FREE COPY!
2017 TRI-STATE
SUMMER
FUN GUIDE
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TABLE of CONTENTS
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Funington Huntington has a plethora of events and locations made just for kids this summer.
New River Train
Hop on a train, and see beautiful West Virginia this fall.
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Central City Market Fresh fruit and veggies can be found in the west end.
Camden Park
The sign of the happy clown has been a favorite for years
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Summer Fun Calendar If you know what day it is, you can find the fun!
Heat ‘N The Hills
FREE COPY!
2017 TRI-STATE
SUMMER
FUN GUIDE
Health fair, chili fest, and live music, all in Hamlin, WV.
On the cover and this page: Enjoy some live music, watch some fireworks, float down a river on a raft. The tri-state area abounds with things for you to do this summer. Have fun! Aerial and concert photos by Greg Perry/Kindred Communications Whitewater rafting photo by Adobe Stock
555 Fifth Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 (304) 523-8401
General Manager Mike Kirtner Contributor Bill Cornwell
Creative Director Greg Perry Contributor James E. Casto
Associate GM Reeves Kirtner First Subscriber Geoff Sheils
Senior Editor Woody Woodrum Printing Printograph, Inc.
Web Operations Alex Hackney All contents ©2017 Kindred Communications
www.PeckFest.com
SUMMER 2017: Day-By-Day
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If you know what day it is, look here for where to go for summer fun!
A
s usual, there is plenty to do this summer as school winds down and more folks are ready for that usual vacation. Locally, there is a lot to do in West Virginia as well as Kentucky and Ohio, so here is our usual events guide to the local summer. Save gas and diving time as you have fun all around the TriState area. compiled by Woody Woodrum Kindred Communications Inc.
Go to Facebook.com/gotowv, twitter. com/gotowv or youtube.com/user/gotowv for much more information on this summer’s great things to do. West Virginia has eight airports in Beckley, Bluefield, Clarksburg, Lewisburg, Morgantown and Parkersburg, but the two largest are Charleston’s Yeager Airport or Huntington’s Tri-State Airport. Go to www.transportation.wv.gov/aeronautics for more information on flights. For information on traveling in and to West Virginia by trains, call 800-8727245. Also check out www.amtrak.com. For road conditions in the state, go to WV511.org for information on traveling. W.Va. boasts six interstates: I-64, I-68, I-70, I-79 and I-81. Download the WV 511 app on your I-phone or other devices. With that being said, let’s get on with summer 2017. Here we go…
JUNE
Heiner’s/Dutch Miller Pullman Square Summer Concert Series
June 1 - August 31 Huntington, W.Va. 937thedawg.com 304-523-8401 Join the staff of The Dawg 93.7 every Thursday for live music at Pullman Square, free to all. Vendors will be on hand at the shows, as well as giveaways and specials, so bring your chairs or blankets and get ready for music on Thursday’s from 7-11 p.m.! June 1 - Big Planet Soul June 8 - Ona June 15 - City Heat June 22 - Kala DeHart and Rivertown June 29 - William Matheny July 7 - Carpenter Ants (Friday) July 13 - Oakwood Road Band July 20 - Buffalo Wabs July 27 - Santa Cruz Band August 3 - LC Band August 10 - Horsetraders August 17 - Madhouse in for “Marshall Night” August 24 - One Foot August 31 - Mindbender
Buddy’s All-American B.B.Q. Bike Nights
June 1 - August 31 Huntington, W.Va. http://wvbbq.com/default.asp 304-522-YUMY (9869) Enjoy joining the staff of The Planet 92.7/98.5 for the Original Huntington Bike Night at Buddy’s All-American B.B.Q. on Third Avenue, just one block west of Marshall University. If you got a hankering for good, sloppy, down home eats – extraordinary hot wings, hickory-smoked baby-back ribs, fall apart on your folk beef brisket, tasty chicken, and pork b.b.q. — then Buddy’s is your place, and is the place for YOU to be on Thursday’s nights for Bike Night. Bands confirmed at press time included City Heat (June 25) and ER (opening the year up on June 1). B.B.Q., brews, bands, bikes and babes — join us for all of that on Bike Night at Buddy’s!
Camden Park
Open June 1 - October 31 Huntington, W.Va. camdenpark.com 304-429-4321 West Virginia’s only amusement park has more than 30 rides and attractions, including a wooden roller coaster, “The Big Dipper,” which many roller coaster enthusiasts come from all over the nation to ride. Play miniature golf on our West Virginia Adventure Golf Course, and ride
–6– Swan Lake in one of our swan-styled
paddle boats. Sit and cool off in our air-conditioned West Virginia Grille, or eat park foods like cotton candy, pronto pups and hot dogs. In October, join the folks at Camden Park for “Spooktacular” when the park puts on its best Halloween.
Live on the Levee
June 2 - September 1 Charleston, W.Va. www.liveontheleveecharleston.com Free music every Friday Night at Haddad Riverfront Park in downtown Charleston. 50-50 raffles for the sponsors have raised over $75,000 over the years, as LOTL has partnered with the Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center, YMCA’s Sojourners Shelter, the Covenant House, Manna Meals, and the Religious Coalition for Community Renewal’s Samaritan Inn are some of the groups the LOTL raises moneys for. June 2 - Special Olympics Night features Mother Nature featuring Lola Spencer June 9 - Capital City Biker Bash Night features The Joe Hunt Project Band and Jack Dunlap and the 2 Dollars Short Band June 16 - FestivALL Night featuring The Company Stores and William Matheny June 23 - FestivALL Night featuring Landau Eugene Murphy and The Carpenter Ants June 30 - WTSQ 88.1 FM Night features Whiskey Daredevils of the Dell July 7 - Veterans Night features with Sundy Best and Union Sound Treaty July 14 - Split Nixon and No Pretty Pictures performs July 21 - Qiet and 10,000 Maniacs performs July 28 - FOOTMAD Night presents Nora Jane Struthers and the Party Line with Gypsy Rhythm August 4 - Multifest Night presents
All-Star Show Band and Priscilla Price August 11 - Stark Raven and The Band Wagon performs August 18 - SportsFest Night presents Ashton Shepherd and Seth Bunting August 25 - Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band Tusk and Tim Browning and the Widowmakers Sept. 1 - Southern Avenue closes out the year for Live on the Levee.
Sixth Annual Bunbury Music Festival
June 2-4 Cincinnati, Ohio BunburyFestival.com Ticketmaster.com Sawyer’s Point and Yeatman’s Cove in downtown Cincinnati is the place for great music: Wiz Khalifa, G-Eazy, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, MUTEMATH, Mike Stud, NF, Eden, Civil Twilight, July Talk, Flor, The Upset Victory, Flying Underground, Alex Angelo, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, D.R.A.M., Tech, N9ne, Hayley Kiyoko, Kevin Garrett, Cobi, CVBZ, Muse, the 1975, Thirty Seconds to Mars, AFI, Flogging Molly, Time Cat, and many more bands.
Meigs County Gold Wings & Ribs Fest
June 2-3 Pomeroy, Ohio http://goldwingsandribs.com/ 1-877-Meigs-Co Motorcycles, Entertainment and BBQ lead the way to Southeast Ohio’s 10th Annual Gold Wings & Ribs Festival. Located on Main Street with the beautiful Ohio River just the other side of the festival activities. What a View! Home of “Ohio’s Best Ribs” & “Ohio’s Best Wings”. Motorcycle tour, Motorcycle light parades, Honda & Harley Dealers, Chrome, Honda & Harley “Bling”, Pin stripping, Patches. For the art lover we have Art in the Park.
For the History buff Meigs County is the site of an official John Hunt Morgan Civil War battleground. Cookie Stacking, Pickle spittin, and BBQ Hog Callin contests, Two days of free entertainment on the Riverfront Amphitheatre. Nice hometown shops for the shopping bug. What a wonderful weekend, and did we mention the Food! Just 30 minutes south of Ohio University off SR 33 on SR 833.
6th Annual Tricon WV’s Comic Con
June 3 Huntington, W.Va. Big Sandy Superstores Arena Ticketmaster.com www.TriconWV.com Comic books have taken the entertainment industry by storm. Be it books, movies or games, comics have become the most influential medium in storytelling. Guests include comic greats Rico Renzi (Spider-Gwen, The Incredible Squirrel Girl), Ian McGinty (AdventureTime, Welcome To Showside, Rick & Morty), and many others. This lineup has already roused the area’s comic enthusiasts, but a recent reveal has sent a thrill through the community. “Joining this year is voice-acting superstar Neil Kaplan,” said Eric Watkins, co-founder of The Tri-State Comic Con. “Kaplan is known for voicing Optimus Prime in Transformers, Emperor Zarkon in Netflix’s Voltron series, and the dragon Arurelion Sol in League of Legends.” Also featured is WWE’s The Boogeyman, who has found notoriety for his extreme performances and costuming both inside and outside the ring. Most recently, the Boogeyman competed in the 2015 Royal Rumble and the WWE Network’s Swerved. The Tri-State Comic Con will take place Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in downtown Huntington. General Admission is $10 for adults and
free for children under 10 with a paid adult admission. VIP passes are currently available for $25.
11th Annual North Mountain Arts Festival at Orr’s Farm Market
June 3-4 Martinsburg, W.Va. www.NorthMountainArtsFestival. com The 11th annual North Mountain Arts Festival at Orr’s Farm Market includes fresh fruit, fresh veggies, juried artisans, rides thru the orchard, animals, food, and bands Saturday and Sunday as well as a live radio broadcast on Saturday. This event is fun for the entire family, and Free! Also don’t forget there is a raffle for the Berkeley County back pack program for a hand built “Cigar Box” guitar hand made from Steve Reneker, Hillbilly Cigar Box Guitars.
Heritage Farm Museum and Village
June 7 - Sept. 23 Huntington, W.Va. heritagefarmmuseum.com 304-522-1244 Step back in time with West Virginia’s first Smithsonian Affiliate as we recreate and preserve Appalachian Heritage. Lodging, food, pool, special lodging rates with Camden Park tickets and much more. June 7-Sept. 27 on Wednesdays - Kid’s Day, with a chance to grind corn, play/ learn in the Children’s Activity Museum, visit the petting zoo, play/learn in the Discovery Zone, and ride in a wagon. July 1 - Summer Festival and Home-
made ice-cream social. July 1-31 - Celebrate … America as Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson will be at Heritage Farms all throughout July August 1-31 - Celebrate … Appalachia with the Hatfield & McCoy feud, old-time music and sitting a spell in a rocking chair. Sept. 23 - The Mountain Games are scheduled.
26th Annual Newport Italianfest
June 8-11 Newport, Ky. http://www.newportky.gov/Blogs/ Events/Archives/2017/01/2017-Festival 859-292-3666 Join us for the 26th Newport Italianfest, named a Top 20 Event for June by the Southeast Tourism Society and held along Newport’s Riverboat Row between the Purple People and Taylor-Southgate Bridges. The festival has authentic Italian food and live Italian music performed by entertainers from around the nation and from “the old country”, a Golf Outing, and a Family Photo Booth showcasing the history of Italian families that settled in Newport generations ago. The Second Annual Lauren Hill 5K Spaghetti Run will be on Saturday at 7 p.m. Other fun includes a cooking contest, games, and rides for the little ones. Events kick off with a Bocci Ball Tournament at Pompilio’s Restaurant on Wednesday. The event averages over 100,000 visitors.
