The State Capitol Building hosted the 12th annual Capital City Pumpkin Drop, hosted by the Education Alliance. Since 1998, students from all over West Virginia have used their creativity and math, science and physics know-how to win this skillful competition. Nearly 900 elementary, middle school and high school students from 31 schools representing 14 counties tested their math and science skills to compete and see whose pumpkin would withstand the drop from the third floor roof of the main Capitol building in their homemade containers.

The pumpkins must be eight inches in diameter or larger and the inside of the pumpkin may not be altered. The contains must be designed so that the pumpkin may be removed for inspection by the ground crew quickly after hitting the ground, with public safety in mind and to prevent damage to Capitol Complex property. The Pumpkin Drop is judged by Alliance staff and the Bridgemont Community and Technical College in Montgomery, WV. Trophies and cash prizes were to be awarded to the winners whose pumpkins survived the fall and landed closest to the designated target.

This weekend the South side of the State Capitol building will play host to dozens of firefighters from West Virginia and several other nearby states as they compete in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge. Competitors, including several from fire departments around West Virginia take part in several events over two days which simulate the real-life demands and rigors of the firefighting profession. The competition began today and runs through Saturday, September 12, 2009.

For more information visit the the Firefighter Combat Challenge website.

West Virginians gathered at the State Capitol today to remember the events of September 11, 2001 and to honor the memories of those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the United States and the rescue efforts which followed.

Students from Overbrook Elementary’s Kindergarten class taught by teacher Stephanie Simunic as well as children from the West Virginia Public Employee Day Care led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Liberty Bell was rung eight times, signifying the number of years since the horrific attacks occurred, by Dr. Kenneth Ambrose and his wife Sharon, whose son, Dr. Paul Ambrose, was killed in the attacks. John Cox from the Kanawha Valley Fife and Drum Corps closed the ceremony with Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes.

While August interim meetings and the third special session of 2009 are well underway at the Capitol, lawmakers, staff and constituents alike are being treated to a bit of culture on the grounds today.

Theatre West Virginia is promoting its summer shows with abbreviated performances of Seussical the Musical and High School Musical on the Capitol steps. Seussical the Musical is a combination of many of the books of Dr.Seuss. It debuted on Broadway in 2000. Written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahern, this play is one of the most frequently performed shows in America. High School Musical has been adapted from the Disney Channel’s hit musical.

The sweet sounds of the Appalachian dulcimer can also be heard rising from the well of the Capitol Rotunda today. The fretted, plucked instrument also known as the lap dulcimer, mountain dulcimer and hog fiddle is played by strumming the instrument as it sits on the musician’s lap. Theatre West Virginia’s own Emily Pritchard and Hunter Walker, both from Beckley, W.Va., have been playing the string instrument for all to hear this afternoon.

A pair of accomplished musicians, Walker and Pritchard took first and third respectively at June 21st Coshocton Dulcimer days in Coshocton, Ohio. The competition featured dulcimer musicians from throughout the Mid-East Region.