Residents of the tiny village of Frost hope to attract a big crowd this fall, when they will host the first-ever Frost Fest.

The village, nestled in scenic Knapps Creek valley, on the back slope of the Allegheny Front, is barely more than a road intersection, a church, a store and a firehouse. But hundreds of homes lie in the hollows and hills surrounding Frost, and planners hope many nearby residents will step forward to help organize a village festival.

Many Pocahontas County communities conduct well-attended festivals every year, including Marlinton's Pioneer Days and Autumn Harvest festivals, Hillsboro's Little Levels Heritage Fair, Durbin Days, Dunmore Daze and Huntersville Traditions Days.

Mountain Quest Inn employees Cindy Taylor and Susie Mullenax observed the success of other local festivals and developed the idea for a similar, yet different, celebration in Frost. They hope to attract out-of-county tourists and tourist dollars to the little community. The pair invited local residents to a meeting on April 25, where several attended and discussed ideas for the festival.

The group's plan right now is to conduct Frost Fest on the weekend of October 1, the same weekend as Huntersville Traditions Days - 13 miles down the road. Organizers plan to conduct Frost Fest in conjunction with Huntersville event, rather than in competition.

Mullenax said initial coordination had been made with Huntersville Traditions Day organizers and that no opposition had been voiced. She said the two events, in relatively close proximity to each other, could result in a bigger draw for both. The theme for Frost Fest will be autumn and pumpkins, whereas the Huntersville theme is old-fashioned lifestyles and work techniques.

Taylor and Mullenax hope to attract more out-of-county visitors to Frost Fest and send those visitors along to the Huntersvile festival.

Frost Fest will be held on the grounds of Mountain Quest Inn with some events possible in the village proper. Highlights will include a 2.2 acre corn maze, food vendors, live music, a pumpkin carving contest, a farmers market, crafters and demonstrations. Other ideas under consideration are a car or motorcycle show, a horseshoe tournament, a beauty pageant, a petting zoo and fireworks.

Vendors will not be charged a fee to set up at Frost Fest, unless they require electricity. Interested vendors, crafters and anyone willing to help organize the event are asked to call Cindy Taylor at 304-799-7267.

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