Weekend in the Wilds Events

Weekend in the Wilds Events

This year Weekend in the Wilds will include the largest number of vendors in its history. The 2-day event begins Friday June 30 and concludes Saturday July 1 with fireworks.

Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library gets a running start to the weekend with a used book sale Wednesday June 28 9am-1pm. The sale continues Thursday and Friday 11am-5pm. The sale ends Saturday 9am-1pm. A new business in the community, Hygrade Inn will host an open house Friday afternoon 4-8pm. The property at 212 East Fourth Street recently purchased with the intent to transform the home into a bed and breakfast. Jim Wendel says, “my business partners and I appreciate the overwhelming support from the community. We are very excited to have the opportunity to save this beautiful home and look forward to seeing the positive impacts this project makes in Emporium and the surrounding area.” The facility is expected to be ready to accept reservations in late 2018.

The ‘church’ district in the 200 block of East Fourth Street will continue highlighting Friday night activities with a pie and ice cream social at the First Presbyterian Church from 5-7pm. Cameron County Quilters will host a quilt show in the sanctuary of the church, while Mountain Melodies will perform in the lower level. At 7pm Cameron County Christian Center will host a free family movie night which includes popcorn and drinks.

Saturday begins early with the Big Foot Hunt starting at day break(5:43am) till 1pm. ‘Hunters” are required to purchase a $5.00 license from Mountaineer Search & Rescue. Big Foot is known to spend time at places of interest, historical sites and hiking trails in Cameron County. A Big Foot calling contest and awards will be held downtown at 2pm.

Vendor booths will open at 9am. Visitors will see entrepreneurs highlighting their ventures, non-profit organizations selling food, artwork, clothing and drinks lining Fourth Street from Chestnut to Maple. Food trucks will be a new addition this year, selling tacos, Italian ice, donuts, and bison dogs. Artists will be located on Chestnut Street. Teresa Genaux from Emporium will be selling hand knitted alpaca items, Jackie Coble from the Dubois area will showcase pottery, Kathleen Gnan from St Mary’s will have canvas photography and Flo Mason from Emporium will have upcycled artwork. Children will be kept busy petting the alpacas at the mini park and exploring activities at Singers Auto Service with Cameron County Conservation District, Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities and Storm Football dunk tank. Live music will be provided by Legacy from 11-2pm.

Two organizations will have drawings for their year long fundraisers on Saturday. A lucky winner will walk away with a BBQ smoker and $100 gift certificate to Valley Meats from Storm Football. Another person will be busy scratching a basket full of lottery tickets from Guy and Mary Felt Auxiliary.

The weekend of events ends with fireworks at the Cameron County High School football stadium. Gates open at 7pm. A concession stand will be open and the fireworks are set to blast off between 9:30 and 9:45 pm.

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Tina Johns Solak says there is still room for vendors. Space rent varies between $20 and $40. “For the first-time vendors will be placed on West Fourth Street. It is exciting seeing the event grow.”