For 30 years, the town of New Straitsville has celebrated its firewater beginnings, and this weekend the town puts its past on display.
In 1970, the town ' 30 minutes from Athens ' held a centennial celebration, and the residents enjoyed it so much they decided to continue it. The Moonshine Festival has been a way to bring people to the town every spring since.
There always were some moonshiners
said Cheryl Blosser, who runs a stand at the festival and is president of a history group in New Straitsville. She cited the residents' Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English background as one of the factors of the town's rowdy reputation.
Problems with the economy started earlier in New Straitsville she said. The mines were closing and it was a way for people to make some extra money. Prohibition helped them out a lot ' it put the moonshine prices through the roof.
Visitors can purchase souvenirs from vendors, taste moonshine burgers and moonshine pies, as well as take part in carnival rides and games. There will be several parades and a few pageants ' including a Little Miss Moonshine and Little Mr. Moonshine, Blosser said.
There is a working moonshine still exhibit behind the former-depot stage
she said. We can run it
but we can't sell it (the moonshine). We used to give samples
but we're not allowed to serve it anymore.
New Straitsville moonshine ' also labeled as Straitsville Special or Straitsville Red ' put the town on the map, Blosser said.
There are true stories about people running into other people out of state who knew about the town
she said. The New Straitsville moonshine was the best quality ' you wanted to say you had it on your menu.
Moonshine, which is made with water, sugar, cornmeal and yeast and a few other ingredients, depending on the maker's preference, is distilled in a still and usually drank straight. It is illegal by federal law, according to the Code of Federal Regulations on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms Web site, to distribute moonshine, but owning a still and using it for small purposes is allowed.
You always ran the risk of going to jail
of course
Blosser said. It's not all about getting drunk; it's about making money. My husband's father made it
and he never drank a lick. I've had it several times
but I'm more of a wine drinker myself. It's strong
