BARNESVILLE — Local TV personality Nathan Shutt will cut the ribbon to officially kick off the 57th annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival at 5 p.m. Thursday, following the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Wednesday.

Shutt said he is honored to participate in the ceremony.

“My passion for meteorology grew from a young age,” the WTOV weatherman said. “During any severe weather coverage I would remain glued to the television anxiously holding on to every word my local meteorologist said. It is possible I was the only kid in school who would watch The Weather Channel on a daily basis, hoping one day I could be the one pointing on the weather map.”

Shutt attended Ohio State University after graduating from River View High School. With his degree in hand, he began his career close to home in Zanesville, Ohio, at WHIZ. Two-and-a-half years later, he landed at WTOV in Steubenville.

Both of his parents were graduates of Barnesville High School, and most of his family still lives in the area.

“Without a doubt one of the highlights of my childhood was the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival,” Shutt said. “I still remember when the parade was televised and when the remnants of a hurricane decided to rain on everyone’s parade.

“It is a privilege to be asked to be the ribbon cutter for the 2021 Barnesville Pumpkin Festival and a memory I am sure I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

The opening ceremony will include presentation of the festival queen, princess and mini miss as well as presentation of the King Pumpkin trophy sponsored by Doan Ford, presentation of the Founders Cup for the largest locally grown pumpkin sponsored by the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival in honor of the Martin Schumacher family, and presentation of the second- and third-place trophies sponsored by Doan Ford.