The Little Levels Heritage Fair is acclaimed as one of the outstanding events in the Potomac Highlands region and this the fourteenth year of heritage celebration looks to be no different. This year’s theme is Traditions in Music and celebrates the Hefner Family of Little Levels.

Richard Hefner and Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys will perform on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and Bill Hefner’s family will perform Civil War, and 50s music at 5:00 p.m. at the Hillsboro Elementary School. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own instrument and jam along with Bill and family at 7:00 p.m.

Way back in 1968, Richard and Bill Hefner, Harley Carpenter and Hefner boys’ uncle Dude Irvine, teamed up to make music together. What resulted is one of West Virginia’s oldest and favorite bands. Dude passed away in 1973 and the Sunday Vespers at McNeel Cemetery will pay tribute to him.

Two staples of this regional festival are music and food – both in plenty of supply this year too. The old fashioned pig roast Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. is only outdone by the chicken barbeque on Saturday evening – all held at the Hillsboro Elementary School Cafeteria. Saturday starts off with ham and biscuits in front of the McNeel Gym. Freshly baked cakes and bread are sold throughout the day by members of local civic and service groups.

There are no professional vendors at this festival – all the cooks are local, the recipes made from scratch, and the proceeds staying in this small community to assist in the humane society, the library, the school PTO, and the historical society.

Music starts off Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. with the sounds of Juanita Fireball and the Continental Drifters. This band was formed nearly 25 years ago as a result of performances at the local radio station WVMR. The group plays music reminiscent of the sounds of the 1920s and 30s.

Friday night’s quilt show and dinner are held to music by Chris Campbell and her band, “River Rock.”
Following the Heritage Parade at 2:00 p.m. entertainment by the Spring Hollow Cloggers will take center stage, followed by The Viney Mountain Boys. If you’ve never seen a mini-log race, you won’t want to miss this fun family activity beginning at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the T. C. Edgar Bridge at Seebert. This years’ race is sponsored by the Pocahontas County High School Football Boosters so your money goes to another local group when you buy your logs.

Sunday is relatively quiet making room for everyone to come out to enjoy the fun at the barnyard bingo at Alderman’s Field, hosted by the Hillsboro Elementary School PTO.

The Little Levels Heritage Fair is designed to showcase local talent and products and to serve as a fundraiser for volunteer and civic organizations. Their goal is to preserve as much of the history and heritage as possible through written stories and pictures of the special area.
Visit them on the Web at http://www.littlelevelsheritagefair.com/ For a brochure and poster go to http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/featured-events.aspx