The ever-popular Potomac Eagle Excursion from Moorefield through the Trough will run Saturday afternoon. The Trough is a narrow valley that is inaccessible except by train or on the South Branch River by boat or canoe. Passengers enjoy early fall foliage, spot bald eagles nesting in stately trees and hear an educational narrative. The train boards at 11:30 am where Jefferson Street in Moorefield crosses the railroad tracks and returns to the Jefferson Street crossing at 2:30 pm.

Potomac Eagle 'Trough' Excursion Tickets: $20 per adult and youth ages 13 years or older. $10 per child ages 2-12. Children under two years old are free. Tickets available both in advance and until Noon Saturday of Heritage Weekend at all Welcome Centers. Tickets are also for sale on-line through September 15.

Several historic churches in Moorefield will retrieve books of worship from the past and will give the audience a glimpse of a typical worship service from a much earlier era.

• During the 11 am Sunday morning service at the Presbyterian Church of Moorefield, the Rev. Katherine C. Jackson will lead an authentic period worship.

• At 11 am Sunday morning, Emmanuel Episcopal Church will conduct a special worship service to commemorate Hardy County's history.

• Duffey United Methodist Church in Moorefield will offer an 11 am service with Rev. Marvin Carr from WV Wesleyan College appearing as Francis Asbury, the early Methodist bishop and circuit rider. The service will include worshipers in period dress and old style singing.

On Sunday evening at 6 pm all are invited to the Old Fields Church / Ft. Pleasant Meeting House for an old fashioned hymn sing and prayer meeting to close out Heritage Weekend festivities. Experience a joint service organized by the Duffey United Methodist Church and the Moorefield Presbyterian Church. The Ft. Pleasant Meeting House hosted, sometimes jointly, both Methodists and Presbyterians at various times in its history. This service commemorates that religious cooperation.

The Town of Wardensville will host an Open House at the Wardensville Visitor Center located at 301 East Main Street. Activities include free light refreshments, a historic photo exhibit of Wardensville, table top displays by local groups showcasing their history and achievements and craft, quilt and art displays. The Visitor Center is located in an old schoolhouse that once served as a railroad station.

Just outside the front door of the Visitor Center is a Civil War Trails marker which tells how Wardensville residents lived through and contributed to the War.

Runners may sign up for a 10k/5k race to benefit the East Hardy Scholarship Fund. The gun sounds Saturday at 7 am for 10k runners and 8 am for 5k runners. Meet at the Wardensville Community Center. Entry fees are $45 for the 10k race and $35 for the 5k race. Runners are encouraged to line up sponsors well in advance. The race allows the Fund to award selected East Hardy High School graduates $1,500 per student to attend a college of their choice.

A lucky winner will take home some big bucks from Cow-Chip Bingo starting at 2 pm on Sunday at Reymann Memorial Farm, located just north of Wardensville on Route 259, on the left. Buy $15 tickets at Antiques, Etc. and Star Mercantile, both on Main Street in Wardensville.

The Arkansaw community pulls together an amazing variety of activities for Heritage Weekend. Residents and visitors alike enjoy music, food and demonstrations to delight every age group.

Saturday hours run from 9 am - 6 pm. Traditionally, the early birds take away the homemade pies, soups, apple butter and other baked goods. The Rinard Family entertains with country and gospel music beginning at 10 am. The group '5-of-a-Kind' offers gospel and bluegrass starting at 1 pm.

Other foods available include Turner ham and beef sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, french fries and homemade ice cream.

On Sunday events start at 11 am with a service at Zion Lutheran Church and a Sunday Dinner to follow. Sunday entertainers include Calvary's Mercy, singing old-time gospel; Ricochet, a musical comedy group; and Mike Upright with his own unique presentation.

Employing a secret known only to themselves, Arkansaw residents produce for Sunday's visitors the full spectrum of delicious foods that appeared on Saturday.