Capital City Biker Bash
June 8-10 Charleston, W.Va. www.capitolcitybikerbash.com The 6th annual Capitol City Biker Bash, sponsored by Go Mart and Mountain Dew, at Haddad Riverfront Park on a closed down Kanawha Blvd. in downtown Charleston — benefiting HospiceCare
–7– in the area. Includes a HospiceCare Ride on Sat., June 10. Music includes a Battle of the Bands on each night, Thursday-Friday-Saturday, with Trick Pony and The Audio Outlaws going head-to-head on the final night. Food trucks, vendors, a bike show, free concerts, bikini contest and prize drawings on lottery tickets every night.
Festival of the Bluegrass
June 8-11 Kentucky Horse Park Campground Lexington, Ky. festivalofthebluegrass.com 859-253-0806 Bluegrass in the Bluegrass, the festival features on Thursday, the Lonesome River Band, Flatt Lonesome, Custom Made Bluegrass, and Camp Kids. Friday features IIIrd Tyme Out, Sideline, Cumberland Gap, Hammertowne, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, and Newtown. On Saturday, hear Town Mountain, Seldom Scene, The Grascals, Band of Ruhks, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Dry Branch Fire Squad, and The Wooks. On Sunday, you will hear Dry Branch Fire Squad and True Life Travelers. A 4-day ticket is $100 or with primitive camping $115, and there are daily tickets as well. Children 12 and under are free.
Banana Split Festival
June 9-10 Wilmington, Ohio https://www.facebook.com/Banana-Split-Festival-218085874901545/ At the home of the original banana split (they say it was done first here, folks in Pennsylvania say they were first), the dairy queen-type treats will have games, a car show, eating contest, a 5K run, and a baseball tournament in its honor, plus two days of music with Rewind, Reload, Blue Steel, Rhythm Union, The Folks, Sawgrass, Carolyn Plummer, Smooth,
and Passion. Join them at the JW Denver Williams, Jr. Memorial Park for a banana split in June.
Geek Out 4.0
June 9-11 8501 College Corner Road, at Hannon’s Camp America College Corner, Ohio (near Hueston Woods State Park) http://www.geekout-hca.com/#geekhome Come geek out and camp out with us at our annual comicon event. Geek Out 4.0 is a fun filled 3 day adventure into nerdom, including live music, video game tournaments, cosplay contest, artist, vending and much, much more. Event times and Pricing: Friday: 12-8 p.m., Saturday: 12-8 p.m., and Sunday: 12-5 p.m. All 3 days pass: ($30), Saturday-Sunday pass: ($30), and Sunday only: ($5). Free for 12-years and younger and tent camping is included in your ticket price. Alcohol is permitted, but during convention time must be kept at a minimal or you will be asked to leave and no glass bottles are allowed. The Middle Earth (Middle Field) is adult camping ONLY and family camping must remain closer to Grandma’s Pizza Shop. Cabins are all rented but there is
plenty of camping!! If you’re an artist, or you know someone who is, please contact Steve Hannon at Hannon@geekout-hca. com. We are still accepting vendors and we can’t wait to Geek Out with everyone this summer.
#WeBAM
June 9-10 Huntington, W.Va. CreateHuntington.com Taking place at 311 9th Street, #WeBAM will be full of pop-up businesses, music and engagement. Saturday is a day full of activities, workshops, vendors, food trucks, and much more, including a fashion show, and music by Brad Goodall (the keyboard player for the band, Ona) and music from the Honky Tonk Heroes, Jacey Fuller, UV Jazz Quartet, Thyrd Wyrld, and Cumberland Rock.
The Ronceverte River Fest
June 9-12 Ronceverte, W.Va. 304-647-7400 ronceverteriverfestival@yahoo.com (email) The Festival held the second weekend in June each year in the mountains of eastern West Virginia at Ronceverte. It
is the home of The Great Rubber Ducky Race, and a $5 ticket can win you $10,000 or $14,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle at Bill Lewis Motors! Free entertainment is in the Amphitheater, you can join the Duck Legs Contest on Saturday evening, or come early to enter The Community Games. There are children’s games to be played Saturday morning and carnival rides all weekend. Sunday you can come worship in the amphitheater then hit the road for the annual Poker Run, play in the basketball tournament, or watch the mud bog. Get ready for Irish Road Bowling or a Chili Cook Off, but how about how doing both? Finish your weekend with a grand fireworks display.
Barboursville Outdoor Movie Nights
June 9 - August 11 Barboursville, W.Va. http://www.barboursville.org Join the Village of Barboursville for outdoor movies at the Barboursville City Park. June 9’s feature is Lego Batman, where nearly a hundred of the Caped Crusaders Rouge’s Gallery show up to harm the Dark Knight and Robin, the Boy Wonder. July 14 will be Finding Dory, the follow-up to Finding Nemo, with Dory, the
–10– slightly addled blue fish is missing. August 11 will feature Moana, with the voice of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui, the legendary shape-shifting demigod who sends our young hero, Moana, on the journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Mayor Chris Tatum hopes you will come, enjoy the movies and have fun in his Village of Barboursville.
Old Central City Days
June 9-11 Huntington, W.Va. Oldcentralcity.org History 14th Street Festival in its 26th year will include free music, vendors, informational booths, food and inflatables. Come and shop in W.Va.’s best antique district in the area known as Old Central City!
Ride For Wishes
June 10 Langsville, Ohio AEP Gavin Equine and Huntington Area 740-949-2657 740-742-2320 The Meigs Chapter of OHC is having a horse ride to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation which helps a child with a life threatening illness have his wish come true. Last year a child in our area had his wish come true before he passed away. He was sent on a trip to Disney World along with his parents and a nurse. Call the numbers above for more information about this ride that will include a pig roast, hot dogs and all the fixings at the end of the ride, and there will be prizes for those who raise the most money.
Hatfield and McCoy Family Reunion
June 10 Matewan, W.Va.
hatfield-mccoyreunionfestival.com 304-426-4092 Learn about the feud between the W.Va. Hatfield and the Kentucky McCoy families from their relatives at the family reunion for the two families of the famous - or infamous - feud. The families will have a Tug of War over the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, dividing line for W.Va. and Ky. There will also be guided tours through Matewan, site of a shooting of a Police Chief Sid Hatfield, who was favoring the miners, and the Baldwin-Felts Detectives hired by the mine owners. The Matewan Massacre and the Battle of Matewan — the biggest shoot-out in U.S. history, bigger than the gunfight at the OK Corral — and led indirectly to the Battle of Blair Mountain by striking miners, 10,000 armed, met 3,000 lawmen and strikebreakers and over one million rounds were fired eventually killing 30 on the law’s side and 50-to-100 miners. The battle left seven detectives, included Albert and Lee Felts, three townspeople and two miners (Tot Tinsley and Bob Mullins) dead. The Mayor of Matwan, Cabell Testerman, was shot and would eventually die and four other bystanders were injured but would live. Gov. John J. Cornwell ordered the State Police to take control of Matewan, where later Tom Felts returned with charges against Hatfield and his men, which were all acquitted, but later detectives returned to shoot dead both Hatfield and his deputies right in front of their wives.
Picnic With The Pops
June 10 Huntington, W.Va. Harris Riverfront Park www.huntingtonsymphony.org Hometown Stars is the theme of this year’s first Picnic With the Pops, featuring Jon Eric Booth, Lara Donohue, Ryan Hardiman and Christa Navy. A magical
evening featuring local celebrities singing popular music from golden standards to Broadway hits. Bring your chair to the Riverfront Amphitheater and enjoy Picnic with the Pops.
FestivALL Charleston
June 10-25 festivallcharleston.com 304-470-0489 A city-wide multi-arts festival celebrating 10 days in June with continued programming over the 10 days. Events include Live on the Levee, Mountain State music, the Capitol Art Fair, Wine and All That Jazz, the Mayor’s Concert, Charleston Light Opera, Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff, River Queen Cruise, and much more. 400-plus artists, 80 events, 300plus performances and 35 venues adds up to one of West Virginia’s, and the Mid-Atlantic region’s, largest events.
Elk River Canoe and Kayak Float
June 10 Sutton, W.Va. braxtonwv.org/float 304-765-6533 Enjoy a free float on the Elk River, with shuttle service provided back to point of departure.
Third Annual Buckeye Country Superfest
June 10-11 Columbus, Ohio Ohio Stadium Ticketmaster.com 800-745-3000 Huge weekend of country music at “The Horseshoe,” as Ohio Stadium is known as. Acts include Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Billy Currington, Frankie Ballard, Jana Kramerd, Craig Campbell, Lanco and much more. Single
day tickets are available as are weekend passes.
Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival
June 16-18 Parkersburg, W.Va. movmcrf.org 800-752-4982 Where in WV will you find reggae, Latin, Mexican, native-American, Celtic and Americana-roots musicians all sharing the same stage? Where in WV will you find Native American Dancers, Middle Eastern Dancers and Martial Artists all performing at the same event? Where can you eat Polish Kielbasa, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Italian Pizza, Funnel Cakes, Chinese Egg Rolls, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, and an all American hot dog within steps of one another? It is only at the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival, or MOVMCF, at the Parkersburg City Park in Wild Wonderful West Virginia, June 16-18. The Festival is free to the public and celebrates diversity with a smorgasbord of artists and performers. Our goal is to highlight a variety of cultural and ethnic groups, showcasing artistic performances of traditional music and dance. Entertainment is by Kevin Locke, a native-American Hoop Dancer, Brady
Young acoustic music, the West Virginia Scottish Highland Dancers, Ugata West Africa music, Samadhi tribal fusion belly dance, Creative Flame, Dum Rhythm Turkish-style music, Bella’s Bartok Bohemian Klezmer Punk music, Corey Shields folk music, and the Brady Young Quartet jazz musicians.
US Youth Soccer President’s Cup
June 16-19 Barboursville, W.Va. http://www.wvsoccer.net/cups/presidents_cup/ US Youth Soccer has a second National Championship known as the Presidents Cup. Region I (West Virginia, Virginia, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania West, Eastern Pennsylvania, New York West, Eastern New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, and Connecticut) holds their Regional Championship on June 1719, 2017 with registration on Friday night June16th. The Tournament location will be in Barboursville, W.Va. Region I (East) has competition for the following age groups for both Boys and Girls U12 (9v9), U13, U14, U15, U16, and U17/18. Hotels from Greenup, Ky. to Charleston, W.Va. will be filled over the weekend, as will be
restaurants, movie theaters, shops, –11– gas stations, etc. will be filled with guests from the Northeastern US so welcome them again to our area for great Youth soccer.
Sommer Im Biergarten Sommerfest
June 16 - July 21 - August 18, all at 5 p.m. Red, White & Brats July 3, at 5 p.m. Oktoberfest September 15-17 http://germaniacolumbus.org/ Sommerfest is three times this years, with open air music, food and games. Sommerfest is a downtown Columbus tradition – not to be missed - the public is welcomed and admission is free. On the Fourth of July (well, the third anyhow) join up from 5-11 p.m. for a celebration of Germans in America, with Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Large Pretzels and Fun, and see the fireworks from our patio, and again, the public is welcome and the admission is free. Finally, celebrate Oktoberfest on Friday, September 15, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, September 16, 4–11 p.m., and Sunday, September 17, noon-8 p.m. Oktoberfest is our largest public event of the year.
