O
ne local community prepares for its annual Labor Day festival, and two area parks will mark special celebrations in the coming weeks. Here’s the 411 from communities around the region, including Marmet, Campbells Creek and Charleston.
LABOR DAY: We’re less than a week away from the Labor Day holiday, and the community of Marmet is preparing for its annual Labor Day weekend celebrations. Town festivities take place over three days, beginning on Saturday, Aug. 30, and running through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1. This year’s celebration includes music, vendors, games, contests, a petting zoo, children’s activities and more. A watermelon eating contest, hot dog eating contest, and s’mores making take place on Saturday, with Josh Pantry headlining the evening stage. Sunday features a hula hoop contest, water games and gospel music. Monday brings the Guyan River Cloggers, live music by Cory Hager, and a performance by the Restless Band. The festival concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. on Monday. More information and a complete schedule of events are available on the Town of Marmet Facebook page.
PARK ANNIVERSARY: Ken Ellis Memorial Park, located about three miles up Campbells Creek, will host its 58th anniversary celebration on Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6. Organizers have planned two days' worth of free activities to mark the celebration. The festivities begin with Gospel Night at 6 p.m. Friday, featuring music by Spring Fork Gods Kids, Sarah Oliver, Dawn Brown, the CCFC Worship Team, Sheep in Wolves Clothing and Pastor Bill Neil. Saturday’s activities run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include a tractor show, a farmers market, archery demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, prize giveaways and more. Live entertainment will be held throughout the day. The lineup includes Taylor Foster (11 a.m. to noon), Rob Ciarapica (noon to 1 p.m.) Nashville recording artist Tina Stevens (1 to 2 p.m.) and Nashville recording artist Kris Allen (2 to 3 p.m.). The event will also include a special guest appearance by Isaiah Tuck, a cast member on Season 11 of the History Channel's "Alone" series. More information on the Ken Ellis Memorial Park 58th Anniversary Celebration is available on Facebook or by calling Rhonda at 304-356-6343.
PUBLIC LAND CELEBRATION: Saturday, Sept. 27 marks National Public Lands Day, and Coonskin Park is planning several events to mark the occasion. The day starts with coffee and donuts. At 9:30 a.m., volunteers will construct a new trail at the Charleston park. That’s followed by a free lunch at noon. From 1 to 4 p.m., visitors can hike, bike and run the local trails, with a guided hike on the Alice Knight Trail beginning at 1:30 p.m. Interested participants may drop by at any time of the day. Visitors should meet at Shelter 20 in the Upper Park for the scheduled activities. Coonskin Park is located at 375 Henry C Hoppy Shores Dr. in Charleston. More information on the park’s National Public Lands Day celebration can be found on Facebook.
