to come out when it’s not, super, super hot and you know, the feast in December runs into the evening. We just wanted to give folks a little bit of a taste of that since it’s the 20th year of the feast,” Petry said. “It’ll be a new atmosphere, a new vibe for the Hometown Market. Here Main Street Fairmont we constantly try to refresh and innovate new things.”
Petry said the feast should bring some extra variety to the Hometown Market series. At Saturday’s feast, Petry said there will be over 60 vendors, including eight food vendors and a live musical performance from The King’s Brass. Santa will also take a break from the North Pole, don his summer outfit and take photos and talk to kids at the celebration. Petry said the town’s Private Outdoor Designated Area will be in effect, making it a good time to grab a drink and do something fun outdoors in downtown Fairmont.
Also during the celebration Adams Street will also be closed off for the first time.
The event is sponsored by Elevate Therapy Center, which is located in White Hall and owned by Fairmont native Tim Turner. Turner said sponsoring the feast was a good way for the business to support the community as well as help the business get its name out there. Turner also reflected on the longevity of the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
“I think it’s just a testament to the community support that Fairmont has, and the community engagement that Fairmont has,” Turner said. “So obviously, it’s a recognizable event, bringing different essences and heritages to community events.”
The feast will also coincide with Fairmont State University President Mike Davis’ regular movie night, which will play “Frozen” at 8 p.m. downtown. As for whether the evening feast will return next year, that depends on how successful this year’s event goes, Petry said. Petry added that if this one is executed well, it could be a longstanding Hometown Market tradition.
City Council Member Rebecca Moran is also looking forward to enjoying the winter feast’s trappings in a warmer environment.
“The feast is always a great community event,” Moran said. “People love to come out to it, and there are people with stronger constitutions than I am who stand out there no matter how cold it is, enjoying stuff. This gives the opportunity for people who are a little bit more warm blooded and like it to be warmer outside to enjoy their downtown.
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