Location: Arkansaw Community Center

Directions: From Corridor H exit at Baker. Turn left (from Moorefield) or right (from Wardensville), and head toward Route 29 North for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Route 29 North for 0.8 miles. Turn left onto Arkansaw Road. Drive 0.3 miles to the Community Center, on the right.

From Mathias and other points in the Lost River Valley: Drive north on Route 259 to Baker. Turn right at A Corner Mart / BP gas station. Drive 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Route 29 North for 0.8 miles. Turn left onto Arkansaw Road. Drive 0.3 miles to the Community Center, on the right.

The homes tour is a central attraction of Heritage Weekend. Tickets to the homes tour are available at all three headquarters locations. Tickets for the entire tour are $12.00. Tour of a single home is $5.00. Get information, directions, and house tour tickets at the following Welcome Centers:

Hardy County Public Library, Main Street, Moorefield (304) 538-6560
Lost River Craft Cooperative, WV#259, Lost River (304) 897-7242
Antiques Etc., 295 N Main St., Wardensville, (304) 874-3300

For a detailed description of each historic building on the tour, please visit the "House Tours" page.

The Highland Star Quilters Guild keeps the Appalachian art of quilting alive. Their annual display of beautiful quilts and coverlets astounds the novice and expert alike. The public can vote for the People's Choice as well as their favorites in several other categories. This year's show features exquisite pieces by Moorefield's own Master Quilter Jonie Wolfe, known for her distinctive applique.

The Quilt Show runs Friday 7 - 9 pm, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday 1 - 4 pm in the Moorefield Elementary School at 400 North Main Street. Admission is $1.00. Children and students are admitted free.

The Craft Show remains a favorite stop during Heritage Weekend. Dozens of vendors from throughout the region sell handmade items running the gambit from candles and soap to woodwork and leather goods. In the Moorefield High School at 401 North Main Street, Saturday 9 am to 8 pm and Sunday 10 am - 3 pm. Admission is free.

Stunning photos of the last days of steam rail operations by world renowned photographer O. Winston Link will be on display in the Main Reading Room of the Hardy County Public Library. The Library will be open from 9 am - 6 pm on Saturday and from 12 noon - 5 pm on Sunday.

Local and regional artists display and sell their work in the large meeting room of the Hardy County Public Library at the corner of Main Street and Winchester Avenue. The Art Show is open 9 am - 5 pm on Saturday.

The Lost River Artisans Cooperative offers for sale juried Appalachian crafts by local and regional artisans in the historic Harper Barn on Route 259 in Lost River. Watch weavers, spinners, woodworkers, blacksmiths and other crafts people demonstrate their skills. Shop for unique works of art and visit Hardy County's only museum, this year featuring exhibits about Native Americans in the Lost River Valley. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

With roots that run deep, the folks of Mathias honor their heritage and history by handcrafting quilts, comforters, crochet items, candy, bread, wooden benches, bird feeders, cookware, baby clothes, jams and jellies, soap, outdoor plant stands, paintings and more. Sale hours extend from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and from12 noon - 5 pm on Sunday. The kitchen staff serves up hamburgers, hot dogs and fries for hungry travelers. The Mathias Community Center is located on Howards Lick Road, just off of Route 259 in Mathias.

Photographer Al Mach will display his outstanding Fine Art Giclees and artistic photo renderings of scenes from Winchester Avenue and other parts of Hardy and Grant Counties. Giclee (pronounced gee-CLAY, with a soft "g") is a revolutionary printing process identified by its brilliant color and razor sharp detail. View the display in the lobby of the Hardy County Courthouse, at the corner of Washington and North Elm Streets.

Orchid lovers, and those attached to them, will delight in Mr. Mach's "An Orchid For All Mankind," a show of Fine Art Giclees of 125 amazing orchids from some of the finest growers in the country.

The exhibit will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 1 - 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is free. Photos will be available for purchase.