The Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival was a success!

Thank you to everyone who supported our third annual Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival! We had record attendance at 6,000 visitors to downtown Fairmont. Everyone had a great time and found delicious treats at our food vendors and enjoyed world class entertainment. We are busy assessing what went right and what we can do better for next year as we continue to grow. Thanks again for allowing us to serve downtown Fairmont as we try to revitalize the town! Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival Entertainment Schedule

FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 13TH 2008 – MONROE STREET – DOWNTOWN FAIRMONT
(11:00 – 1:00 PM ----------WRLF’s ITALIAN HOUR BROADCAST FESTIVAL MUSIC)
11:00 – 11:05 AM OPENING CEREMONY

11:15 – 12:00 PM OTT MEALE & SAM MANNO (LOCAL ACCORDIAN PLAYERS)
12:00 – 12:30 PM A STRING OF PEARLS
12:30 – 1:00 PM WV ITALIAN DANCERS
1:00 – 2:30 PM FESTIVAL CUCINA (COOKING SCHOOL- TICKETS- $15.00)
1:00 – 3:30 PM FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
http://www.fiveguysnamedmoe.com/
3:30 – 5:30 PM BEL DUETTO
http://www.belduetto.com/
3:30 PM 1ST ANNUAL HOME MADE WINE CONTEST
4:00 PM 1ST ANNUAL ITALIAN COOKIE CONTEST
5:30 PM FAIRMONT CHRISTMAS PARADE
7:00 PM CATHOLIC MASS (CELEBRATANT FATHER CANN)
8:00 PM FESTIVAL CLOSES
(AccuWeather.com - Fairmont, WV – 15 Day Forecast - Saturday, Dec 13 - High: 50 °F – Party Cloudy)

Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival Directions

We're excited to welcome you to our town! Please see below for directions from the south, west and north!

From Points South:

Take I-79 N toward CLARKSBURG.

Take the US-250 N exit, EXIT 132, toward FAIRMONT.

Turn LEFT onto US-250/WHITE HALL BLVD/ADAMS ST/FAIRMONT AVE.
Continue to follow ADAMS ST.
4.7 mi

The Festival is on the right along Monroe Street but we have on-street parking along Adams Street and if you go two blocks further north, there is a parking garage.

From Points North:

Take I-79 S via the exit on the LEFT toward FAIRMONT.
12.5 mi

Merge onto WV-310 N via EXIT 137 toward DOWNTOWN/FAIRMONT.
0.4 mi

Turn LEFT at light onto WV-310/PARK AVE.
1.0 mi

Stay straight onto WV-310/MERCHANT ST/E PARK AVE.
0.2 mi

Turn right onto the Jefferson Street Bridge/Million Dollar Bridge/Mollohan Bridge

At the second light, make a Right onto Adams Street and park along the street or in the parking garage. Monroe Street is two blocks to the south (walking distance)

From Points West:
Take Route 250 East

Make a left onto Adams Street. You may park along the street or park in the parking garage at Madison and Adams Street.

We hope to see you on Saturday, December 13!!

Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival

“A feast for the eyes – and the mouth!
Epicurious.com

Save the date: December 13, 2008

It's hard to believe that it's almost time for the third annual Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival. Last year was such a success - we were astounded out by the size of the crowd and the positive reaction that continued for months afterwards. The food, the music, the fellowship - Fairmont was alive with the Christmas spirit.

This year we are working hard to improve the festival while retaining its authentic Italian feeling. We already have confirmations of attendees from as far away as New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Word is spreading about Fairmont's unique holiday festival – and we’ve even received word that the Food Network, a nationally televised channel, is interested in filming the Feast and bringing national exposure to Fairmont!

Like always, we will have top notch vendors selling unique items and world class entertainment. Above all, the food is outstanding. After gorging on delicious Italian delicacies during the cooking school, celebrate with your neighbors at the Christmas parade. Afterward, a Catholic Mass will be held in the Fire Hall on Monroe Street. This festival is all about sharing the holiday season with our neighbors. Please join us!

December 13, 2008
Monroe Street, Historic Downtown Fairmont

11am to 8 pm Non-stop entertainment including:
WV Italian Heritage Dancers
String of Pearls
Ott Meale and Sam Manno
Five Guys Named Moe
Bel Duetto

1:30 Feast of the Seven Fishes Cooking School
3:30 First Annual Wine Contest
4:00 First Annual Italian Cookie Contest
5:30 Christmas Parade
7:00 Catholic Mass with Father Cann officiating

Veteran's Day Parade

We were honored to attend the Veteran's Day Parade on Tuesday. What a great sense of pride we felt being surrounded by veterans and the community who came out on a cold day to support them. The ceremony on Veteran's Plaza was also very moving and a real tribute. Thank You Veterans!

