Published: November 05, 2009 08:57 pm      

Bluefield prepares for excursion train visit

BLUEFIELD — When passengers debark in Bluefield from the Amtrak excursion train from Roanoke, Va., they will be greeted by volunteers serving lemonade — a tradition in Bluefield on days when the local temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The excursion train is scheduled to arrive at 11:30 a.m., on Nov. 7, carrying 850 passengers who will enjoy a two hour layover.

“Beverly Wellman and Thelma Shumate will be staffing a welcome table near where the excursion train will stop,” Marc Meachum, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Bluefield Chamber said. “They’ll be giving away free lemonade to anyone who wants to sample a cup.”

The Bluefield Chamber initiated the promotion of giving away free lemonade on 90 or 90-plus degree days in 1939, although the first free lemonade was not distributed until 1941. Bluefield enjoyed another free lemonade-free summer this year, with the summer-long temperatures remaining sub-90 degrees, but the chamber distributed free lemonade as part of a “Lemonade Day” festival in August.

In the mean time, the city strung a large welcome banner from the upper deck of the Princeton Avenue Parking Garage, most of the vacant storefronts in the downtown are now filled with art and some owners of downtown buildings were pressure washing their buildings.

“We’re just getting ready for company,” Bluefield Mayor Linda Whalen said. “There will be a lot of things for the visitors to do on Saturday. We encourage everyone to come down and enjoy the activities.”

Marie Blackwell, interim executive director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau headed a committee that worked together to organize activities for the day. The CVB developed a brochure to distribute to the visitors with a detailed map with information on dining activities including the Heritage Cafe’, the Bohemian Bakery, the Internet Cafe’, Bluefield News & Brew, as well as Slick & Slew’s BBQ and box lunches from David’s at the Club.

Blackwell explained that the passengers will get the brochures when they leave Roanoke to give them time to prepare for their visit. “It just gives anyone who is not familiar with the area some directions to get around town,” Blackwell said. “We’re all very excited.

“We’re hoping that the weather forecast holds out and that we have good weather,” Blackwell said. “The committee would like the entire community to come out and enjoy the fun.”

This will mark the first time Bluefield has hosted an excursion train visit since 1997, Blackwell said she hopes the excursion becomes an annual event.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com