Lurch Fest Lurching Forward With Big Plans

As the countdown begins towards the August 3 Lurch Fest 2024, this year’s planning committee has a plethora of activities for visitors to West Virginia’s best new festival.

Kicking off the festival will be the pre-Fest session with Christofer Cook, authorized biographer of Ted Cassidy, and Cassidy’s son Sean Friday evening, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. in 17 North Event Center in the middle of downtown Philippi. Cook is releasing his book Lurching Forward - Ted Cassidy Early Life from Cradle to Creature at the Philippi event. Cook will conduct a book signing and will have copies of the book for sale. Additionally, Cook and Sean Cassidy will engage in a Q & A session, and Sean will, once again, be transformed from Sean Cassidy to his dad Ted via the makeup artistry of Cook.

The fest itself kicks off on Saturday, August 3 at noon and runs until 9 p.m. The day will be filled with over 50 crafters, 14 food vendors, Lurch merch, all day live music, antique hearses, seven craft beer tents, ax throwing, photo ops, the opportunity to meet and have pictures taken with Sean Cassidy, a Tygart River paddle, a new rubber duckie race, a costume contest, and a window decorating contest. The Barbour County Country Club is sponsoring its second annual night time golf as part of the Lurch Fest celebration. Call 304-457-2156 and visit Barbour Country Club on Facebook for more information.

Lurch Fest still needs volunteers for the big day. Anyone able to help with the day is asked to contact Tammy Stemple at 304-457-3700, Ext. 226. Questions about the Fest can also be directed to Stemple.

This year, the Philippi Main Street has even had an official logo designed which is now ready to use (pictured).