Come and celebrate a German tradition in downtown Columbus. Music is by The Germania Men’s and Women’s choruses, the Swiss Singers, Hank Haller, and Dave S. and Frank Svet, with free admission and everyone is welcome. Celebrate Germania - We sing, we dance, we eat … and we wear Lederhosen!
3rd Annual Firkin Fest
June 17 Ashland, Ky. ashlandinmotion.org From 1-6 p.m., it is the third annual Firkin Fest for craft beers and live music. $25 for general admission, $50 for VIP admissions so come and join the fun.
Blenko Glass W.Va. Day Celebration
June 17-18 Milton, W.Va. www.blenko.com 877-425-3656 Continuing a tradition of offering a very limited, special edition glass wear to celebrate the birthdate of the state of West Virginia, which will be 154 this June 20 — so we will make 154 birthday issue glass wear pieces, and only 154! A Friday night open house event includes pieces
with special pricing. The W.Va. Birthday piece is offered beginning at 8 a.m., and a first come, first served basis. The line sometimes starts several days before the Saturday offering, so when they are gone, they are gone.
Tour de Coal
June 17 Tornado, W.Va. www.coalrivergroup.com 304-419-4417 The largest flat water kayak event in West Virginia. Enjoy a great day of floating down the scenic Coal River.
Boogie on the Bricks
June 17 Athens, Ohio http://boogieonthebricks.com/ Boogie on the Bricks is a one-day FREE Community Music & Arts Street Festival held on the bricks of beautiful Athens, Ohio. Admission to the festival is FREE. Come dance in the street, listen to an eclectic array of musicians, visit with old friends and make some new. The 2017 festival will feature two stages with live music, craft and domestic beer, wine, food vendors, local merchandise & art vendors, local non-profit organi-
zations, and a Kid’s Zone. Bands –13– include Qiet, SassafraZ, Tales of Joy, Fisher Cast, Word of Mouth Jazz Band, Come On-Come On, Will Thimmes, and Blues Cowboys on The Platform (Court Street, between W. State St. and Carpenter St.). Bands on the Holzer Acoustic Stage (Court St. at Washington St.) are Mike Perkins, Emerson B, Jake Retting, Acoustic Avalanche, Colleen Carow, and Matt Williman.
West Virginia Day Festival
June 17 Flatwoods, W.Va. wvday.com 304-216-9445 Celebrate W.Va.’s founding and Father’s Day as well with one great event. We have a three-pit mud bog, car shows, inflatables, music, great food and much more.
Jungle Jim’s International Beer Fest
June 16-17 Cincinnati, Ohio http://www.junglejims.com/beerfest/ index.asp 513-674-6000 Mark your calendars for June 16 and
–14– 17, 2017 for one of the largest and longest-running Beer Festivals in Cincinnati: Jungle Jim’s International Craft Beer Fest. The International Craft Beer Festival, taking place at Oscar Event Center, is a two-night spectacle that we want to be “All About The Beer.” Year ‘round, we love educating, we love sharing, and, of course, we love beer. And the International Craft Beer Festival is our chance to enjoy all of those things at once. There will be limited early admission tickets for those looking to get a head start and avoid some of the crowd, and plenty of general admission tickets will be available to make sure everyone who wants to enjoy this truly spectacular show will be able to. We’ll have over 100 breweries showcasing more than 400 beers, including a few unique brews you won’t be able to find at your typical beer festival. Included in the ticket price, as well, will be access to a variety of food stuff and pub grub - we want to make sure this as full of an experience as possible.
tion with a goal to promote, preserve, and enhance Nolin Lake at Mammouth Caves.
Baby Bison Days and Charity Pow Wow
June 17-18 Boss Bison Ranch, Cadiz, Ohio http://bossbisonranch.wixsite.com/ The Boss Bison Ranch is located about one hour northwest of Wheeling, W.Va. or one hour northeast of Cambridge, Ohio in Cadiz, the hometown of Clark Gable of “Gone With The Wind”
Summer Beerfest @ Jacobs Pavillion
June 17 Cleveland, Ohio https://www.facebook.com/ events/159643567896051/ www.BeerfestTickets.com Join thousands of Craft Beer fans as we celebrate “Summer in the City” with great craft beer and food trucks along the river at Jacobs Pavilion @ Nautica! Bands from the big stage, all your local and regional craft brewery favorites, and the best local food trucks. All proceeds benefit Animal Rescue Partners, Inc. 2 Sessions: The “Fun in the Sun” Session from 2-5 p.m., or early admission at 1 p.m. and the Night Session 8-11 p.m. and early admission at 7 p.m.
Summer Splash and Houseboat Hop
June 17 Nolin Lake State Park Mammoth Caves, Ky. friendsofnolinlake.org Don’t miss out on this unique summer celebration! Depart Moutardier Marina and follow the parade of boats to Nolin Lake State Park and listen to music along the way. Then park your boat and enjoy an evening of music. We will have food and product vendors, and activities for the family at Nolin Lake State Park. There will be a spectacular set of fireworks to end the event. The Friends of Nolin Lake is a non-profit, public service organiza-
This year is hosted by the Lonesome River Band and includes acts The Del McCoury Band, The SteelDrivers, Russell Moore And IIIrd Tyme Out, Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver, Flatt Lonesome, Hammertowne, The Grascals, Turning Ground, Rhonda Vincent And The Rage, Volume 5, Larry Cordle And Lonesome Standard Time, Junior Sisk And Ramblers Choice, PPR, Billie Renee And Cumberland Gap, Steve Dilling And Sideline, Dave Adkins Band, The Wooks, Balsam Range, Jaelee Roberts Band, and Sammy Adkins and Sandy Hook Mountain Boys. Come to the Carter County Fairgrounds and spend the weekend. Admission is $90 for all days (until June 1, then $100), or $40 per day. There is a $45 pass for teenagers (13-17) to attend all four days and children under 12 get in free. There is both 200+ electric hookups with limited water and primitive camping (including free camping with a weekend pass), with shower houses, and there will be vendors for crafts and for food. Purchase tickets at ticketbud.com or send SASE with check/money order to Rudy Fest, P.O. Box 239, Grayson, Ky. 41143.
37th Music in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival
fame.This is a inter-tribal Charity pow wow honoring our veterans and first responders. Admission is non-perishable food item (monetary donations also welcome) and all donations go to Harcatus Food Pantry. Gates open from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. on Sunday. The grand entry is at noon both days. We will have native-American dancing, food, native crafts, vendors, and demonstrations. All drums welcome, vendors by invitation only and we look forward seeing you there.
17th Annual RudyFest June 21-24
Grayson, Ky. www.rudyfest.com Rudy Burchett 606-316-6677Rudy Burchett 606-316-6677
June 21-24 Summersville, W.Va. www.adamsbluegrass.com Music with a bluegrass spin is the type of music at this festival, located at the Summersville Music Park, 7441 Webster Road. This is an outdoors festival, so bring your own chairs or blankets. In case of rain, there is a pavilion at the rear of the show. Camping, hotels and other accommodations are available. Acts include Dailey & Vincent, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Marksmen, The US Navy Band Country Current, The Inspirations, The Little Boy & Lizzy Show, The Larry Stephenson Band, Lost & Found, Sons of the South, Goldwing Express, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, The Harris Brothers, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, and much more. Tickets are available for one day, three days or four day pricing, children under 7 are free, food and vendors are available, no alcohol or drugs allowed, no smoking and no pets in music area, and camping is available with no reservation needed - we will have shows, rain or shine. FREE COPY!
2017 TRI-STATE
SUMMER
FUN GUIDE
24th Annual WV Coal Festival
June 22-25 Madison, W.Va. 304-369-9118 www.boonecountrywv.org Food, fun, car shows, music and more at this festival in the heart of Boone County, W.Va.
Gallipolis Car Club Cruise Ins
June 23 - July 14 - Sept. 9 Gallipolis, Ohio www.facebook.com/groups/gallipoliscarclub Tom Davis - 740-578-1015 Three Cruise Ins are set for this summer by the Gallipolis Car Club. The June 23 Cruise In is from 5-8 p.m. at Aaron’s Rentals beside Wal-Mart. The July 14 event is sponsored by and held at Norris Northrup Dodge in Gallipolis, from 6-9 p.m. The final Cruise In is at the Gallia County Visitor’s Center at the Gallipolis City Park during the Gallipolis BBQ Festival, running noon-3 p.m. No alcoholic beverages are allowed and there is no charge to come and Cruise In with the Gallipolis Car Club.
2nd Annual Festival On The Hill
June 23-24 Dayton, Ohio https://festivalonthehill.org/ 937-222-9103 Located on the grounds of the Dayton Masonic Center, this is Dayton’s summerfest, running from 5-11 p.m. on Friday and noon-11 p.m. on Saturday. Music on Friday includes The Outlets, Ithica and Vicious Cycle and on Saturday The Blue Leafs, 33 People, Eric Jerardi, Spungewurthy and 7 Bridges — the ultimate Eagles experience. The Special Olympics Ohio Ride/Rally starts from Ride 1 Powersports
(in Springfield) at 1 p.m. on Satuday, and will run about three hours, and benefits Special Olympics Ohio. Tickets are only $6 for general public and $5 for active military, law enforcement and first responders. Seating is on a lawn, so bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Ohio Scottish Games
June 23-24 Wilmington, Ohio http://www.ohioscottishgames.com/ The Ohio Scottish Games are held at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio on the fourth Saturday every June. Established in 1977, this long standing event is presented by members of The Ohio Scottish American Cultural Society of Ohio, an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of their proud Scottish Heritage and ancestry. The Ohio Scottish Games highlight the traditional dance, music and athletics of the ancient highland games. This event is for the enjoyment of all Scots and friends as well as to introduce the Scottish Arts and traditions to the community.
Greenbo Lake State Park Unbridled Series
June 24 parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/ greenbo Get ready for another great year of the Unbridled Series 2017 series, continuing an exciting collection of adventure races being held in partnership with Kentucky State Parks and the KY State Parks Foundation, and sponsored by 361-degrees Adventures. For those new to the sport, plan on each race including some form of mountain biking (on and off road), trekking (running or walking), and paddling (generally flat-water). As with all adventure recreation, good navigation with a topographical map and compass
will make all the difference in how –15– well your race goes. All races are open to soloists and teams of 2, 3 or 4. Plan on spending — for example, let’s say the six hour race at Greenbo Lakes State Park — it would include approximately 10 miles on foot, 5 miles on water and 20+ miles on the bike. Teams should plan on being self-sufficient for the entire race, as support crews with food, water, etc. are not permitted and teams must be prepared to treat water with iodine or other methods on the trail.
Taste of Ironton
June 24 Farmer’s Market Square Ironton, Ohio https://www.facebook.com/tasteofironton We’ve been in the Taste of Ironton planning stages for the past few months. It’s now that time when our restaurants get their registration forms to complete before deadline. We had verbal commitments before the forms even started going out, so we’re on a roll. June 24th in Farmer’s Market Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale at the event at 10 a.m. and we will be accepting credit and debit this year in addition to cash. Ticket booklets will go on sale around the beginning of June (sales locations TBA). Buy yours in advance and get a free drink. They are still $10 each for 10 $1 taste tickets.
