Patty Ashworth wants her grandchildren to one day look back on their memories of Putnam County Homecoming the same way she does.
"In my memories, Homecoming was kind of a fun, slow-paced day. Lots of family would come in for it," she said. "It's just a day about family and friends. I would just like for my grandchildren to have these types of experiences."
The 88th annual Putnam County Homecoming will take place Sept. 9 and 10 in Winfield. Ashworth, the event's chairwoman, said organizers have several new events planned this year, in hopes of drawing an even bigger crowd.
In addition to the event's typical vendors, entertainment and activities, this year's Homecoming will feature a paddleboard race and a new Miss Putnam Princess Contest.
Appalachian Boarding Company is organizing a family-friendly float for kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards to take place on the Kanawha River, along with a "Race for Recovery" to benefit the Putnam Wellness Coalition. The events will take place Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. at the new city park in Winfield.
Princesses will walk in the Homecoming parade this year, alongside characters from Putnam Princess Parties. There will also be a photo contest and a free meet and greet with the characters after the parade for participants.
Homecoming will also include free concerts from the Whiskey River Band, Landau Eugene Murphy, the Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus and several others.
There will be free children's activities, a Putnam Has Talent competition as well as the tradition Miss Putnam County pageant.
Ashworth said there will again be a Sunday morning community church service, the return of a long-standing Putnam County Homecoming tradition. The service will take place at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.
Craft and food vendors will also be on hand. Ashworth said families are also able to pack their own picnic lunches to enjoy on a blanket at the festival.
There is no admission or ticket fee for many of the events.
"All of the activities and events are free - there will be inflatables, the mobile gaming unit. We try to provide activities for all aged kids," Ashworth said. "There will be entertainment all day Saturday. We have a lot of good bands that will be coming to participate from a variety of genres."
Putnam County Homecoming has been a county-wide tradition since 1929. Ashworth said that although the event is held in Winfield each year, it's truly an event for the entire county.
"It's one of those small old-fashioned things that I think are worth continuing," she said. "It's someplace they can come that's family friendly. We tried to build this activity as family friendly, ad free as possible. There's not too many things like that anymore."
Events begin at 10 a.m. both days in Winfield. For more information on Putnam County Homecoming, including a complete schedule of events, visit putnamcountyhomecoming.com or like Putnam County Homecoming on Facebook.
Reach Carlee Lammers at Carlee.Lammers@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1230 or follow @CarleeLammers on Twitter.