Appalachian Festival 2017

 JJ Jones

September 16, 2017



(Upper Quad, Frostburg State University)

The Appalachian Festival revisited Frostburg’ State University’s campus this weekend, September 14^th through September 16^th. Several small businesses and vendors were present for university students and locals of the community. This annual gathering was a mixing bowl of cultural diversity, providing students and families insight on different backgrounds. Performers danced to Irish music and food trucks filled the air with the aroma of crab cakes and hot dogs. Savage River Farm, Bobby Croft Studio and Capering Kids Goat Club were a few among many interesting displays set up.

(Maple syrup containers courtesy of Savage River Farm)

Savage River Farm is 9 miles from campus, operating as a small business of 160 members. It is here where farmers take pride in growing all natural and organically raised products such as corn, pumpkins, mushrooms, beef, chicken and other livestock. Although this local farm is just a few minutes away from FSU, the Appalachian Festival is the only event of the year that brings these two worlds together. Ben Yoder, a worker at Savage River Farm, is interested in “seeing a better relationship with the university”. Despite this idle connection, Savage River plays a critical role in the surrounding community by supplying food to Frostburg Farmer’s Market and to local restaurants like Shift and Giuseppe's.

Local Artist and Frostburg Alumni Bobby Croft had a vendor for the first time at this year’s festival. Bobby graduated in 2012 from FSU with his undergraduate degree in Art & Design. He now teaches middle school art at Washington County Public School while doing pottery on the side. His business, Bobby Croft Studios (bobbycroft.com), features handmade pottery bowls, mugs, and vases. When asked about his first-time experience as a business owner at this year’s event, Croft claimed that “Things are going well. This is a pleasant event and I enjoyed it so far.”

(FSU Alumni and business owner Bobby Croft photographed next to his vendor for Bobby Croft Studios)

Harmony the Goat

Seen here is Capering Kids Goat Club, ran by owner Carol Manger. (asked not to be photographed). Ms. Manger explained that the club’s name is derived from the word caper, which means to frolic like a goat. As a reoccurring visitor of the annual festival, her club gets community service each year for participating. Nonetheless, Manger says she still enjoys coming out to show the goats. The goats accompanying her this year were Vanilla Frost, Candy, Hearts of Flutter, Carmela, and Harmony. “My favorite thing about what I do is getting the children interested in goats. It teaches them how to take on responsibility by taking care of an animal.”

Candy (left) and Hearts of Flutter (right)