Natsu no Tsubasacon 2017
June 25/October 13-15 Huntington, W.Va. Ritter Park http://www.tsubasacon.org/ Our annual free to attend picnic in Ritter Park, similar to last year we’re running this true potluck style, so make sure to sign up and bring a dish if you want to eat! We’ll also be taking dona-
–16– tions for The Ronald McDonald House. Potluck signup is at http://www. perfectpotluck.com. This picnic is also a first gathering before Tsubasacon in Huntington, October 13-15, at the Big Sandy Superstores Arena, the biggest and best of its kind in the Tri-State!
Journey and Asia
June 27 Huntington, W.Va. Big Sandy Superstores Arena Journeymusic.com www.originalasia.com Ticketmaster.com 800-745-3000 Journey is one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, creating some of the best-known songs in modern music, with iconic hits such as “Faithfully,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Wheel In The Sky,” “Separate Ways,” “Only the Young,” ““Open Arms,” “Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Who’s Crying Now,” and the seminal “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which is the top-selling digital catalog track in history. Since its formation in 1973 in San Francisco, Journey has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, earning 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums. Neal Schon (founding member and lead guitarist), Ross Valory (original member and bassist), and longtime members Jonathan Cain (keyboardist) and Arnel Pineda (lead singer), welcomed virtuoso drummer Steve Smith back into Journey in 2016. Also appearing is legendary British band Asia, with John Wetton on lead vocals and bass, Carl Palmer is on the drums, Geoff Downes on keyboards, and Sam Coulson on guitars. Tickets start at $49.50. FREE COPY!
2017 TRI-STATE
SUMMER
FUN GUIDE
JULY
27th Pt. Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta
June 29-30 and July 1-2 Point Pleasant, W.Va. www.pointpleasantregatta.org This is where the Kanawha River meets the mighty Ohio River, and includes free music from Steve Moakler on June 30 and Restless Road on July 1. There are patents from babies to the Miss Tenn Pagent, all age divisions and all levels (except Teen Miss) are restricted to Mason County residents. The parade is starting at the Board of Education Office on Main Street starting at 11 a.m. on July 2, and earlier on the second of July is the Pt. Pleasant Regatta River Run, either 5K, 10K or Kid’s Fun Run.
25th Annual St. Albans Riverfest
June 29 - July 2 St. Albans, W.Va. www.saintalbansriverfest.com Join all the fun at the St. Albans Riverfront Park as Riverfest celebrates its 25th event since 1993. There will be free entertainment, free admission, craft and food vendors and a carnival.
Homegrown Music & Arts Festival
June 30 - July 2 Snowshoe Mountain, W.Va. 877-441-4386 www.snowshoemtn.com The Homegrown Music & Arts Festival is a celebration of the music, arts and culture of Appalachia and our beautiful state of West Virginia’s homegrown artists. Beyond the music, this family-friendly event features local artisans
and vendors, activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.
ValStock 2017
June 30 - July 5 Kitts Hill, Ohio http://greendragonfarms.org/ Hosted at the Green Dragon Farms (5876 County Road 19 in Kitts Hill), will have a plethora of pulsating pianos, guitars and drums. Bands include The Recipe, Let’s Be Leonard, Creek Don’t Rise, Qiet, Moonshine Crossing, Karpet Dabs, Sour Mash String Band, Larry Whitt and Blue-Eyed Soul, Aaron Miller and the Western Warlords, Heavy Hitters, $5 Red, Hye Water, Southern Riot,
Paradise on the Point at Sawyer Point
June 30 - July 1 Cincinnati, Ohio http://www.paradiseonthepoint.com/ This is a one of a kind event coming to the Cincinnati, OH area and will be hosted at one of the area’s premier outdoor venues, Sawyer Point. Admission to the event is entirely FREE and all ages are allowed and encouraged. Musical acts ranging from local bands to internationally recognized talent, will be joining us both June 30 and July 1. Headlining acts include Lettuce, The Infamous Stringdusters, Trevor Hall, Turkuaz, and more. There will also be an array of craft beer selections brought to you by Taft’s Ale House which will be available for purchase to those of legal drinking age and during hours of operation. A variety Local food vendors will also be available so no need to pack a lunch. Friday goes from 4-11 p.m. and Saturday from 1-11 p.m. You must have a valid ID for beer, and craft beers, food, other drinks and vending is not free, as we will have a large variety of food trucks and vendors on-site.
Dawg Dazzle 2017 July 3
Huntington, W.Va. Harris Riverfront Park 937thedawg.com 304-523-8401 Twitter @GrangerSmith Once again getting you ready for the 4th of July holiday is everyone’s favorite free music festival and fireworks, Dawg Dazzle 2017. Granger Smith will headline this year’s show, and he and former Dawg Dazzle performer Jon Pardi were among the CRS New Faces of Country Music for 2017. Smith played high
Get More Info And Ticket Locations At 937TheDawg.com
Monday July 3, 2017 Harris Riverfront Park | Huntington, WV
Gates Open At 5 p.m.
Gallipolis River Recreation Festival
Featuring Earl Dibbles Jr.
Stephanie Quayle
–17– tive activities for kids of all ages including: Stars Indoor Sports will be providing a variety of inflatables including a bounce house, slides, obstacle course and much more! You will also want to check out the Dick’s Last Resort “Dunk Tank”! Columbia Gas Children’s Park will include all of this PLUS COSI on Wheels, Columbus Blue Jackets Slap Shot, Face Painters and all sorts of other activities. The Taste of Boom! is at 3 p.m. at Nationwide Blvd. This street, closed-off from Front St. to Neil Ave., will highlight fare from Columbus’ top restaurants, include two stages featuring the best local entertainment, and offer a great view of the fireworks. The 2016 Ford Oval of Honor Red, White & BOOM! Parade is at 6 p.m. and will be one of the most exciting events to hit the downtown streets all summer long. We hope you will join us in saluting America with your new, creative, unique entry that will make a statement, like our great event. Over 100,000 cheering spectators will line the one-mile parade route while the NBC4 announcers introduce each entry as you pass by this popular viewing area.The parade will step off at 6 p.m. from the Main St. Bridge, turn north on Front St., and disband at the corner of Front St. and Spring St. Fireworks at 10 p.m.
Kala DeHart & River Town
The Area’s Largest Fireworks Display
Presented by
For the safety of our guests, the following items are PROHIBITED at Dawg Dazzle: outside food or drink, illegal substances, coolers, guns, knives and weapons of any kind. Any violations of this policy will result in ejection without refund. Event will take place rain or shine. No reentry.
school football along with fishing, hunting and his self-taught guitar music, and graduated from Texas A&M. His freshman year, Smith headed to Nashville and eventually cutting the debut single, “Backroad Song” (which won the BMI Country Award in 2016) then cutting “Remington,” his first album a month later before returning to A&M and working gigs all over Texas. Since then, he has played the White House three times and entertained troops in Kuwait and Iraq. With Dawg Dazzle, free tickets available for pick-up all around town, like at your area McDonald’s or the day of show, tickets at the gate are $5 per person. Joining Smith on the tour is Earl Dibbles, Jr. (Smith’s alter ego) as well as special guest Stephanie Quayle, who’s first hit was “Drinking With Dolly,” who’s new hit is “Winnebago,” and who is a “New Country Artist You Need To Know in 2017,” per Rolling Stone’s Country. You need to know there is also local entertainment, plenty of food and drinks (outside coolers are not permitted), vendors and family fun, all with the Tri-State’s biggest fireworks display.
Red, White and Boom! July 3
Columbus, Ohio redwhiteandboom.org Everything gets going for Columbus’ Independence Day celebration at noon when the Children’s Park opens with the corner of Neil Ave. and Long St. This area will feature interac-
July 3-4 Gallipolis, Ohio https://www.facebook.com/GallipolisRiverRecreationFestival Celebrate the Fourth of July Holiday with two days of fun on the Ohio River banks of the City of the Gauls, Gallipolis, Ohio. On July 3, there will be inflatables, concessions, artisans, a Kid’s Zone, Gospel Day and contemporary Christian Music. On the Fourth, the Baby Tot Contest gets the day off at 9 a.m. The inflatables open again at 10 a.m. and will be up until 10 p.m., and concessions and artisans open at 10 a.m. as well. The Kid’s Zone cranks up day two at 11 a.m., the Weiner Dog Race is at 5 p.m., the Independence Day parade is at 7 p.m. and fireworks top everything off at 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Red, White and Blue Ash Celebration
July 4 Blue Ash, Ohio http://blueashevents.com/ Big names and large crowds will converge at Summit Park this summer for the first big event of 2017 the Red, White and Blue Ash. Red, White and Blue Ash is scheduled for Tuesday, July 4th from 4-10:30 p.m. at Summit Park. The annual Independence Day celebration will feature entertainment from The Steel Woods at 5:30PM, followed by headliner REO Speedwagon at 8 p.m. The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display at 10 p.m., presented by Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics, and the event, which draws tens of thousands of people each year, is free and open to the public.
Ripley’s 4th of July Celebration
July 4 Ripley, W.Va. http://www.ripley4thofjuly.us/ Known as the “USA’s Largest Small Town Independence Day Celebration”, the Ripley 4th of July Celebration dates back to the late 1800’s. It is the oldest parade and oldest Independence Day Celebration in West Virginia. The population of Ripley explodes
–18– for the Grand Parade and the various activities held through the day. A vintage photo from that era once published in the Jackson Herald newspaper showed decorated horses, wagons, and riders parading down Court Street in Ripley. The modern celebration includes daylong, free of charge, live musical entertainment from the stage on the Jackson County Courthouse Lawn. There is also a carnival, grand parade, and various food concessions. Entertainment includes Tennessee River, a Alabama tribute band; Dwight Icenhower, an award-winning Elvis tribute entertainer; and The Dave & Daphne Show, and Daphne Anderson will warm your heart with impressions of Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Patsy Cline.
Piketon July 4th Wing Ding July 4
Piketon, Ohio http://piketravel.com/ 740-289-8154 Held at the Piketon High School in Piketon, Ohio from 3 p.m. to dusk and the fireworks display, this annual event is sponsored by the Village of Piketon with free food, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Bring your lawn chairs and relax, with free admission for all.
44th Annual Americana Festival
July 4 Centerville-Washington Township, Ohio http://americanafestival.org/ This festival, began as a street sale in 1972, will attract 75,000+ to Centerville for the Fourth. The 5K Run/Walk gets things started early at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 10 a.m. parade, starting about the same time as the Street Fair. There are children’s activities, an auto show, entertainment and fireworks at the end of
the day following Ticket To Ride at 8 p.m. at the Centerville High School Stadium, a Beatles tribute band. There will be a Civil War encampment, arts and crafts, food vendors and fun for the whole family.
22nd Annual John Henry Days
July 7 − 9 Talcott, W.Va. www.facebook.com/JohnHenryDays Come celebrate the steel-driving man who beat the steam engine in driving the most spikes, John Henry, in beautiful Talcott, in southern W.Va. The event starts with a ribbon-cutting at the Great Bend Tunnel John Henry and his fellow workers cut through for the railroad by hand, followed by live music by Michael Christopher and food vendors. On Saturday, join us at the Trinity United Methodist Church for breakfast as the 4-mile run and 1-mile walks get going. There will be craft and food vendors all day Saturday and Sunday, and July 8 has the grand parade at 11 a.m., a cornhole tournament and music with Glen Shelton. On Sunday, join us for church at the Great Bend Tunnel (bring your own chair) and hear Rev. Bryan Copney. The car show starts at noon and runs until 4 p.m. while the Great Rubber Duckie Race goes a week later, on July 16, at the Talcott Bridge.
