A Hidden Gem: The Annual Appalachian Festival

On Saturday, Sept. 16., students from Frostburg State University (FSU) and community members alike joined together to enjoy a day filled with fun, food, handmade crafts, and more. As tents were scattered throughout the upper quad of FSU, various businesses showcased themselves at this year's annual Appalachian Festival.

Capering Kids Goat Club banner.

A banner reading, "Capering Kids Goat Club" lined a fence containing around six dairy goats inside. As a branch of the national organization, "4-H", Carol Manger, the leader of the club explained, "In 4-H Goat Club, the kids can be from 5-18 years old. 4-H has a lot of different clubs such as livestock clubs, horse clubs, archery clubs, craft clubs and more. Pretty much anything anyone wants to do". In this particular Goat Club, Manger explained that the children learn the necessary skills to care for goats, and their meetings fall on the third Thursday of every month at Briarfield Farm.

Leanna Koch enjoys petting the goats with her children Billy (left) 

and Leanna (right). 

A goat from the Capering Kids Goat Club. 

Joining as a relatively new coffee shop, this was Clatter's second year at the Appalachian Festival. Clatter officially opened it's local business this past April, located on 15 S. Broadway in Frostburg. Serving coffee, espressos, tea, etc. paired with a delicious food menu, locals have the opportunity to mingle in a rather welcoming atmosphere. Josh Horevay, a co-collaborator of Clatter mentions, "There's a before 11 menu, but after 11 you can get the whole menu. Before 11, you can get dishes such as frittatas, open faced bagels, parfaits, etc. pretty basic cafe style. And after 11 we continue serving these dishes along with sandwiches, salads, bowls, and so on". Clatter's hours are Monday - Saturday from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Clatter Coffee in their booth. 

Elizabeth Carder, a barista at Clatter (left) and
Josh Horevay, co-collaborator of Clatter (right)

Paige Vance and Megan Manes, two naturalists from Rocky Gap State Park attended the festival this year, bringing along an owl, aquatic turtle, and a snake. Vance, mentioned that they work with the Scales and Tails program that takes injured and rehabilitated birds along with other animals. "We program with them. We use them for educational purposes to teach people about why they're injured, what you can do to prevent such injuries, etc. In short, we spread awareness", said Vance.

Megan Manes (left) and Paige Vance (right). Two naturalists
from Rocky Gap State Park. 

An injured owl within Rocky Gap State Park and the
Scales and Tails program.

After a day filled with handmade goods, food trucks, crafts, artwork, and so much more, this year's Appalachian Festival leaves community members already counting down the days until the next one.