Fairmont State Homecoming

We all had a blast with Fairmont State University's homecoming parade on Tuesday, October 21. FSU students showed how creative they were with their floats. Of course, Main Street Fairmont's float wasn't too shabby! Thanks to the Pitman family for representing our organization. Thanks too to Carol Baker, Marcella Yarumchek, and Marianne Moran for helping to pass out pom poms.

It was wonderful to see everyone come out and support the Fairmont State Falcons!

Great American Main Street Award

Do you think Main Street Fairmont has made a difference in downtown Fairmont? If so, please write a letter of support for us to include in our application to become the 2009 Great American Main Street Award winner!

Letters must be addressed to the Great American Main Street Award Jury and placed on your original letterhead. All letters must be signed as well.

Main Street Fairmont will be sending in the packet of letters on October 28, so please get your letter to us by October 20. Thank you so much for supporting us! Our volunteers and supporters are what make us already have a great American Main Street!!

Thank you!

Questions- contact Sandra at 304.366.0468 or sandra@mainstreetfairmont.org

Scarecrows take over Fairmont

Come Downtown and see all our Scarecrows lining Adams Street in Downtown Fairmont!

Vote for your favorites at the following locations:

Vittoria and Banks, Art for your Soul

Duck Soup

Stagez-- OUR NEWEST MUSIC STORE

Friendly Furniture

Travinos!

Visit downtown to see them all!

PRESERVE AMERICA GRANT WINNER

One more piece of amazing news! Main Street Fairmont was selected as a Preserve America grant recipient!

Main Street Fairmont received a grant of $20,000 to create pod-casts of Fairmont's older generations to document the history of downtown Fairmont. These pod-casts will be used to create a walking tour that people can download onto their ipods and mp3 players.

We are so excited about this project! If you would like to help please call or email the Main Street Office at 366-0468 or contact@mainstreetfairmont.org.

Great American Main Street Award Semi-Finalist

This has been one heck of a week as we received fantastic news! Main Street Fairmont was selected as one of ten semi-finalists for the Great American Main Street Award! This award recognizes communities who achieved exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America’s historic main street commercial districts.

This highly selective competition was open to all nationally accredited Main Street communities throughout the United States. To participate in the competition, candidates had to fill out an extensive on-line application that included statistical figures, a detailed narrative history of our organization and revitalization efforts as well as photographic documentation.

The second stage of the application process requires all semi-finalist communities to provide supporting documentation which includes maps, an official resolution of support from the local government and letters of support. If you would like to write a letter of support for Main Street Fairmont, please address the letter to Great American Main Street Award Jury. The letter must be sent to Main Street Fairmont by Friday, October 17 to be included in Main Street Fairmont’s application packet.

Since 1994, Main Street Fairmont has consistently championed downtown revitalization through economic restructuring, aesthetic appeal, community promotions and fundraising efforts. Because of Main Street Fairmont, the city gained 69 new businesses, 218 new jobs and rehabilitated over 137 buildings. In the past 13 years, over $53 million dollars was publicly invested in the town while over $11 million dollars was privately invested in our downtown district.

The other semi-finalists include:
Aledo Main Street, Inc.- Aledo, Illinois
Federal Hill Main Street- Baltimore, Maryland
Livermore Downtown, Inc.- Livermore, California
Main Street Toccoa, Toccoa, Georgia
Main Street Oberlin, Inc.- Oberlin, Ohio
Main Street El Dorado- El Dorado, Arkansas
On Broadway, Inc.- Green Bay, Wisconsin
Rochester DDA- Rochester, Michigan
Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc.- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

The National Main Street Center will announce the winner at the 2009 Town Meeting in March in Chicago, Illinois.

Thanks to all our volunteers who make Main Street Fairmont great!

Downtown Fairmont Scarecrow Contest

Main Street Fairmont is proud to host a
Downtown Scarecrow Contest!
Everyone is welcome to participate but MUST register with the Main Street office first!

1. Participants must register by contacting the Main Street Fairmont office at 366-0468, contact@mainstreetfairmont.org or Sandra@mainstreetfairmont.org.
2. Scarecrows must be constructed from durable materials that will survive at least one month in the elements. Dimensions should be approximately 4’ by 2’ or so.
3. Scarecrows can be as creative as ever, just please make sure they are “appropriate” for family viewing.
4. Creators will be responsible for installing their scarecrows to their pre-assigned lamppost with Main Street supplied Zip Ties on October 4, 2008 between 7:30 and 10am.
5. Scarecrow must be removed by the creator on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
6. Main Street Fairmont is not responsible for your scarecrow. Please visit it periodically to make sure it is presentable.
7. Main Street Fairmont will provide you with a laminated sign for your scarecrow.
8. Scarecrow and surrounds can not impede sidewalk, parking meter, or access from street to sidewalk & parking meters. Once assigned a pole you might want to look at the location before deciding on your design.
Community members can vote on their favorite scarecrow through ballot boxes placed in designated downtown stores. Each person can only vote ONCE at each ballot location! Prizes will be awarded to Most Creative Design, Funniest Scarecrow, Scariest Scarecrow, and best overall.