Picnic With The Pops The 5th Dimension
July 8 Barboursville, W.Va. Barboursville City Park www.huntingtonsymphony.org The Fifth Dimension comes to Picnic With The Pops for this first Picnic with the Huntington Symphony in Barboursville for the 50th Anniversary of the “Summer of Love” in their hometown of San Francisco. Enjoy songs like “Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In,” “Up, Up and Away,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Stone
Soul Picnic,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” and many more.
Greenup County Music Heritage Festival
July 8 Argillite, Ky. http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/greenbo-lake/events.aspx At the Greenbo Lakes Amphitheater, it is the Greenup Co. Musical Heritage Festival from 5-10 p.m. and admission is free. Hear old-time mountain music, folk, western, western swing, early country, and other forms of our Bluegrass State Musical Heritage are played on a regular basis at the festival, so bring the whole family for a fun night of music in your lawn chairs or on your blankets.
Starwood Festival No. 37
July 11-17 Pomeroy, Ohio www.starwoodfestival.com Joyous, rowdy, and life changing, Starwood is a seven day celebration of diversity, alternatives in lifestyle, spirituality, belief systems, and is distinguished by its warm and welcoming community spirit. Here you will find a community of explorers fresh from many journeys through realms both alien and familiar. Flush with discovery, they’re eager to share the wisdom they have found. Here are the children of the quest, their vision unobscured by the veil of constructed reality, peering upward and outward in wonder, beyond the night sky to the distant stars. The Starwood festival occurs every second (full) week of July, and is held in the beautiful nature preserve that is Wisteria Campground and Event Site in Pomeroy, Ohio (near Athens). Starwood is a clothing optional event. The Midwest’s oldest event of its kind, Starwood offers: a week long lineup of classes, workshops, and ceremonies
offered by prominent teachers in their diverse fields; a melting pot of live performances by world renowned and local artists; drum and dance circles, music jams, and spontaneous free range creative exploration; the infamous Saturday night Bonfire, and so much more. Onsite amenities include: food vendors, swimming, hiking, hot showers, the kid village and co-op child care, family friendly camping in a beautiful private site, and a camp wide transport system.
Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival July 14-16
Festival Park Newport, Ky. 513-477-3320 The Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival is dedicated to the area’s rich history and connections to the brewing and pork industries as well as our region’s long ties to the bourbon industry. Each of the festival food vendors will feature creative bacon dishes including freshly prepared items sure to delight every bacon lover. Live music, games and more are part of the family fun.
Electronic Dayton Music Festival
July 14-15 at Land of Illusion Middletown, Ohio www.edmfest.net The 2017 Electronic Dayton Music Festival is a two day music festival in Middletown, Ohio at Land of Illusion. The dates for the event are Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. The festival will feature 20+ international, national, and regional DJ’s performing on two stages. Each stage will be connected with the audience through live social media streaming. In addition to the awesome music, there will be an interactive vendor
area where attendees can be creative and share images or videos at the festival with various organizations offering decorative art, banners, body art, and specialty clothing. Camping starts on Thursday, July 13, from 6-9 p.m. Friday gets going with the camping area opends at 10 a.m., and at 3 p.m. the gates open for the festival, with music from 5-11 p.m. Saturday starts even earlier, with music starting at 1 p.m. and camping starts to clear out around noon on Sunday. Bands include Lopst Kings, Deorro, Bone, Trentino, Life in Color, Corrupt, Light.Em.Up, Caine, Zebo, Gateway, Tangled Branches, #Freshlist, and Supastar. General Admission pass include entrance into the festival. VIP pass includes VIP parking pass, reserved viewing area, food, drink, VIP bathrooms, VIP lounge area and observation deck for main stage. Camping pass grants you access to camping area only. Once you are parked you can’t leave until Saturday night after the main stage has closed. You also have to purchase a festival pass to purchase a camping pass. Camping pass does not grant you access to the festival. You can pre-purchase VIP or regular parking passes or at the festival as available.
WWE Live Summerslam Heat Wave Tour
July 15 Huntington, W.Va. Big Sandy Superstores Arena https://www1.ticketmaster.com/wwe Who will leave the River Cities with a belt, claiming Championship Gold on the Road to Summerslam? Who knows but it is sure to be a great summer when the WWE Summerslam LIVE comes to town to hand out belts and crowns. Wrestlers scheduled to appear include Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, The Hardy Boyz, The Big Show, Bayley,
Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Sheamus –19– & Cesaro, Gallows & Anderson, Enzo & Cass, and many more (card is subject to change).
Summer Radio Meet
July 22 Huntington, W.Va. Museum of Radio and Technology www.ohio.edu/people/postr/mrt/ 304-525-8890 The Museum of Radio and Technology, 1640 Harveytown Road (the old Harveytown School building) will hold its annual Summer meet July 22. On this weekend, radio enthusiasts from all over can buy, sell, and trade equipment. Others may just come to look at the displays by people in radio, and all the displays at the Mountain State’s premier radio, television, records and other items from the technology and entertainment side, also looking at the W.Va. Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Come and join us this weekend!
Deep Roots Mountain Revival
July 20-22 Masontown, W.Va. http://www.mountainrevival.com/ Come to Marvin’s Mountaintop (near Morgantown) for the 2017 Deep Roots Festival. Bands include Qeit, The Halftime String Band, Dynamic Merger and Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns on Thursday. Friday’s lineup includes The Kind Thieves, Tyler Childers, Dead 27s, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, The Woodshedders, The Boatmen, and Rachel Eddy’s Old-Time Jam on Friday. Finally on
–20– Saturday, there will be Sierra Ferrell, Poor Taters, Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, The Horse Traders, the Larry Keel Experience, and the Yonder Mountain String Band, and many more. Tickets from from $25 to $525, and sales end online on July 19, and children under 11 are FREE. Children 11-15 can purchase lower priced tickets with ID, and there will be a number of events for kids. Camping is available as early as July 18. See you on the Mountaintop.
Peck Fest
July 21-22 Point Pleasant, W.Va. www.peckfest.com 304-675-0236 Since 2015, Peck Fest has had the lineup like a 20-year old festival. With folks like Joe Diffie, Matt Matheney, Rodney Atkins, and Chris Jansen, this festival is long on music talent and good times for all. Located at the Kanawha River Campground (10758 Charleston Road, just off Route 62 by the Kanawha River) in beautiful Pt. Pleasant, this year’s lineup includes Donnie Baker from “The Bob & Tom Show” who has a full summer tour (including a sold-out show in June at Ironton’s Ro-Na Theater) and Tracy Lawrence (up for an On-Air Personality of the Year award for his show, Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence) on July 21. The Steel Woods and Aaron Lewis perform on July 22. You need to bring a chair or blanket, plant yourself and get ready to have great music, good food, all sorts of vendors and fun at the Peck Fest 2017.
55th Anniversary Cincinnati Music Festival
July 27-29 Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio www.cincymusicfestival.com The 55th annual Cincinnati Music Festival will be held at Paul Brown Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. Acts there include Mary J. Blige, SWV, KEM, En Vogue, and Bell Biv Devoe on Friday and Saturday’s line-up includes Usher, Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton, and Confunkshun. On Thursday at the stadium’s Club Lounge pre-party, Doug E Fresh is joined by Kid Capri and Rob Base.
Tickets run $50 for Thursday, then $60$150 for Friday or Saturday events.
AUGUST 28th Appalachian String Band Music Festival
July 28 - August 1 camping starts August 2 − 6 for festival Clifftop, W.Va. http://www.wvculture.org/stringband/index.html Just off Route 60, on W.Va. 41 just before one gets to Babcock State Park, is Camp Washington-Carver and that is the home of the 28th Appalachian String Band Music Festival. There will be workshops on Square Dance, Flatfoot dance, and yoga. There are competitions for banjo, fiddle, neo-traditional bands, traditional bands, movies and so much more. Come and camp with us starting on July 28 and enjoy the Appalachian String Band Festival.
flood in eastern West Virginia but the Cherry River Festival goes on! There will be a Festival Queen pageant, a craft show that is sold out, and the Festival 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run. Like always, enjoy music, an ice cream social, talent show, pet shows, remote control races, antique cars, a grand parade, and fireworks. Come and see the old and new Richwood at the Cherry River Festival.
53rd Annual W.Va. State Water Festival
July 31 - August 6 Hinton, W.Va. http://wvstatewaterfestival.wixsite. com 304-661-0422 Come to the deep south of West Virginia, in the city of Hinton, which has the Bluestone Dam to host events on during the water festival. Some of the best fishing in the state is on Bluestone Lake and nearby on the Greenbrier River as it feeds into the New River right at Hinton. There will be a Car/Motorcycle show, Grand Parade, Little Miss Mermaid pageant, and Karaoke competition. Vendors will be available on Aug. 4-5, and great food is always available during the weeklong celebration.
Central City Farmers Market
The Big Buck Jamboree
July 29 Gallipolis City Park Amphitheater Gallipolis, Ohio www.bigbuck1015.com Presented annually, The Big Buck Jamboree is July 29 in the downtown amphitheater of Gallipolis, Ohio. Free music featuring The Joseph Sisters and Big Buck Country 101.5 FM’s own Julie Reeves plus more acts to be added (check website for updates). The fun starts at 5:30 p.m., and food and drink vendors will be on hand to keep our music loving guests cool on this Saturday evening. Free ticket locations will also be announced soon, so listen to Big Buck Country 101.5 FM for details on your free ticket to The Big Buck Jamboree.
Cherry River Festival
July 30 - August 5 Richwood, W.Va. http://richwoodchamberofcommerce.org Join the good folks of Richwood, still recovering from last year’s devastating
August 1 - Sept. 2 - Oct. 3 14th Street West Huntington, W.Va. 304-525-1500 Not only can you buy the freshest produce around all summer at the Central City Farmers Market on historic 14th Street West, but they have three big events starting on August 1 with the Tomato Festival. On September 2, it will be the Chili Cookoff, with chilies from all over the area for tasting and buying. Finally, on October 3 it is the Harvest Day Celebration. Join us all summer and into the fall at the Central City Farmers Market!
Roy Rogers Festival 2017
August 2-5 Portsmouth, Ohio www.facebook.com/RoyRogersMemorysMuseum Join with other fans of the “King of the Cowboys” as the 2017 Roy Rogers Festival celebrates in the singing cowboys hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio. Vendors, special hospitality and a end of weekend banquet are all part of this weekend of touring the museum in Portmouth dedicated to Roy, Dale Evans, Trigger his
Golden Palomino, Bullet his German Shepherd and the “Sons of the Pioneers” from which Rogers moved to become the “King of the Cowboys” who made over 100 movies, appeared on radio and had a television show in the 1950s. Leonard Franklin Slye, no one knew, but everyone in America knew him as Roy Rogers.
Blenko’s Festival of Glass
August 4-6 Milton, W.Va. www.blenko.com 877-425-3656 Annually a very big draw, we will offer a selection of glass pieces for all ages in our factory. From hot blown glass to crafts of wood, glass and glue for youngsters. There will be special prizes, tours, a signing event, and family activities. It is great family fun, but classes fill quickly, and a complimentary annual commenorative is given for all attendees.
