Celebrate the first day of spring and World Storytelling Day with French Creek Freddie and friends at Jawbone Park
French Creek Freddie and Mayor Dave McCauley celebrate Groundhog Day at the West Virginia Wildlife Center, February 2, 2018
March 1, 2018
French Creek Freddie will be the guest of honor at the First Day of Spring Celebration planned for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Jawbone Park. Festivities will include Story Time presented by Buckhannon Community Theater, Plant a Seed with the Buckhannon Community Garden, French Creek Freddie statue dedication, a performance from band Enny Corner, and appearances by French Creek Freddie, West Virginia Wildlife Center Director Tyler Evans, Southern Upshur Business Association, and Mayor Dave McCauley. The event will celebrate the first official day of spring and community unity among Buckhannon and the communities in southern Upshur County. The celebration kicks off the season at Jawbone Park in anticipation of the Strawberry Festival, Festival Fridays, Farmers Markets, and more. A donation from the mayor has funded the French Creek Freddie statue and band performance.
In addition to the first day of spring, March 20 marks the annual celebration of World Storytelling Day. Buckhannon Community Theatre members will present a reading of the children’s book “Groundhog Gets a Say” and volunteers from the Buckhannon Community Garden will read “Groundhog’s Garden”. Children will also have the chance to plant vegetable seeds to take home to their garden or patio container. Both books are available at Charles W. Gibson Library, and will be ready for the public to checkout following the event.
The band, Enny Corner, includes musicians hailing from Roane and Calhoun counties. Judy Channell of the West Virginia Wildlife Center states, “Enny Corner first performed at the Wildlife Center’s Groundhog Day Celebration in 2014. Harry Bell, lead singer, was inspired to write the original ‘Are You Ready for French Creek Freddie’ which they have performed each year during the festivities held at the Wildlife Center.” Besides Freddie’s tribute, the band also performs a mix of originals and covers of classic rock and folk songs.
The West Virginia Wildlife Center attracts many visitors to Upshur County and is a favorite place to visit for local residents. Laura Bennett, Executive Director of the Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau, states, “(The Wildlife Center) has an incredible impact to our local tourism industry, and is a unique facility to the entire State.” Many children in Upshur and other West Virginia counties experience the Wildlife Center during field trips where they learn about native species such as black bear, bobcats and golden eagles. In addition, the Wildlife Center hosts events that celebrate living history with traditional cooking, camping and lifestyle demonstrations.
See more of what the West Virginia Wildlife Center has to offer by visiting the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website, and be sure to click on the “Events” tab. To follow City of Buckhannon news and announcements, visit the website or Facebook page.
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For questions, contact Callie Cronin Sams, callie.csams@buckhannonwv.org.