The Mountaineer Days committee, in conjunction with the city of Thomas and the Thomas Volunteer Fire Department, are pleased to announce the final plans for Mountaineer Days. This year’s festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 1.
The Independence weekend activities kick off with Tucker County Young Life again sponsoring a 5K Run/2K Walk Race. Racers can register at the event or online. The link is on the Facebook page, Mountaineer Days 5K Run/2k walk presented by Eastern Mountains Young Life, (or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068964740096)
The cost is $20 for pre-registration and $30 the day of the event. Registration is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., with the race starting at 8 a.m. at the Thomas Fire Hall.
The popular vendor area and craft displays open at 10 a.m. along the railroad grade in Thomas. With more than 40 vendors, residents and visitors will enjoy sampling the food and exploring crafts.
New this year are inflatable amusement rides sponsored by the Tucker County Young Life. The rides will be set up along the railroad grade in Thomas.
The Mountaineer Days Parade begins at noon, with the line-up starting at 11 a.m. at the Division of Highways garage. Fire Trucks will line up on Quail Ridge Drive.
Following the parade, the county’s largest cakewalk, sponsored by the Mountaineer Humane Society, begins at 1 p.m. in the old Miners & Merchants bank lot. The nonprofit group is seeking donations for this popular event.
“We would appreciate any baked goods donations, homemade or bought, and participants for the cakewalk,” said Karen Linton, one of the event’s key organizers. “All proceeds from the cakewalk will go to our Run For It team, The Cruisin’ Critters, which then supports the spay and neuter voucher program.”
Musical entertainment begins at 11 a.m., with Trevor Reichman taking the stage in the old Miners & Merchants bank lot. He will be followed by Jason Good Blues Band playing at 2:30 p.m., Heather Hannah & Company at 4 p.m., and Wilson Springs Hotel performing at 5:30 p.m.
Austin Snell, the event’s headliner, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. This Dudley, Georgia artist is well on his way to making “grunge country” as familiar a term as “honky tonk.” His “Excuse the Mess” gathered 1 million streams in its first week of independent release and landed him as a SiriusXM Highway Find.
The grand finale of the evening will be the 66th year of fireworks sponsored by the Thomas Volunteer Fire Department. Each year the fireworks are put on with the donations received from the public as well as through roadblocks on the day of the event and door-to-door fundraising efforts. This year’s show will last about 45 minutes.
The pancake breakfast sponsored by the Thomas Volunteer Fire Department will close the Mountaineer Days weekend activities. Breakfast will be served at the Thomas Fire Hall from 8 a.m. to noon.
Mountaineer Days is made possible by the following sponsors: Western Pocahontas + Natural Resource Partners, City of Thomas, Tucker County Parks and Recreation, Davis Trust Company, St. George Medical Clinic, WVU Medicine, MountainTop Realty, Sirianni’s, Sunrise Sanitation, United Financial Center, Black Bear Resort, Mountaintop Health Center, Mountaintop Dental Clinic, Citizens Bank of West Virginia, Best of Canaan, Miners & Merchants, Kingsford, Grant County Bank, Still Hollow Distillery, Elkins Motor Sports, Stumptown Ales, GJ Garton Insurance, Railey Realty, Backbone Mountain Guide Service, Hinkle Fenner Funeral Home, Jeremy Bolyard Construction, Mountain Valley Bank, Ella & Company, Davis Shop’n Save, and Mountain State Brewery. The Mountaineer Days Committee also appreciates the support of the Thomas Parks & Recreation, Tucker Community Foundation, and the city employees.