–21– Come to the riverfront in downtown Charleston and join us for a wide variety of entertainment at the 28th annual Multifest. Acts expected include Zapp, Mark T. Jackson, Geoffrey Golden, the Bob Thompson Band, Priscilla Price, Stratus, Miss W.Va. 2013 Miranda Harrison, Hybrid Soul, MLK Mass Choir, Kind Kanawha, Matthew Austin, Leisha English-Gibson, and Full Favor.
Picnic With The Pops
August 5 Huntington, W.Va. Harris Riverfront Park www.huntingtonsymphony.org 304-781-8343 “Viva la Huntington” is the last Picnic with the Huntington Symphony down by the river. Come join us for the King of Rock ’n Roll, Elvis Presley, who is impersonated by the No. 1 Elvis as voted by fans of the King, Dwight Icenhower.
Rudy Fest Presents Mandolin Farms Bluegrass Festival
August 4-5 Flemingsburg, Ky. http://www.rfmfbluegrass.com/ Hosted by Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and held on a Beautiful 60 acre farm, fishing lake, golf cart trails, large pavilion over stage area to protect from rain or hot sun. It is just 3 miles to the town of Flemingsburg, Ky. and there is free firewood for campers. Come and jam all night under our brand new shelter houses and enjoy our new shower house. Safe clean atmosphere with 24-hour security where children are welcome. Watch your children play on our playground from the stage area. Bring lawn chairs. Contact us today to reserve one of approximately 300 campsites with electric and water hookup. Acts include West Liberty Mountain Boys, Turning Ground, Night Flyer, Steve Dilling and Sideline, New Found Road Reunion, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Dave Adkins Band, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Dave Parmley and Cardinal Tradition, Volume 5, The Grascals, Balsam Range, Hammertowne, Ricky Wasson Band, Sister Sadie, Larry Sparks and The Lonesome Ramblers, Flatt Lonesome and Marty Raybon and Full Circle.
5th Annual W.Va. Peach Festival
August 4-6 Romney, W.Va. www.ComeToHampshire.com 304-822-7477 Peaches – fresh or in baked pies and ice cream rule the day, but there are also the King & Queen essay contest, the Peach Fuzz and Blossom contest, a Car Show, an Antique Tractors Show, many children’s games, Original Art Wooden Peach auction, Craft and Food vendors, a Flea Market, and agriculture (including farm produce) for sale. There will be live entertainment including bands, singers, magician, puppets, and clowns.
28th Annual Multifest
August 4-6 Charleston, W.Va. Haddad Riverfront Park https://www.facebook.com/multifestwva www.multifestwv.org
John Conlee
August 5 Milton, W.Va. Milton Performing Arts Center bigbuck1015.com https://www.168tickets.com John Conlee, a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, will head to Milton’s Performing Arts Center for a show on August 5. His newest single is a song written by Vince Gill and Leslie Satcher called “Walkin’ Behind the Star.” Between 1978 and 2004, Conlee charted 32 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, and recorded 11 studio albums. Hits include “Lady Lay Down,” “Common Man,” and “In My Eyes,” three of seven No. 1 hits, and he had an additional 14 songs in the Top Ten.
Cincy Blues Fest
August 11-12 Sawyer Point Park Cincinnati, Ohio http://cincybluesfest.org/ The Blues come to Cincy, with the Cincy Blues Festival at Sawyer Point Park. Acts include, Six-Strings for Solace, G4V Cincinnati, Dixie Peach Band, Davina and the Vagabonds, Albert Cummings, Blues in the Schools (Bits) Band, Blue Ball Presentation, Stacy Mitchhart, Ruthie Foster, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Cincy Blues Band Challenge winner. On the Piano Stage, acts
include Kenny Blues Boss Wayne, Bob Malone, Mitch Woods, Rob Rio, Katharina Alber, Josh Paxton, Cynthia Girtley, Liz Pennock and Dr. Blues, Bob Seely, Craig Brenner, Ricky Nye and Jimmy D. Rogers.
Sixth Annual Ohio Celtic Festival
August 11-13 Classic Park Eastlake, Ohio http://ohiocelticfest.com/ Welcome to the Ohio Celtic Festival! We’ll feature some of the very best in Celtic music, dance and our children’s stage will feature lots of activities and shows for the children. Of course there’s food and beverages in abundance for all ages, and some new events that we’re working on. Once again we’ll bring you some exciting new musical groups some making their first visit to the greater Cleveland area. New entertainment and features are being added, so we hope you’ll check back often. Our mission is to once again bring you a festival where the whole family can enjoy themselves at a very reasonable price. We hope you’ll spend a day with us and enjoy some of the music, song, and dance, not only from our Irish heritage but also from around the world. Entertainment includes Off Kilter, Colm Keegan, McPeake, American Rogues, Emmet Cahill, The Fenians, Donal Clancy and Rory Makem, Keith Harkin, Gothard Sisters, The Crooked Jacks, Brigid’s Cross, New Barleycorn, No Strangers Herd, Mad Macs, Mossy Moran, and LochErie. There will also be authentic Irish dance and pipe and drum bands, great food and more.
39th Annual Car Show
August 12 Gallipolis, Ohio Tom Davis: 740-578-1015 Dave Hively: 740-446-0643 Offered by the Gallipolis Car Club, the 39th Annual Car Show in 2017 is sponsored by Norris Northup Dodge includes a Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, free ice cream starting at 11 a.m. by the folks at the Central Christian Church and, best of all, the price to register is only $10 (register 9 a.m. until noon) and all profits after expenses go to local charities — Serenity House, AMVets, and Key Club’s Toys for Christmas. The first 175 to register will receive dash plaques, there is over $1,000 in door prizes and 96 Class and Best of Class trophies, awarded at 4 p.m. Please remember no alcoholic beverages are
allowed at the Gallipolis Car Show.
Rails and Ales Festival
August 12 Huntington, W.Va. railsandales.com https://www.facebook.com/RailsandAlesFestival The Better Beer Coalition (BBC), which organizes the festival, announced that the fifth annual Rails & Ales Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12. With the success of the festival the last four years, organizers are again expanding the festival by adding an evening session. Organizers expect to accommodate over 8,000 attendees, participants and volunteers at Huntington’s Harris Riverfront Park. The Festival will feature live music, food from local restaurants and specialty craft beer from West Virginia breweries and craft breweries across the US and from around the world.Join us on the banks of the Ohio River for West Virginia’s primer craft beer festival.
Greenup County Bluegrass Festival
August 12 Argillite, Ky. http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/greenbo-lake/events.aspx At the Greenbo Lakes Amphitheater, it is the Greenup Co. Musical Heritage Festival from 5-10 p.m. and admission is free. Hear authentic Kentucky bluegrass music, bring the whole family for a fun night of music in your lawn chairs or on your blankets.
Summerfest
August 16-19 South Charleston, W.Va. http://southcharlestonwv.org/ Come and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the City of South Charleston, founded in 1917 with Summerfest. Bar-BQue, Car Shows at The Mound, entertainment, vendors for food and crafts, come join us to celebrate the end of summer and the arrival of fall.
Rally on the River
August 17-19 Ironton, Ohio http://www.rallyontheriver.net/ Music, Poker run, Salute to Veteran’s, camping — that can only mean its time to rock Ironton, Ohio with Rally on the River 2017. One of our area’s biggest and best attended festivals, Ironton becomes the loudest town on the Ohio River with par-
ties, music, beers, babes and bikes –23– at Rally on the River, sponsored by The Planet 92.7 FM/98.5 FM. There will be vendors, vendors and specialty vendors, great food, contests and more. Write it down, August 17-19 be in Ironton for Rally on the River. Camping is available on the site as well as close by, lots of hotels and plenty of things to do.
Parkersburg Homecoming Festival
August 18-19 Parkersburg, W.Va. http://www.parkersburg-homecoming.com Come home to Parkersburg, and enjoy music, karaoke, dog shows, talent shows, and fireworks. It is summer’s last party and includes a half-marathon, grand parade, zumba dance, cornhole, bingo, model railroads, chess tournament and a fishing tournament.
Alan Jackson Honky Tonk Highway Tour
September 22 Charleston, W.Va. https://www1.ticketmaster.com/alanjackson 937thedawg.com Alan Jackson and special guest Lee Ann Womack rock the Charleston Civic Center on Friday, Sept. 22.
Cincy Brew Ha-Ha
August 24-26 Sawyer Point, Cincinnati, Ohio http://www.cincybrewhaha.com/ America’s Largest Beer & Comedy Festival returns to Cincinnati’s Sawyer Point Park for the 10th Annual Cincy Brew Ha-Ha! Featuring more than 120 beers and over 75 comedians on 4 stages. Cincy Brew Ha-Ha creates the perfect recipe for a great time with friends, laughter and plenty of beer. Thursday, Aug. 24 5 p.m. to Midnight; Friday, Aug 25 from 5 p.m. to Midnight; and Saturday, Aug 26 from 4 p.m. to Midnight. The comedy is absolutely FREE!!! $5 for a beer wristband & beer tickets costs 2 for $3.00. So for example: 1 beer ticket = a sample size beer & 4 beer tickets = full beer serving. You must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol. Sawyer Point Park is located at FREE COPY! 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH. 2017 TRI-STATE
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FUN GUIDE
10th Annual Health Fair/ Heat’n The Hills Chilifest
August 25-26 Hamlin, W.Va. http://www.heatnthehills.com/ 304-824-5806 The Lincoln County Primary Healthcare presents its annual Health Fair on Aug. 25, followed by the Heat’n The Hills Chilifest on Aug. 26. The Health Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and all participants must preregister at the number or website above. It includes a free lunch for all participants who check in at the gazebo and services include lab works, pap smears and other free medical service. The Heat’n The Hills is on Saturday, Aug. 26, starting with registration at 2 p.m. The participants in five chili making categories will turn in samples at 3:45 p.m. and the festival opens to the public at 4 p.m. with concessions, chili sales, face painting, inflatables, cruise-in car show, cake walk, contest winners, and music followed by fireworks ends the day around 10 p.m.
Columbus Summer Beerfest
August 25-26 at Express Live! Columbus, Ohio
http://www.columbusbeerfest.com/ summer/ 130+ breweries, hundreds of craft beers and two big nights of music, food and fun.
21st Annual Appalachia History and Culture Festival
August 25-27 Beckley, W.Va. http://appalachianfestival.net We can’t wait to see you in Raleigh County, Friday, August 25, Saturday, August 26, & Sunday, August 27, this festival promises to deliver. Check out stunning art and crafts lovingly made by more than 100 artisans at the Arts & Crafts Fair. Don’t miss the Quilt Show and the Quilter’s Country Store! Live Entertainment & Good Food. Taste of Beckley is a block party showcasing the flavor & Music of Appalachia in Beckley’s Historic District! Taste local cuisine sold by local restaurants and organizations. Enjoy performances by bands and other performers. Lunch food vendors and farmers market vendors will also be there, and a underground tour of a once-working Coal Mine at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Under the supervision of an experienced veteran coal miner, travel 1,500
–25– feet below ground. Drop by the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia and Make-N-Take a traditional mountain craft. Appalachian Music presented by Theater West Virginia will be at the Crossroads Mall on Friday, August 25 at 3 p.m. The Annual Oldies Car Show presented by Shade Tree Car Club will be on Saturday, August 26th at Beckley Auto Mall from 9:00am to 4:00pm. There will be artist demonstrations, food tasting, a book signing and a farmer’s market at Tamarack and tour historic Wildwood House Museum. The historic home of Beckley’s Founder, General Alfred Beckley. Tours are from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the cost is $3.00 per person.
