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NEWS
Buffalo's Octoberfest continues to grow
BUFFALO, W.Va. -- "If you build it, they will come," is the famous line from the movie "Field of Dreams." Susan Howard of Buffalo, has used those words and then added "and it's growing," as a motto to follow in her dream to grow the Buffalo Octoberfest into a large, family-oriented festival similar to other thriving events in the state.
As director of Octoberfest for the past 13 years, she has watched it go from a small, hometown fest with about 12 vendors in 1987, to 150 vendors at last years' festival that some say attracted as many as 5,000 people.
Octoberfest is scheduled this year from 9 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Buffalo Shopping Center.
"That is my field of dreams-that Putnam County could have a festival that would draw a lot of people," she said.
Howard, who has a marketing and advertising background, took the event over from her father, Dick Howard, in 1995 after returning with her children to live in the town where she grew up. She said it is difficult for her to see the festival in any light except growing as she adds more vendors and entertainment. The catch is that while other festivals charge admission and for vendor space, the Buffalo festival has remained free.
She said the festival has been steadily growing as she has tried to get the word out about what one person called "West Virginia's best kept secret." With little funding and plenty of determination, Howard has been building the festival by organizing mailing lists of former vendors and sending out information through local newspapers and posting ads on the free ad channel. She said other festivals in the area such as the Pumpkin Festival in Milton have grown significantly over the years, and she believes the Octoberfest could have the same potential.
"I looked at the big plan -- I couldn't look at it as a smaller event," Howard said. "We have plenty of room to grow," she said.
Octoberfest began 21 years ago as a small community event on the grounds of The Buffalo Shopping Center, which was once billed as the "Largest General Store this side of the Mississippi," and the second largest in the entire country. Howard said the store where the festival is held each year was first opened in the 1920s by her grandfather, G.L. Hulbert, who moved to Buffalo from Mason County. He enlarged the store to three floors in 1940. Her parents started working for Hulbert in the late 1950s and took over in 1980.
"It had a huge grocery area, hardware, furniture, dry goods, agricultural supplies, meat department, and appliances. My dad's motto for the store was 'one stop shopping," she said.
The store was destroyed by fire in 1980 and was rebuilt from a lumber barn situated behind the old store. The newer store carries many of the same items, but on a smaller scale.
Susan Howard said her father was very community minded long before starting the Octoberfest. He and other residents started Buffalo's first fire department where Dick Howard held the job of fire chief for 25 years. He and others in the community started what is now the large Fourth of July celebration in Buffalo.
"It started with a small carnival at the high school with games for kids, food in the school cafeteria, and booths. It ended with fireworks. It was a nice event for the community; a lot of people were involved in it," she said.
With successful spring (Heritage Days) and summer events in place, Dick Howard wanted the town to have something for fall. He started Octoberfest in 1987 on the five-acre area surrounding his Buffalo Shopping Center as a free one-day event filled with musical entertainment, arts and crafts, and food. Local churches such as the Buffalo Nazarene and the United Methodist sold such food as barbeque and hotdogs. Everything from parking and admission to entertainment was free so that it would be a true community event where everyone could participate.
"I was proud of him for that, but I wasn't here for it," she said. "It started as a meet and greet. It still has that meet and greet feel," she added.
When Susan Howard came home in 1995, her dad was running four different businesses and suggested she could take over Octoberfest.
"I came back to work in his businesses and he said, 'Here, you handle this,'" she said and laughed. "It was right up my alley because I have 25 years experience in the hotel/motel industry," she said.
Being able to offer free vendor space has attracted a lot of attention.
"I have over 100 vendors who have called me. I've never had this many when I still have two weeks until the event. I have people call the day of the event and we don't turn anyone away," Howard said.
Some of the vendors, such as the churches and schools, use the space to hold fundraisers. Some are home-based businesses such as Avon, Tupperware, Home Interior and Pampered Chef. Others use it to promote their business such as H & R Block and Curves. School organizations can use vendor space to raise money for trips they are taking.
The Octoberfest has something for everyone. For those who love gospel and country music, a full day of entertainment is planned. While Howard formerly planned the music program and emceed it herself, it is now handled by Peggy Cornell, a local singer who has been volunteering the last three years to book the musical entertainment for the day. She also serves as emcee.
If festival food is your main reason for attending, you won't be disappointed. Although plans weren't finalized, Howard said they will not only have the regular festival food such as taco in the bag, but are hoping to have ribs, corn roasted in the husks, possibly barbecued chicken, pinto beans and cornbread, and hot dogs. For dessert you will probably find cake, fudge, pumpkin rolls, and apple butter that will be made on site, plus the cotton candy and popcorn.
For history buffs, re-enactors will present living history lessons. One in particular will be cooking "buffalo stew" for those who like a little adventure.
"We added the living history about three years ago," Howard said. "It's a real education. It's a great thing for kids, seniors, everybody," she added.
For those interested in arts and crafts, items such as wood, jewelry, and paintings will be available. You can even Christmas shop. Other items sold last year were fleece blankets and scarves, primitive crafts, purses, bath and beauty, candles, and jams and jellies.
If you are worried about what the children will be doing during the day, you can relax. Not only will there be face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo, the S.T.A.R.S. organization will also hold its annual "Family Funfest." The entirely free event will offer about 15 inflatable games and activities rented from H & H of Saint Albans for families at no cost to the parents. Corporate sponsors paid for this event. The event is from 1 to 3 p.m.
Do you enjoy dressing up in Halloween costumes? You will be in the right place. Anyone from newborn to adult can enter the Halloween costume contest that will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Those entering must change into their costumes inside the store by 3:45 p.m. Judging is in the following categories: Prettiest, ugliest, most creative, best character, most patriotic, and funniest. The winner of each category will receive a $15 gift certificate. Others will receive a ribbon or some kind of award. Everyone must be registered by 3:45 p.m. Registration forms are available in the Buffalo Shopping Center and are handed in at the register between now and 3:45 p.m., Oct. 25, the day of the festival.
"I've seen some really creative things. One had a baby in a tub with white balloons like bubbles. It was so unique. Hopefully, it gives the kids something to do," Howard said.
Howard invites everyone to come out and join them for a fun-filled day that will be inexpensive, but entertaining.
"It's the 21st year and still growing," she said. "Come and join one of the last outdoor festivals for the year."
For information on the festival, call Susan Howard at 304-937-2639. The festival is one mile north of the Toyota Plant.
