GLASS FESTIVAL - SUNDAY - (last day)

The Appalachian Glass Company in Weston, West Virginia organized and hosted a three day event to honor retired West Virginia Glass Workers. We went down today, there was a crowd that varied between 75 and 110 people through out the day - more than 26 men from various glass plants all proudly spoke of the number of years they worked, and their jobs. Many retired for more than 15 years. Many over the age of 70. It was a very good day. My only regret was I didn't have a tape recorder and also that no one from the State Cultural Department was there to do ORAL HISTORIES - this history, of the glass worker is going to be lost.
The Glass Festival continues Sunday (tomorrow) so if you are reading this please plan to make the drive up I-79 to Exit 99 WESTON turn right go about l/10 of a mile and you'll see the signs GLASS FESTIVAL - its free, food is available. Demonstrations of glass etching, glass blowing, glass making are free.
Representatives from MARBLE KING of Paden City were there and if you didn't know how to shoot - lessons were available, contest were held....prizes were given. Marbles were being sold. Beautiful handcrafted marbles.
Did I mention GLass was being sold? Yes, not BLENKO GLASS but glass from many WV Factories that are no longer in business and also glass made by Ron Hinkle and Appalachian Glass was for sale. Both Appalachian and Ron Hinkle did demonstrations of how they make different items - I think these demonstrations will continue on Sunday.
I'll have photos of this event - and IF I can get the upload to work I'll add them to the blog.
Shorty Finley - Blenko retired Glass worker and artist was in attendance on Saturday.
If you don't make the Glass Festival or you are reading this after Sunday but you drive I -79 stop in at Weston Appalachian Glass they are open daily 10 -5
and visit - the gift shop is awesome...and you can watch the glass being as you shop.
I noticed they have many many Christmas ornaments in more than two dozen different colors - the largest selection of handblown glass ornaments I've seen in a West Virginia shop.
Remember to Buy Glass made in West Virginia!
HJH