Summersville Lake Lighthouse Festival and Car Show
August 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m Mt. Nebo, W.Va. http://summersvillelakeretreat.com/ summersville-lake-lighthouse.html Join us for the 4th Annual Summersville Lake Lighthouse Festival on Saturday, August 26th, 2017 from 10am to 6pm here on the Lighthouse grounds. Cabela’s is the Official Sponsor of the Event and will be on hand all afternoon teaching archery skills at their booth. Tamarack
–26– Artisans and Crafters from throughout the state will be showcasing their skills along with live Appallachian music, great food such as Dickies BBQ & Almost Heaven Sunset Slushies, raffles and a Classic Car Show. Live Entertainment at the Gazebo including “Rudy Elvis” who will be performing from 3pm to 5pm at the Gazebo. The Humane Society and the Nicholas County Animal Shelter will have kittens and puppies available for adoption. All Lighthouse Tours will be $5 per person on the day of the Festival. New this year is a Corn Hole Tournament at the base of the Lighthouse.
3rd Annual 2017 Bluefield Blues Festival
August 26 Bluefield, W.Va. http://www.bluefieldbluesfest.com The 3rd annual Bluefield Blues Festival is presented By the Bluefield Preservation Society located in historic downtown Bluefield on Commerce Street. We have five bands, beer and food vendors from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. Our blues festival is twofold, one to bring quality live music to our downtown area and second and most important, help and showcase the efforts of the Bluefield Preservation Society’s hard work to bring new life and revitalization to our downtown. So by attending you get an excellent live blues music experience and help us bring new life to downtown Bluefield. See you there. 3-3:45 p.m. Bullfrog Willard McGhee; 4-4:45 p.m. Teddy Steele & Steele Cookin Band; 5-5:45 p.m. Billy Crawford; 6-6:45 p.m. Jonathon Boogie Long; and 7-9:00 p.m. Steady Rolling & Bob Margolin.
37th Annual West Virginia Honey Festival
August 26-27 Parkersburg, W.Va. @wvhoneyfestival 304-424-7311 http://www.woodrecreation.com/ wvstatehoneyfestival/index.html The West Virginia State Honey Festival was founded in 1981 with a mission to educate the community on the importance of honey and the honey bee. Along with this important education about honey and the honey bee, we have great food and entertainment, crafters and vendors offering a little something for everyone. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Admission prices for ages 13-and-up - $2, children 6-12 $1 and under six are free. Honey Princess
Pageant, great vendors.
SEPTEMBER Portsmouth River Days
August 31 - September 4 Front Street and Court Street Landing Portsmouth, Ohio http://www.portsmouthriverdays. org/ Portsmouth River Days is held each year beginning the Thursday before Labor Day. The festival opens on Thursday and runs through Labor Day Monday. River Days is held on the riverfront at the Court Street Landing near the historic Boneyfiddle district of Portsmouth, Ohio. There is free nightly entertainment on the riverfront stage, arts and crafts, midway rides, lots of great food and more. Concerts begin at 6:00pm nightly. The Grand Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning with the Queens Pageant at the Vern Riffe Center at Shawnee State University at 6 p.m. Sunday there will be Children’s activities in York Park and at 3 p.m. The Voice contest will be held on the riverfront stage, with evening concerts beginning 4:30 p.m. ending with our Fireworks Extravaganza at 10 p.m. The annual Antique and Collector Car Show wraps up things on Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment includes Doc Roc and the Remedies, Josh Stewart, Larry Whitt and Blue-Eyed Soul, Uptown Bluegrass Band, Smashmouth, Brother Believe Me, Social in Tents, Electrik Circus, City Heat, Fran Cosmo (formerly of Boston), Mothman and Steve Free.
The Henry Lauterback Memorial Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta
September 1-3 Wheeling, W.Va. http://wheelingvintageregatta.com/ The 2017 Regatta will celebrate our 12th year and build on our past success from previous years. Be sure to watch our website for the latest announcements. As always, the Regatta features FREE ADMISSION for all public events. There will be food, vendors and music on all three days. Come to the Regatta and see the beautiful wooden hydroplanes and race boats up close. Watch them run on the Ohio River at speeds between 60 and 140
mph! Learn about how these boats were built in their “glory days” from the 1920s to the 1980s. Find out who the famous boat builders were and the differences among them. Learn about the aerodynamics, engineering and physics of boat racing. Transport yourself back to the 1960s and 1970s, when one of the most famous sites in power boat racing, just down the Ohio River at New Martinsville, was in its heyday.
Jackson’s Mill Jubilee
September 1-3 Weston, W.Va. http://jacksonsmilljubilee.net/index. html Call LCCVB 304-269-7328, Debbie Garrett 304-269-6131, or Clydene Garrett 304-269-2092 for information on attending or vending. This is the place where the West Point educated and the future Confederate General, as well as a former professor at Virginia Military Institute, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, was raised, and is the home for summer camps for 4-H as well as Boy’s and Girl’s State. The Jackson Mill Jubilee is a celebration of Appalachian heritage, educational demonstrations, featuring Indigenous and Bluegrass music concerts, native-American style dancing, chainsaw carvings, gristmill demos, homestead activities, photography, needle arts and quilt show, antique tractors and engines, carriage rides, Civil War encampment, top quality artisans, a Zip Line for our active friends, and a Kid’s Land for the younger festival participants. Foods include Bar-B-Que (Chicken, Beef, & Pork), homemade ice cream, steak sandwiches, and more. It will be fun for the entire family. Friday night featured event is Square Dancing at the Kanawha County cottage while numerous groups present music in the barns. Saturday opens at the encampments, followed by a skirmish at 11 a.m. behind the Chapel. Judging and eating (!) of the pies is later in the afternoon, before which you can ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Later in the day, the bar-b-que eating contest is fun and messy, and then the 4-H alumni will have a reunion open to all at the Council Circle, and nine groups will be playing all day in the barns. Sunday also has a skirmish, an antique car show and native-American dancing, and music in the barns until 6 p.m. FREE COPY!
2017 TRI-STATE
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Planet Fest
Harris Riverfront Park September 8th planet927.com Pop Evil & moremusic, and this is a Free e vent w/ticket avail at participating sponsors. Tune into 92.7 and 98.5 to hear where on the Planet and check the website for updates.
Fraley Festival of Traditional Music
Sept. 6-9 Carter Caves State Resort Park Olive Hill, Ky. http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/carter-caves/ http://www.fraleyfestival.com/ Traditional musical instruments such as the dulcimer, fiddle and guitar are used to tell stories about a life long ago along the foothills of Eastern Kentucky. The music at the Fraley Festival has not been confined to any one type. Folk, old-time, western, western swing, early country, and others are played on a regular basis at the festival. There are all sorts of musical configurations, from family bands or husband and wife duets, to people playing on stage who just met each other a few minutes ago in the parking lot. Wednesday night is a free “jamming in the round” session at the Recreation Shelter House in the campground. Concerts will be held in the Park Amphitheatre on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon & evening, and Saturday afternoon & evening. Concert fees range from $4-$10. A $25 weekend pass is available which admits you to all the concerts and jam sessions.
Chilifest
September 9 Huntington, W.Va. ChiliFestwv.com 304-634-4857 Thanks for taking a minute to check in with us here at ChiliFestwv.com. We are very excited to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of ChiliFest here in Huntington, West Virginia. From its humble beginnings in Ritter Park in 1983 to the present with over 20,000 people jamming the streets of downtown Huntington at Pullman Square, ChiliFest has become a community event looked forward to by so many in our area. As always, ChiliFest
benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Tri-State, and Chili’s and WSAZ-TV are proud as the presenting sponsors to have raised over $500,000.00 to benefit the House through ChiliFest. We welcome the many cooking teams who travel to Huntington from all over the East Coast of America to compete in the International Chili Society’s West Virginia State Chili Championship. ChiliFest is the West Virginia State Chili Championship sanctioned by the International Chili Society and sponsored by Chili Willi’s and WSAZ. The winner of this “much heated” event qualifies to represent West Virginia at the ICS World’s Chili Championship. Cooks come from far and wide to downtown Huntington, with their pots, spices, secret ingredients and chili lore for this spirited competition. ChiliFest is a charity cook-off event benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities at the Tri-State. All chili sample tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Come heat things up with Marshall football out of town at NC State with Chilifest!
88th Putnam County Homecoming
September 9-10 Winfield, W.Va. www.putnamcountyhomecoming. com 304-586-2122 The Putnam County Homecoming is an annual event held in Putnam County West Virginia. It has been a county festival since 1929 making it one of the oldest celebrated here in the county. The homecoming main festivals are always held on the second Sunday of September. It is believed that it only rains every 75 years on this date — anyway that is what we have been told. Whoever came up with that piece of information must have had some inside track on the weather. The event is special because of the down home family atmosphere, it is a place families reunite with old friends and neighbors visit with neighbors and meet new friends. It is an event that shut down the main road and we watch our children, neighbors, friends, and high school bands from Buffalo, Hurricane, Poca, and Winfield, march in the Grand Parade. There is also the crowning of Miss Putnam County, chosen from one of the four high schools, and last year’s winner was Miss Taylor Walroth, not only beautiful but smart (4.16 GPA) and talented (all-state soccer player, as well as playing basketball, ran track and cross country). We select only the best food vendors from the area. The
entertainment is always top notch as –27– we always present some of the best talent here in Putnam County. A street dance and a car show are great events, and so are speeches by politicians from locally and statewide.
Barboursville Fall Fest
September 14-16 Barboursville, W.Va. https://www.facebook.com/BvilleFallFest/ 304-733-1500 Things get going on Sept. 15 with the 6:15 p.m. parade, and parade lineup begins at 5:15pm at the entrance of Barboursville Park. You will be permitted to build and assemble floats in the main park and then line up when complete. If you are walking the parade route, you will be permitted to line up at the Bus Barn. We will insert you into the parade lineup as it is passing through. Music, great food, vendors, arts and crafts and much more is all part of Fall Fest.
Mothman Festival
September 15-17 Point Pleasant, W.Va. http://www.mothmanfestival.com The Mothman Festival is an annual event held every third weekend in September, commemorating the 1966 Pt. Pleasant Mothman sighting, which gave birth to the infamous red-eyed winged legend. People from all over the world gather around our charming Main Street to celebrate their favorite cryptid during this one of a kind event. There will be special guests, vendors, cosplay, live bands, guest speakers, and tours of the Mothman Museum. Events include the Friday Night Kick Start for those who get to the Point on Sept. 15, the team from “Mountain Monsters” from the Destination America TV show, an air-conditioned TNT Bus Ride ($20) with knowledgable guides to sites of the Mothman was spotted, a ($5) hay ride to (hopefully) see the Mothman at night, a 5K run (8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16), and a Mothman pageant. The 2017 festival is dedicated to the late Carolin Harris, a former co-director of the festival. This year, the festival will also mark the 50th anniversary of the bridge falling with no warning in the Silver Bridge Collapse on Dec. 16, 1967, a bridge that connected Point Pleasant, W.Va. and Gallipolis, Ohio. 75 vehicles went into the freezing waters of the Ohio River and 46 persons in all died (two were certified as missing and were never found and are presumed dead). Carolin’s son (Timothy)
–28– and her husband both perished in that tragedy. “The Mothman Prophecies” was a movie in 2002, lining the Mothman to the disaster that starred Richard Gere from the book by John Keel.
