The City of Piedmont’s annual Homefest celebration is taking shape as festivities are scheduled to kick off on Friday, July 18.
Housing Commissioner Susie Clark is serving as chairperson of the event and announced that this year’s Tri-Towns fire truck pull scheduled for Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. and is benefiting Piedmont resident Alana Michelle Coleman, a nine-year-old who was born with Aicardi Syndrome.
A rare disorder which mainly affects females, Coleman suffers from numerous disabilities ranging from very low muscle tone — which prevents her from standing and sitting — has seizures, and cannot verbally communicate.
There are only 500-700 cases worldwide of Aicardi Syndrome with no known cure.
Clark said the fire truck pull consists of teams of no more than 10 participants who will compete against each other and pull a real fire truck 30 feet up Second Street.
The team that pulls the fire truck up the street the quickest is the winner.
Each team must submit a $100 entry fee, which goes directly to the Alana Coleman fund.
“Prizes will be given for the top three teams with the fastest overall time,” said Clark. “The first five teams to sign up will receive a shirt.”
Deadline to sign up is 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18 at the Tri-Towns Fire Hall.
Also on Friday is the annual Piedmont Homefest Parade that is slated to line up at 5:30 p.m. on Third Street in Piedmont, proceeding down Ashfield Street, across the bridge into Westernport and disbanding at Cruisin’ Treats.
Participants are needed, said Clark, and should be in line no later than 6:15 p.m. with the parade beginning at 6:30. Candy will be given out.
On Saturday, July 19, festivities continue as craft and flea market vendors will be on hand with sign-up beginning at the Tri-Towns Fire Department at 7 a.m.  Canopies are permitted.
A fishing rodeo will be in full swing, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Potomac River in Piedmont with registration between 7 and 7:30 a.m.
The rodeo is free and only open to kids ages 3-14; participants are required to supply their own fishing pole, tackle, bait and fish cooler. Each participant is allowed to fish with only one pole and no fishing license is required. A parent or guardian must accompany the child throughout the whole event and only assist with baiting, casting, taking fish off the hook, until it concludes at 11 a.m.
The winner will be announced at 12:30 p.m. at the Piedmont Fire Hall with trophies and prizes awarded. Back by popular demand is the Lil’ Mr. & Lil Miss Homefest Contest featuring the cutest boys and girls in town.
Participants should be no older than 10 years of age. Pictures will accepted no larger than 3x5 with child’s name, age, parent’s names, address and phone number printed on the reverse side of the photo. All pictures should be sent to Clark at 7 West Hampshire Street, Piedmont, W.Va. 26750.
Clark wants participants to know that photos will not be returned and may appear in the newspaper. Voting will be by penny a vote and the winner will be announced at 3:30 p.m. on July 19. Deadline to enter is July 7.
Another contest sure to be a hit is the Cutest Pet, in which participants should also send in photos to Clark showcasing their cat, dog, or other critter.
Again, all information should be written on the back of the photo and deadline to enter is also July 7. Winner will be announced with the Lil Mr. & Miss Homefest Contest at 3:30.
A new contest this year is the Piedmont Idol Contest, which is open to the first 10 contestants who sign up. There will be five alternates in each age group. Two age groups will be featured — 5-12 and 13-18. Prizes will be awarded in both age groups.
Hoot & Angela will provide the soundtrack for the Homefest. For more information, contact Beth Sturgeon at (304) 790-9458 or (304) 355-8999.
Other activities occurring at this year’s Piedmont Homefest include a milk chugging contest, car show, and L&M’s sidewalk sale.
For more information on these festivities, contact Clark at (304) 355-8640 or (301) 697-8099 after 4 p.m.