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Published: May 23, 2007
Festival fun
— Take advantage of Mountain Festival!
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
From
carnival rides and cute dogs to exotic animals and exciting entertainers — all
will be part of the 23rd Annual Comcast Mountain Festival.
Noted for a diverse array of family-oriented entertainment, the Mountain
Festival has become a Memorial Day holiday tradition in Bluefield and surrounding areas, as many
visitors travel from out-of-town to enjoy the activities.
With the opening of the James H. Drew carnival and the crowning of Miss
Mountain Festival Courtney Meade Tuesday, the week’s festivities are once again
off to a successful start.
Expected highlights of this year’s festival include Eudora Farms, which
showcases 60 different exotic animals, the ever-popular helicopter rides, the
return of ECHO’s wood-carving demonstrations, the fun dog show and a hot pepper
eating contest.
Numerous athletic and sporting competitions are also held throughout the
festival, including road races, as well as tennis, basketball, softball and
bowling tournaments — among others.
For those who enjoy the festival’s entertainment, a full slate of top-notch
performers will once again be part of this year’s event. Brian Free &
Assurance and The Greenes will perform during gospel night Thursday, The
Collegians will highlight the Blast from the Past event Friday and Magic by Chaz
will be performed throughout the day Saturday.
The midway will also be packed with a host of vendors and other activities
throughout the festival.
Many residents and visitors to southern West Virginia
and Southwest Virginia enjoy the
family-oriented feel of the Mountain Festival. With the smell of popcorn and
cotton candy wafting through the midway and the sight of carnival rides glowing
in the evening dusk, the festival has the fun, familiar and friendly atmosphere
of a “hometown fair” of long ago.
This year, the Mountain Festival is expected to be more popular than ever, as
many residents opt to celebrate the holiday with friends and family close to
home, rather than struggle with the high gasoline prices associated with
extended vacation travel.
“People that were thinking about traveling this weekend might want to change
their plans given there are a lot of things going on in this area, and
primarily with us are the events associated with the Mountain Festival,” Marc
Meachum, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Bluefield Chamber
of Commerce, said. “Take advantage of what is going on throughout the area. You
can really enjoy them and not spend a lot of money.”
We, too, encourage those across the two Virginias
to enjoy the many activities and entertainment ongoing in our own backyard this
weekend, and head out for a day or more of fun at this year’s Mountain
Festival.
http://www.bdtonline.com/editorials/local_story_143164520.html
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