JULIAN, W.Va. — An annual tradition continues in Boone County this weekend to raise scholarship money for local high school students going to West Virginia University.
Boone County WVU Alumni and Friends will hold its 37th Annual Pig Roast at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Water Ways Amphitheater near Julian.
Denise Workman, member of the WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors, said it’s important to rally the community together to give back to students who want to continue their education.
“Our name includes the ‘and Friends’ and so we want to engage our community in this event. We want to have something in which people can gather,” she said. “We have scholarships for our recent graduates, our incoming freshman. We have our underclassman covered and then also we give scholarships to our kids in professional schools like law school, physical therapy school, that sort of thing.”
This is the second year the chapter has incorporated a full-blown music festival at the Pig Roast. This year’s line-up includes Oak Hill native and Nashville singer/songwriter and recording artist Noah West, Logan County native and county music artist Kate Boytek, along with Greenbrier County’s own Tupelo Drive.
Workman said their fundraisers have provided nearly hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money to hundreds of Boone County high school graduates over the years.
In the first year, Workman said 10 people put $100 each on the table and the first year they gave one $1,000 scholarship. It helped buy a trumpet for a student who joined the WVU marching band.
“This year, we’ve given over $40,000 in scholarships to the students that apply,” she said. “Overall, our impact has been over $1 million.”
Registration is $35 per person, and students are free. The registration fee covers a barbecue dinner, all beverages and a t-shirt while supplies last.