Published: May 23, 2007 04:44 pm      

Festival fun — Take advantage of Mountain Festival!

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.