The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 4, 2009

Celebration is under way

By Mary Catherine Brooks

PINEVILLE — The four-day Wyoming County Labor Day Celebration is under way with carnival rides, concerts and a Monday fireworks show to cap off the holiday.

Other favorites at Palisades Park include the pet show, Labor Day parade and Southern West Virginia Idol contest.

The 2009 Bail Out Tour will be today, including country stars Cody McCarver, country comedian Cledus T. Judd and Amanda Henkel. Opening ceremonies begin at 3 p.m. on stage on the Pineville Middle School football field.

Appalachian Countdown, a local bluegrass band that includes four area pastors, will follow the ceremonies. Virgil Harden Sr., a member of the bluegrass band, will lead the national anthem.

Rising country star Henkel will take the stage at 4 p.m., followed by McCarver and Judd.

Due to limiting seating, lawn chairs will be welcome, according to Sherri Morgan-Ellison, one of the organizers.

Special accommodations will also be made for those with special needs or those confined to a wheelchair. These individuals are urged to contact event staff or any police officer on the day of the concert.

No tobacco, alcohol, pets or weapons will be permitted on the school grounds.

Audio and video equipment are strictly prohibited; digital and standard cameras will be permitted.

Merchandise, including T-shirts and CDs, will be available for sale near the stage.

The free concert is sponsored by Brooks Run Mining, Riverside Energy, Southern Cross Construction and MacArthur Wal-Mart.

Sunday, Squire Parsons and The Squire Parsons Trio will be featured during the Dewey McKinney Memorial Labor Day Gospel Sing at Palisades Park.

Michael Knotts will kick off the gospel sing at 2 p.m.

Parsons will take the stage from 3 until about 5 p.m.

At 6 p.m., auditions for the returning Southern West Virginia Idol competition will take place on the stage in the park, according to Knotts.

Southern West Virginia Idol performances will continue on the stage Monday beginning at 1 p.m. Contestants must be a resident of southern West Virginia and be at least 12 years of age, Knotts said.

Parsons, a southern gospel performer and song writer, is a West Virginia native. His career began as a music teacher at Hannan High School in Mason County. He then went on to serve as music director for various churches.

It was during this period he wrote “Sweet Beulah Land,” which became his signature song.

The finale for the weekend is Monday’s fireworks display, scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

— E-mail: mcbrooks@register-herald.com

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