West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame
September 30 http://www.mrtwv.org/ 304-525-8890 The W.Va. Broadcasting Hall of Fame will have its induction ceremony on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Radio and Technology, 1640 Florence Avenue off Harveytown Road at the old school in Harveytown. The induction ceremonies are limited by space, so attendance is by invitation only. The museum is open Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday’s 1-4 p.m. except on holidays.
OCTOBER New River Trains/Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society October
Huntington, W.Va. newrivertrain.com 304-523-0364 For 51 years, the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Society — named for the former chief of the C&O Railroad who established Huntington in the 1870s as a connector from Washington, D.C. (by train) to Cincinnati, Ohio (by riverboat) — has run
the New River Train Excursions each fall through beautiful West Virginia to The Greenbrier at White Sulpher Springs and back in historic railroad cars. The trips are four 300-mile round-trips, and are always sold out, so make your reservations early. You can ride in coach, heritage coach, premium and dome cars. Specialty trips include trips for overnights at The Greenbrier, to New York City and to Washington, D.C.
Blenko’s at the Milton Pumpkin Festival
October 6-8 Milton, W.Va. www.blenko.com 877-425-3656 Not our events, but directly across the road from our factory in Milton and we are pleased to participate. A celebration of everything pumpkins, so Blenko will have a full “pumpkin patch”
of diverse handmade glass pumpkins for this celebration.
Museum of Radio & Technology Fall Swap Meet
October 21 http://www.mrtwv.org/ 304-525-8890 The Museum of Radio and Technology, 1640 Florence Avenue off Harveytown Road (the old Harveytown School building) will hold its annual fall meet on Oct. 21. On this weekend, radio enthusiasts from all over can buy, sell, and trade equipment. Others may just come to look at the displays by people in radio, and all the displays at the Mountain State’s premier radio, television, records and other items from the technology and entertainment side. Many will also be looking at the W.Va. Broadcasting Hall of Fame, who is kept here. Come and join us this weekend!
West Virginia State Parks
All year round wvstateparks.com Scenic views and outdoor adventure year round at your W.Va. State Parks. Affordable family fun, outdoor recreation or a getaway for two, the state parks and forests of the Mountain State are the perfect backdrops for any occasions. Mountain lodges and cosy cabins are the large and small of lodging in parks. Remember, memories happen here. FREE COPY!
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Camden Park: The Tri-State’s Favorite Playground HUNTINGTON - Camden Park, West Virginia’s only amusement park, is ready for you in 2017 with your old favorite rides and the newest ride in the park - “The Rattler” - a pendulum ride, where riders are suspended from an overhead axis and will experience the rush of land and sky meeting as one as you fly head over heels through dual swinging and spinning motions. Recently the park also added the Camden Princess, a rocking tugboat ride that became a big favorite. This year, like always, the “Tri-State’s Favorite Playground” will celebrate over 114 years of smiles again, with over 30 rides for young and old to enjoy. On June 16, the park invites all to come hear The Dixieland Stompers for our birthday, with free cake for every guest all day long. The park opens full-time with the Memorial Day Weekend, always the signal for the park to fling the doors open for six days a week of … well, what can we say but fun (the park is closed on Mondays for maintenance and safety checks, except for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day). There will be some specials throughout the year, so always look online to see what is happening at www.camdenpark.com, including Tuesdays from June 6-July 25 when children 4-feet and under get in for half price, they’ll have a petting zoo, the Steve Free Band on the Midway stage and more for the little ones from noon to 4 p.m. The great thing about the Boylin Family running the park since 1950, your children and their children’s children will be
able to walk the Midway, eat Pronto Pups on a stick, play many games of skills, enjoy Funnel Cakes, and other summer treats, just like their parents once did. Visit the restaurant for inside dining, or pack a picnic and use the free picnic area and ride all the rides, with special rides just for the little ones up to the historic wooden roller coaster, The Big Dipper, built in 1958. Enjoy the over 100-years old Carousel, the Haunted House, the Kite Flyer, the Train, Flying Scooters, Tilt-A-Whirl, the Whip, and much more. For younger children, there are miniature versions of the Whip plus Dune Buggies, Handcars, Sky Fighters, Umbrella Ride, and everyone can enjoy the Penny Arcade, the Midway, great food, and plenty of cold drinks for hot summer days. Buy tickets online and S-A-V-E! General Admission - $21.99 Children 48-inches or under/Seniors 55 or older - $16.49 2017 Season Passes - $82.50 (pays for itself during your fourth visit) Parking - $5.00 Parking pass for season - $24.99 W.Va. Adventure Miniature Golf (during regular hours with park admission) - $3.99 Fireworks are shot off on Memorial Day Weekend, the 4th of July and Labor Day. —stories compiled by Woody Woodrum/Kindred Communications
Cruise-In To Gallipolis, Ohio This Summer!
Three Cruise Ins are set for this summer by the Gallipolis Car Club, as well as a car show and participation in the annual Fourth of July Festival on July 3-4. The club is for those who own and appreciate the classic automobiles of the past 100+ years. Cruise ins are chances to come and see the club’s best of the best when it comes to cars. The June 23 Cruise In is from 5-8 p.m. at Aaron’s Rentals beside Wal-Mart, and Aaron’s is a longtime supporter of the car club in Gallipolis. Celebrate the Fourth of July Holiday with two days of fun on the Ohio River banks of the City of the Gauls in Gallipolis, Ohio. On July 3, there will be inflatables for the kids, concessions for everyone, artisans and vendors of all stripes, a Kid’s Zone, Gospel Day and contemporary Christian Music. On the Fourth, the Baby Tot Contest gets the day off at 9 a.m. The inflatables open again at 10 a.m. and will be up until 10 p.m., and concessions and artisans open at 10 a.m. as well. The Kid’s Zone cranks up day two, July 4th, at 11 a.m. followed by the Weiner Dog Race is at 5 p.m. The Independence Day parade will feature many cars from the Gallipolis Car Club and starts at 7 p.m. Fireworks top everything off at 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. The second cruise in of the year is the club’s the July 14 event, sponsored by and held at Norris Northrup Dodge in
Gallipolis, from 6-9 p.m. Norris Northrup is a partner with the Gallipolis Car Club, and we appreciate their support for club functions. The final Cruise In is at the Gallia County Visitor’s Center at the Gallipolis City Park during the Gallipolis BBQ Festival, running noon-3 p.m. No alcoholic beverages are allowed and there is no charge to come and Cruise In with the Gallipolis Car Club. Offered by the Gallipolis Car Club, the 39th Annual Car Show is August 12. The event is sponsored by Norris Northup Dodge. The event includes a Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, free ice cream starting at 11 a.m. by the folks at the Central Christian Church. Best of all, the price to register is only $10 (register 9 a.m. until noon) and all profits after expenses go to local charities — Serenity House, AMVets, and Key Club’s Toys for Christmas. The first 175 to register will receive dash plaques, there is over $1,000 in door prizes and 96 Class and Best of Class trophies, awarded at 4 p.m. Please remember no alcoholic beverages are allowed at the Gallipolis Car Show. Come and enjoy Gallipolis, Ohio and remember the dates to attend cruise ins, July 4th events and our 39th Car Show. It is a summer of thunder with the Gallipolis Car Club!
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Lincoln Co. Primary Care Health Fair/Chilifest!
HAMLIN, W.Va. — Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. would like to announce their annual Health Fair and Heat’n The Hills Chilifest, a pair of events ready to begin in its second decade of service to the citizens of Lincoln County, W.Va. The Health Fair will be held on Friday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Health Fair will include reduced prices or free (to those who qualify) pap smears and blood work, screenings for breast exam - mammograms - pulmonary function - depression screening - X-rays, a farmer’s market, healthy cooking demonstrations, yoga class demonstrations, and numerous health and wellness vendors will be on site to offer information and education. All participants must register at the gazebo on Friday, Aug. 25, and there is an all-inclusive, free lunch that you will get a ticket for when you register (no carry-out allowed, only participants who register will get lunch ticket). Call the clinic at 304824-5806 to schedule appointments for pap smears and blood work. You must have appointments for pap smears, blood work, mammograms, x-rays and other health screening.
The Heat’n The Hills Chilifest will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, with chili contestants competing for trophies and titles. The winning chilies include five categories: Hot & Spicy, Sweet & Mild, Corporate Chilies, Fire Departments Chilies, School Chilies, and LPCC/SWVHS Employees, and it starts at 2 p.m. with registration and set-up by our many different chili groups. Chili contestants will get a free t-shirt and winners get a special Blenko Glass trophy. The afternoon and evening will be fun packed starting at 4 p.m. when the Heat’n The Hills opens to the public with chili sampling, craft vendors, a cake walk, inflatables, face painting for the kids, a car show, and two bands. Chili sampling will begin at 4 p.m., bands will begin at 6 p.m. Food and craft vendors will be available from 4-10 p.m., and fireworks will end the evening at 10 p.m. All Heat’n the Hills proceeds benefit the Lincoln Primary Care Center Senior Lunch Program, providing free lunches (Mon.-Fri.) to seniors 55 or older and feeding over 130 seniors daily. Visit our website www.swvhs.org for more information.
Greenbo Lakes State Park Ready For Summer Fun
Olive Hill, Ky. — Folks in Eastern Kentucky sometimes take the numerous state parks in this part of the state for granted. Many residents of other areas of the country would be thrilled with the opportunities out there for the many residents of the metro area of western West Virginia, Southern Ohio and Eastern Kentucky have for outdoor recreation. One of those spots is the Greenbo Lakes State Park, who besides offering the normal things that most of the great Kentucky state parks systems do — biking, lakes for swimming-fishing-boating, hiking, horse riding, mini golf, camping, and wildlife watching — Greenbo Lakes has an event that features three of those options into one competition.
Then as the summer goes on, there will be numerous events at the beautiful Greenbo Lakes State Park’s Amphitheater including old-time music and bluegrass music — a natural for the residents of the Bluegrass State. Get ready for another great year of the Unbridled Series 2017 series, continuing an exciting collection of adventure races being held in partnership with Kentucky State Parks and the KY State Parks Foundation, and sponsored by 361-degrees Adventures. Greenbo Lake State Park leads the events of the summer around the Bluegrass State with this 6-hour race starting at
the lake. For those new to the sport, plan on each race including some form of mountain biking (on and off road), trekking (running or walking), and paddling (generally flat-water). As with all adventure recreation, good navigation with a topographical map and compass will make all the difference in how well your race goes. All races are open to soloists and teams of 2, 3 or 4. Teams should plan on being self-sufficient for the entire race, as support crews with food, water, etc. are not permitted and teams must be prepared to treat water with iodine or other methods on the trail. Then on July 8, and again at the Greenbo Lakes Amphitheater (nearer to Argillite, Ky.) it is the Greenup Co. Musical Heritage Festival from 5-10 p.m. and admission is free. Hear old-time mountain music, folk, western, western swing, early country, and other forms of our Bluegrass State Musical Heritage are played on a regular basis at the festival, so bring the whole family for a fun night of music in your lawn chairs or on your blankets. Later in the summer, the Greenbo Lakes Amphitheater, it is the Greenup Co. Musical Heritage Festival from 5-10 p.m. on August 12. Best of all, and once again, admission is free. Hear authentic Kentucky bluegrass music, bring the whole family for a fun night of music in your lawn chairs or on your blankets. —stories compiled by Woody Woodrum/Kindred Communications