10 things you can do to support downtown Fairmont!

10 Ways You Can Help Improve Downtown Fairmont!


1. Buy goods and services from local downtown businesses.


2. Attend community celebrations downtown.


3. Support efforts to keep the downtown clean.


4. Eat at a downtown restaurant at least once a month.


5. Perform as many errands and activities downtown as you can.


6. Walk – don’t drive – to see what downtown Fairmont has to offer. LOOK at the Historic Architecture.


7. Volunteer with youth or encourage youth to take part in activities that benefit downtown.


8. Take your friends downtown with you to shop, dine, or play – Meet for coffee or ice cream.


9. Participate in community discussion on the future of downtown.


10. Invest your time – Volunteer – take part in downtown revitalization.


See You Downtown!

Field Trip to Pittsburgh

On Friday, August 29, members of the Economic Restructuring Committee traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with representatives from the Penn Avenue Arts Initative. Henry and Matt graciously answered our questions about their revitalization of a neighborhood by incorporating the arts into their plans for development.

It was great to see what creative minds can do when people work together. We encourage everyone to take a trip up to Pittsburgh to explore the shops and galleries along Penn Avenue!

Board Members Retreat

On Wednesday, August 27, 2008, Main Street Fairmont hosted the board member retreat at First Exchange Bank. Bob Gribben graciously talked the board through their new roles while Karen Gribben gave a brief history of Main Street Fairmont.

It was an informative day for everyone and the first chance to see what the new board has planned!

Thanks to First Exchange Bank for allowing us the use of their facilities.

Annual Meeting!

On Tuesday, August 26, Main Street Fairmont hosted our annual meeting at the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority. The event was well attended with dignitaries traveling from Charleston for the event.

Outgoing President Marcella Yarumchuk presided over the meeting. Main Street Fairmont Executive Director Vera Sansalone provided the annual summary report- detailing the events over the past year.

Awards were given to Carol Baker for her outstanding community service, and to John Pitman for his volunteerism. Charlie Fawcett, representing the Fairmont Community Development Partnership won an award for their work in energizing the Traction Square neighborhood.

Thanks to the organization committee for putting on such a fine event! We look forward to another year of great success!

Main Street Shoppes!

Did you notice Main Street Shoppes new sign? What an attractive new addition to our Main Street district. Robin Wood, owner of Main Street Shoppes, worked with Jani at Acorn Graphics to create a great sign. Robin also took advantage of Main Street Fairmont's sign grant program to help pay for the sign.

Thanks Robin, for helping revitalize downtown Fairmont!

Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority Main Street Morning!

Main Street Fairmont hosted a Main Street Morning on Saturday, August 9th to re-welcome the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority to the neighborhood! The FMCTA has served the Fairmont area for over 35 years and recently enlarged and upgraded their facilities at 400 Quincy Street.

The event was well attended and the FMCTA was a gracious host! We appreciate the FMCTA supporting Main Street Fairmont! Thanks for a job well done!

Operation Image Awards Ceremony!

Last night we had the Operation image Awards Ceremony at the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority. The turnout was wonderful as many people came out to support their friends and neighbors and celebrate our community!

Although many people were honored last night, here are a few highlights of the evening:

Thanks to the Operation Image Volunteers for making this special event a success!

Brittney McCutcheon

Nancy Bickerstaff

Mary Jo Thomas

Bob Gribben

Vera Sansalone

Main Street Morning

Main Street Fairmont is proud to host a “Main Street Morning” for the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority (FMCTA) on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 9:00 am at 400 Quincy Street, Fairmont.

The FMCTA was created in 1973 when the County Commission and the City of Fairmont got together to form the Transit Authority. The Transit Authority was originally located on Maryland Avenue near Woodchucks until the FMCTA constructed their headquarters at 400 Quincy Street in 1981. The headquarters was over 10,000 sq. feet and was made possible through the cooperation of Senators Randolph and Byrd, Congressman Mollohan and Governor Jay Rockefeller. In 2007, the FMCTA needed to rehabilitate their garage and temporarily moved to the old Fire and Police Station on Monroe Street. This move allowed the FMTCA to continue to provide uninterrupted service while the Quincy Street garage was under renovation. Senator Byrd acquired nearly $2 million to renovate the FMCTA building with the county responsible for less than $100,000.00. In June 2008, the FMCTA held their grand-reopening of their Quincy Street operations and unveiled their state of the art garage.

