MALDEN, W.Va. (WCHS) — History, heritage and small business were front and center on Saturday for Salt Fest in Malden.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works Owner Nancy Bruns is a descendent of the original salt producers in the Kanawha Valley, dating back to the early 1800’s.
She said the festival helps give locals a sprinkle of history they may have never realized.
“When we revived the salt industry here in Malden, which was the center of salt making in the country for a long time, we felt it was important to keep this history alive and so people really understood it,” Bruns said. “It had been kind of lost.”
A newfound knowledge of the centuries-old tradition isn’t the only thing people will walk away with. It also provided shoppers like Joshua McCormick with countless local vendors to browse.
“It’s a great taste of Appalachia,” McCormick said. “Lot of interesting things to see, a lot of bands. I think it’s great for our culture because it’s small town, small businesses, it definitely helps them. Gives you a chance to see what’s out there and what you can buy.”
Mountain Juice was one of the local businesses who set up shop. Owner Lisa Smith said she makes it a point to never miss Salt Fest.
“For us, we do a lot of races and we do a lot of cultural events and this is right there, this is our favorite cultural event to do,” Smith said. “It’s important to us and it’s all West Virginia grown so that’s what we love.”