The 44th Annual Tucker County Hick Festival

At the Hick Festival: Courtney, Kyle, Jay, Brandon, Dan, Mandy, Mary, Kaylyn, Ryan

There were so many things that I loved about my trip to West Virginia and the Hick Festival. However, you know that you have truly assimilated to the culture when you do/say/ think the following things, such as:

1- You start to justify your interest in hick men by saying, "Well, he had nice eyes." Mary -- they were not that nice.

2- You say with ease, "Oh, we just pulled our outfit up to the Shop and Save Express."

3- You consider the mullet to be acceptable and you know how to rate a good mullet.

4- You go outside for the day, burn your neck, and truly become a red neck.

5- You use the word hootenanny.

6- Your cabin/ place of residence still has the Christmas decorations up in August. Yes, it is Christmas in your heart all year long. Dan and Kyle -- Christmas won't be the same without you.

7- You begin to actually like Roy D. Mercer.

8- You wear a house coat that you bought at the Dollar General for $4.77.

9- Begin to say "I am Tucker County'd Out" when you are tired.

10- You actually go to a one man band and like his music.

11- You like the smell of burnt gasoline and skunks. I really do!!!

There were so many wonders for one woman to see. I love the Appalachian people. I thought that when we were at the Hick Fest there would be other "city slickers" there just to people watch. However, we were the only city folk. Everyone else were true country folk. Of course, when in Rome you do as the Romans. So we dressed up and participated in the Hick Festival contests. We talked our very talented friend, Chris, to enter the talent competition. He won first place and took home $300!!! We even overheard a man say, "He can play that there guitar." We also had others participate in the ice cream eating competition and the cake walk.

As I got to know the people of Tucker County, I was impressed with their confidence. The do not put on heirs or have any sense of vanity or pride. They were people just trying to be good to each other and to themselves. This is something that is true of all small town folk. They have a deep sense of who they are and what they stand for. This was refreshing coming from the arrogance of D.C. I have missed the centering ability of a small town. However, this does not mean that I need to live in a small town....just visit one from time to time.

The Hick Impostors

Mary and I in our house coats standing by the Christmas Tree * Dan looks just like the cover.


Kaylyn and Ryan looking perty * Me at the cake walk


Dan, Courtney, Kyle all gussied up * Melissa and Chris with the winnings



The Real Deal





Look at all of those camo hats * This is the Tucker County Sheriff

My favorite picture that I snapped: Adorable

Public Service Announcement # 36: If you'd like to assimilate to the West Virginia culture click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Sport-a-Mullet