The 12th annual Sisters Fest to be held in Sistersville Friday and Saturday will be punctuated with a banquet speech by Beri Fox, president and chief executive officer of Marble King.

The local businesswoman will speak about her recent experiences on national television shows such as the “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central and “The Martha Stewart Show'” on the Hallmark Channel. She has also promoted the marble business on ‘”John Ratzenberger’s Made In America” on the Travel Channel and ‘”Some Assembly Required” on the Discovery Channel.

“Beri Fox has become a great proponent of American businesses, proving that products can still be successfully manufactured in the United States,” said Amy Witschey, a member of the Sisters Fest planning committee.

Marble King was the first U.S. children’s toy manufacturer to be granted license and unique USA-C ID: WV0AA.0075, to use the Made in USA Certified Seal.

“We’re so happy that she has agreed to share her enthusiasm and experiences with her fellow ‘sisters’ at Sisters Fest,” said Witschey, who noted Fox has often attended and been a spirited supporter of the yearly event.

The banquet is only one activity of the weekend festival that sports a Hawaiian theme of “Aloha, Sisters!” this year.

Sisters Fest is an event for sisters or even just close friends. It is open to all women age 16 and over.

Friday kicks off with the appetizer and dessert contest from 6-7 p.m. in the Elks Ballroom.

“As an extra incentive this year, the Sisters Fest committee has decided to add a new dimension to the contest. We will give an additional prize in each category (appetizer and dessert) for the best theme food,” said Witschey.

“So get creative and find ways to make your food fit the Hawaiian theme!”

Immediately following the tasting event, is the annual variety show. This has become a favorite for the fun-loving “sisters” who enjoy laughing at the wide variety of acts who are brave enough to take the stage. “It’s just an all-out fun time when the ladies get creative and entertain their friends-even ones they haven’t met yet!” said Betsy Westfall, committee member and emcee of the variety show.

Originally planned to be held in the newly reopened Gaslight Theater, the show has been returned to the Elks Ballroom as the theater’s elevator is currently out of operation, making it difficult or impossible for some Sisters Fest attendees to get to the second-floor theater.

Saturday’s events begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Elks Ballroom with breakfast by the Sistersville Volunteer Fire Department.

It lasts through 10:30 a.m. so the ladies can enjoy a meal while watching and participating in the “How Well Do You Know Your Sister?” game show that begins at 9:30 a.m.

This event, similar to The Newlywed Game, always elicits laughter as sisters and friends reveal secrets and bicker over the right answers.

A luncheon and tour will be held again at the Durham Mansion, thanks to the hospitality of Dan and Linda Marrin and culinary creations of the Lions Club Women. The afternoon will be filled with activities in the Elks Ballroom to include hula dancing, a limbo contest, and various games to help attendees get to know each other better.

The Mardi Gras parade was so much fun last year, that they plan on making it an annual event. So on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. the “sisters” and any local groups who wish to be part of the short but colorful parade will gather in front of the Wells Inn and proceed down Wells Street to the post office.

Any community groups who wish to be in the parade should call Sandy Goode at 304-815-2474.

The “sisters” will then gather on the post office steps for a group photo. Also, during the parade the women’s leis will be judged for prettiest and most creative with prizes to be given at the banquet that follows.

The banquet, catered by the Elks, will begin at 6 p.m. The banquet always serves as a great wrap-up to the weekend’s activities. Not only do attendees get a final chance to cement newfound friendships, but various contest winners are announced and door prizes are given.

In-person registration will begin Friday at 5 p.m. The cost to attend Sisters Fest is done on an a la carte basis with all attendees required to pay an $8 registration fee. After that the fee is based on what events sisters want to attend. The appetizer contest, variety show, and game show are included in the registration, but additional charges are levied for breakfast, $6; luncheon, $10; and banquet, $14.

“Where else can you have a weekend of fun with your sister and/or friends for only $38.00, which includes three meals, four if you count the appetizers and desserts for dinner on Friday night?” asks Westfall.

For more information about Sisters Fest visit www.sistersfest.com or Sisters Fest on Facebook; e-mail sistersfest@hotmail.com, or call Betsy Westfall at 304-771-8699.