All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

PSA: Anyone who parks along a parade route during Strawberry Festival could be towed (and billed)

BUCKHANNON – A new city ordinance prohibiting parking during a parade will be in effect for Strawberry Festival this weekend.

Buckhannon City Council officially adopted the new ordinance Feb. 17, 2022, so the 80th annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival will be the first time it will go into effect. City recorder and information coordinator Randy Sanders said vehicles cannot be parked on the designated parade route one hour before the start of a parade.

“The signage will be posted up and down the parade route and they’re going to put those signs up the night before the first parade,” Sanders said.

The first parade of the festival will be the Horse and Carriage Parade, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. this Saturday, May 14. The parade route, also known as Strawberry Lane, starts at the corner of Marion and Pocahontas streets, travels up Marion to South Kanawha Street, goes down South Kanawha Street all the way to the triangle, and then it stays on Route 20 North to the courthouse, which is Locust Street. It then turns down Main Street and goes all the way through town prior to ending at the Charles W. Gibson Public Library, Buckhannon mayor Robbie Skinner said.

Skinner noted several of the streets that comprise the parade route already do not permit vehicle parking.

“There’s already no parking on Kanawha, Marion or East Main streets, so we are really only talking about the business district of Main Street,” Skinner said Monday.

Other festival parades include the Junior Royalty Parade at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19; the Firemen’s Parade at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 20; and the Grand Feature Parade Saturday at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21.  

Sanders said the ordinance is intended to allow for a smoother parade flow while keeping residents and visitors safe.

“One of the concerns I had as city recorder was safety,” Sanders said. “We need all motor vehicles off of the main parade route, so that way there couldn’t be any accidental injuries if somebody had to try to retrieve their car during the middle of a parade. It’s also a consideration for the parade participants, to be able to bank on and fully march the parade route without going around a parked car, so it just opens up the entire parade route as it should be.”

Any vehicles parked on the parade route an hour before the start of a parade will find their car has been towed. The ordinance gives the Buckhannon Police Department the authority to “immediately remove any motor vehicle parked on-street in violation of Article I of this Ordinance, including through the use of third-party towing services.”

The law goes on to say that “the make, model, color, state license number, or other identifying information, together with the identity of any person or firm who shall have towed the vehicle pursuant to this subsection, shall be recorded to facilitate the return of any towed vehicle to its rightful owner.”

However, the vehicle’s owner – not the City of Buckhannon – will be billed to cover the cost of “any towing or impoundment fees charged for the relocation of the violating motor vehicle.”

In a previous reading of the ordinance city attorney Tom O’Neill said the driver will also receive two warnings and then a fine.

“While somebody may be towed, they would receive a warning instead of a fine in addition to the tow on a first or second offense because the key for this ordinance is to get the vehicle cleared off the street, not necessarily that the vehicle owner gets fined,” O’Neill said at the time.

View the full ordinance on the city’s website here.  

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

WVSSAC to keep state high school golf tournament in Wheeling

The WVSSAC Board of Directors has chosen Oglebay Resort in Wheeling to continue hosting the state high school golf championship through 2028 after considering bids from several venues.

Waggy breaks school record in 3200 meters for Bucs at Harry Green Invitational

Jack Waggy broke the Buckhannon-Upshur school record in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:45.31 at the Harry Green Invitational, leading the Bucs to a fourth-place finish overall.

Carlyle wins long jump for B-U at Harry Green Invitational

Rylen Carlyle set a personal record to win the long jump as Buckhannon-Upshur’s girls placed fourth overall at the Harry Green Invitational, highlighted by strong performances in several individual and relay events.

Moss has four goals as Lady Bucs gain 17-1 lacrosse win over Fairmont Senior

Mallory Moss scored four goals and two assists as the Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs dominated Fairmont Senior 17-1, with contributions from seven teammates and strong defensive play in goal and on groundballs.

Lacrosse Bucs down Jefferson County, 11-4

The Buckhannon-Upshur lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak with an 11-4 home win over Jefferson County, led by Tobias Marple’s four goals and Michael Tracy’s six assists.
WVWC Tennis

Wesleyan women’s tennis gains wins over West Liberty and Frostburg State

The West Virginia Wesleyan women’s tennis team improved to 3-1 in conference play with victories over West Liberty and Frostburg State, moving into third place in the Mountain East Conference standings.
WVWC Tennis

Tennis Bobcats pick up two more victories

The West Virginia Wesleyan men’s tennis team remained undefeated in Mountain East Conference play by defeating West Liberty 7-0 and Frostburg State 5-2, setting up a showdown with fellow unbeaten Charleston.

Baseball ‘Cats win one of two against Concord

West Virginia Wesleyan split a weekend baseball doubleheader with Concord University, dropping the opener 6–3 after late offense from Concord but rebounding with a 1–0 victory behind Eli Brogan’s complete-game shutout.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan softball splits doubleheader with West Liberty

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied late to win the opener 4–3 over West Liberty, but the Hilltoppers’ Kadence Pettit fired a complete-game shutout in Game Two as the teams split their Mountain East Conference softball doubleheader.

WVWC Student Senate contributes to flood relief in Wyoming County

WVWC Student Senate donated $1,000 to Mountain Heart Community Service to support Wyoming County households recovering from severe February flooding damage.

Moose International chairman visits Buckhannon lodge for dinner and grant ceremony

Robert K. Funkey, chairman of the Moose International Board, visited Buckhannon Moose Lodge 598 for a special dinner during which the lodge donated $500 to Upshur County Youth Baseball and Softball.

Upshur County Public Library to celebrate 30th Annual Ramp Dinner with Appalachian extravaganza

The Upshur County Public Library will celebrate its 30th Annual Ramp Dinner on April 25, featuring live music and gourmet Appalachian cuisine from chef Dale Hawkins. Get your tickets by the April 21 deadline to support the library and experience this cherished community tradition.