A small core of Lewis County residents have banded together to try to resurrect the Stonewall Jackson Heritage Arts and Crafts Jubilee, saying it is too important to the county and to the culture to let die.

Bill Adler said some changes will have to be made if the event hosted the past 35 years during the Labor Day weekend is to be successful. He said the $8 admission fee will be cut in half, and there will be good news and bad news for those who set up as crafters or vendors.

"The bad news is, it will go from $50 to $100 on the setup," he said. "The good news is there will be no more percentage (taken from the sales and paid to the event organizers). We have to make sure the crafters and the groups make money."

Adler said the traditional musicians will still be held in a place of honor and will be welcomed. But he said there needs to be more of a variety to bring additional customers through the gate.

"We should always honor the music we've had here because it's special," he said, adding that gospel music will be added to the venue. "Religion and the heritage of this area go hand in hand.

"The Jubilee is as much about respect as it is about anything else. It's respecting tradition. It's respecting the old ways, and it's respecting one another."

Many in the audience offered their volunteer services to help the fledgling group. Those interested in helping should call the Lewis County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 304-269-7328 or the Mountain Lakes CVB at 304-269-4988.

The event will be known by a different name this year, something along the lines of the Jackson's Mill Jubilee. The original name is controlled by the incorporated board of directors, which has decided not to be involved together in this year's event. It cancelled the 2009 version, walking away from what the West Virginia University Extension Service was offering. The board did not want to incur additional bills it believed it could not repay.

"We voted not to have the Jubilee because of the financial restrictions we were placed under," said board President Debby Walker. "We are still a viable board."

Missing from Friday's gathering was Clarksburg businessman Joe Oliverio. He had pledged $30,000 of his own money for start-up costs to any group willing to take over the organization of the festival.

Commissioner Agnes Queen said she had received other financial offers from all over the country from people who want to support the heritage festival.

"This is a good opportunity for the community to come together," Queen said. "Everybody has their own talents."

Following the announcement earlier this month that the Jubilee was being cancelled, an outcry arose from the public. A "Save the Jubilee" page on Facebook already has more than 400 registered members, and people have been sending messages on how to keep the festival thriving.

"You have heritage that no one else has," said Bonita Currey, who traveled from Frederick, Md., to attend the meeting. "There is no reason for tour buses not to come hauling people here."

Linda Riffle of Weston, who said she served on the Strawberry Festival board for some time, said she tried to become a volunteer with the Jubilee many years ago but was turned down. She continued to support the festival with her attendance, and she offered her support to the new group.

"My heart's in Jackson's Mill," Riffle said. "I still love the Jubilee."

Queen said many community organizations need the festival for fundraising activities. She said a local volunteer fire department makes about $6,000 each year at the festival to offset its operational costs. A local school meets almost 100 percent of its fundraising budget by selling food and drinks at the Jubilee. The County Commission counts on the money raised by the hotel/motel tax generated by those who stay overnight at the Mill's cottages and lodge to help fund the county parks and library.

"Seven out of 10 people in Lewis County are affected by this," Commissioner Bob Rinehart said. "The Lewis County Commission is very supportive of whomever, whatever wants to get it done."

Adler said information will be sent to vendors and crafters in the coming days. He said the newly formed group will be meeting next week to begin to iron out details.