The FMCTA serves the community by providing 23 handicap accessible buses which travel over 500,000 miles a year with over 150,000 passengers boarding their buses. The Transit Authority travels hourly to Rivesville, Whitehall, Fairview/Grant Town, and Mannington. Between Monday and Friday, the FMCTA also provides residents with three trips daily to the Veterans Hospital in Clarksburg and Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

The FMCTA is a member of the downtown Fairmont and Marion County Community and is proud to have been part of the catalyst to revitalize the Quincy Street neighborhood. Director George Levitsky is quick to say that in addition to residents and riders, the City of Fairmont, Marion County and their neighbors on Quincy Street (especially the Times West Virginian) all helped to make the FMCTA a success.

Please join us as we re-welcome the FMCTA to the neighborhood. We will serve coffee and donuts from 9 to 11a.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival

Hi Everyone!
Time to start thinking about December! We are beginning to get ready for our Third Annual Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival which will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008 on Monroe Street in Fairmont, WV. This is West Virginia's most authentic one day Italian-heritage street festival and we are so proud to be hosting it for a third year in a row. Each year the festival gets bigger and better!

The Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival is based on Bob Tinnel's graphic novel of the same name, which chronicles his memories of growing up in nearby Rivesville, WV. You can see Bob's blog by going to sevenfishesblog.com. Also, check out this cool ad that was on youtube for last year's festival. I thought it was great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR7GU6tvReg

Can't wait to do it again this year! Won't you join us?

VOLUNTEER!

For those of you interested in volunteering with Main Street Fairmont, check out www.Volunteerwv.org! It's a great site that will list volunteer opportunities with Main Street Fairmont and many other great organizations throughout West Virginia.

Of course, you are always welcome to either call or stop in anytime-- we are always happy to meet a new volunteer!

welcome to the board!

Main Street Fairmont is happy to inaugurate its new Board of Directors for the 2008-2009 year. We are excited about Fairmont's future with new, motivated members!

Please welcome Kim Thorne, Cliff Jackson, Karen Gribben, Marcella Yaremchuk, Jerry Ragen, Sharon Swearengen, Nancy Bickerstaff, Vicki Angotti, Bill Burdick, Brian Floyd, Dolores Spatafore, and Mary Jo Thomas.

An initial monthly meeting was held on July 28 although the group will meet for a half day board member training session on Wednesday, August 27. After that meeting, the sky is the limit for this group!

We really appreciate the time and energy this board plans to offer to make Main Street Fairmont a success!

Newest Main Street Fairmont Member!

Please welcome Concept 1 Auto Service to our Main Street district. Formerly located on Fairmont Avenue at 7th Street, Concept 1 moved to 400 Adams Street near the Fairmont Theatre and Veterans Square.

Concept 1 Auto Service's motto is "A return to an old fashioned concept: good service at a fair price." Owner Mike Crawley told me that they have the lowest labor rate in Marion County! You can contact them at 366-7671.

We are excited that Concept 1 Auto Service chose to relocate their business downtown- and look forward to many years of success!

Facade and Sign Grants

Health Naturally, located at 217 Fairmont Avenue, is our newest recipient of a sign grant! Patricia Parker, owner of Health Naturally, worked with Acorn Graphics to design a fanciful sign which is a great addition to our Main Street neighborhood. We are really excited to see that so many Main Street Fairmont members are taking advantage of our facade and sign grant program.

The facade grant program is a 50/50 match grant which provides up to $5,000 for work on a facade in the downtown historic district. This grant is applicable for window repairs, repointing brick, new designs and a lot more. The sign grant is a 50/50 match which provides up to $500 for a new sign.

If you are interested in more information about these sign and facade grants, call us at 366-0468 or email contact@mainstreetfairmont.org.

Preserve America

Did you know that the city of Fairmont is a Preserve America community? This White House designation is highly competitive and a great honor for us. Any organization in the city can now apply for grant funds for their organization. Main Street Fairmont applied for funding for a project called Finding Fairmont's History. We hope to do an oral history and walking tour of downtown Fairmont and use the information in free podcasts. We are super excited about the possibilities of these podcasts and walking tours because aside from their economic development potential, they really will help bring our community together around our history. If successful, we hope that you will join us by sharing your memories of downtown.

Keep your fingers crossed as we should find out the results of our application in September!

Annual Meeting- Save the Date!

Just a quick note to remember-- our annual meeting and volunteer recognition program is coming up on August 26 at 5:00pm at the Marion County Transit Authority at 400 Quincy Street!!

Welcome!

Hi- and thanks for visiting!
Main Street Fairmont is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to revitalizing downtown Fairmont by following the Four Point Approach of the National Main Street Center. The Four Points are a holistic approach to revitalzing downtown and include equally working on economic restructuring, design (historic preservation and beautification), promotion and organization (fundrasing and volunteer management).

Main Street Fairmont is always looking for a few great volunteers. Please drop us an email or call us at 304.366.0468 to see how you can help!

Stay tuned for upcoming events!