Heritage Festival continues; activities planned for 4th

Celebrating Independence Day is a local and national tradition, allowing citizens to relax and enjoy the freedom they enjoy.

Fayetteville is popularly known in the area for its 4th of July celebration, included in the annual New River Gorge Heritage Festival. Other Fayette communities have events planned as well. Following is the schedule for the remainder of the Heritage Festival, as well as information about observances in Montgomery and Gauley Bridge.



Thursday, July 2



6 to 10 p.m. — Family night at Fayetteville Town Park. Carnival rides and food vendors (pay one price; children must be accompanied by adult).



Friday, July 3



11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — American Red Cross blood drive at Courthouse

12 to 7 p.m. — Antique and Quilt Show. For more information, call Jennifer Allen at 304-574-1400.

12 to 8 p.m. — Street vendors and kids’ activities at Town Square. Downtown food booths. This year community organizations and restaurants are invited to set up booths providing food specialties. This event is a great opportunity for a group to raise awareness of its activities and services, as well as earn a little money. For vendor information, call Roxanna Ballard at 304-222-1618.

4 p.m. — Community Choir at Town Square

4:30 p.m. — Announcement of the Citizen of the Year, sponsored by GFWC WV Fayetteville Junior Woman’s Club. Please submit nominations to PO Box 64, Fayetteville, WV 25840.

5 p.m. — Parade (to enter the parade, contact Valeria at 304-640-0284; line up at 4 p.m. on Halstead Street; children, decorate your bike and you can win a helmet donated by Marathon Bike Shop)

6 to 10 p.m. — Carnival at Town Park

7 to 9:30 p.m. — Free evening concert and street dance featuring Wild Rumpus at 7 p.m. and The Carpenter Ants from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Town Square. Bring your dancing shoes and a lawn chair or blanket and claim your space on the lawn of the historic Courthouse to enjoy music under the stars.



Saturday, July 4



9 a.m. — Heritage Festival Run/Walk at the Trail Head at the Town Park. Registration beginning at 8 a.m. For more information, call Adam Stephens at 304-574-2337.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Come on Home Reunion at the American Legion Building

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Antique and Quilt Show at the Memorial Building

12 to 11 p.m. — Carnival and vendors at Town Park

1 p.m. — Tractor pull at the Town Park, sponsored by WV American Water (registration begins at 12 p.m.)

1 p.m. — Youth skateboarding clinic by Halo Whitelight at the Skate Park

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Registration for the Dachshund Derby

3 p.m. — Old-fashioned kids’ games (hosted by the Grace Baptist Church Youth Group; includes hog calling, turtle race, bubble gum blowing contest, hula hoop contest, etc.; the Sheriff’s Department also will provide fingerprints and DNA swabs)

3 p.m. — K-9 officer exhibition

3:15 p.m. — 1st annual Dachshund Derby (sponsored by Hylton Law Office; for more info, call Vickie Hylton at 304-574-0880)

7 to 10 p.m. — Free concert at the Park featuring the band Hit & Run

8 p.m. — Jon Kemper’s Musical Extravaganza at the Historic Fayette Theatre

10 p.m. — Fireworks (sponsored by the American Legion)



Sunday, July 5

(Events held the White Horse Bed & Breakfast)



1 to 4 p.m. — Oldies Car Show (for more information, call Carol Smith at 304-574-1668)

2 p.m. — Ice cream social (hosted by SWIRL), and hula hoop (by Karen Domzalki) and dance contests



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Upper Kanawha Valley municipalities will again host celebrations marking Independence Day.

On Saturday, July 4, the City of Montgomery — through the Montgomery Park Board — will sponsor its annual Fourth of July celebration for the UKV.

The Montgomery Pool will be open to the public for free from noon to 6 p.m. Free hot dog, soda and chips will be provided.

Activities for children will be held on Third Avenue from 6 to 9 p.m.

Local band Stonestreet will perform the Fourth of July concert from 7 to 10 p.m. on Third Avenue.

Then, the evening will be capped off by the fireworks display beginning at 10 p.m. Area residents are urged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the celebration.

The Town of Gauley Bridge is also getting in on the fun on that Saturday, as a gospel sing will commence at 1 p.m. at the old Save-A-Lot parking lot. At 7 p.m., the town will provide free watermelon and ice cream. At the same time, local deejay, LuLu Shepherd of the Bump City Connection, will provide a musical backdrop for the activities.

Fireworks will begin at dusk.