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Mountaineer Days planned in Tucker

Thomas VFD to celebrate 100th anniversary

THOMAS — The Thomas Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate its 100th anniversary at this year’s Mountaineer Days.

The event will be part of the 60th annual firework display celebrating the Fourth of July, organized by the Thomas Fire Department.

The Mountaineer Days weekend events will begin at 4 p.m. Friday at the Thomas Fire Department with a hotdog sale followed by a cakewalk and silent auction at 5:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m. the fire department will also offer a block party with the local Parsons band Triple S.

The events scheduled for Friday will be a celebration of the Thomas Fire Department’s 100th anniversary with the funds raised going to the fire department.

On July 1, events will start at 10 a.m. with craft and vendor booths opening at the railroad grade.

Mary Sagrace, president of Mountaineer Days, expects around 40 vendors this year to sell a variety of items and goods.

At 10 a.m. the Patriotic Bicycle Contest will be underway at the Miners and Merchants Bank lot.

At 10:30 a.m. the annual Mountaineer Days Parade will begin, featuring community floats and more than 25 local fire departments. The parade lineup will begin at Quail Ridge Drive at 9:30 a.m.

At 1 p.m. a cakewalk will beat the Miners and Merchants Bank lot, sponsored by the Mountaineer Humane Society.

Cake donations will be taken up until the start of the cake walk. All of the funds raised from the event will go to the Mountaineer Humane Society to provide spay and neuter vouchers for the citizens of Tucker County.

The event normally features 50 to 90 cakes and raises between $12,000 to $15,000 to go toward the humane society.

At 1:30 p.m. the Firemen’s Water Battle will feature 13 teams this year at the railroad grade, sponsored by the Thomas Fire Department.

A variety of bands will be showcased throughout the day at the Miners and Merchants Bank lot, starting with music by the Allies at 4 p.m. followed by “Elvis” at 6:30 p.m. and music by Triple S at 8 p.m.

The annual fireworks display will take place on Saturday at dark.

Thomas Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Dibacco stated that the public should expect a 45-minute to an hour firework display this year.

The Thomas Volunteer Fire Department collects donations to fund the firework display with their annual road block and other fundraisers throughout the Mountaineer Days weekend.

On Monday, the fire department will travel house to house in Thomas asking for donations to fund the firework display.

On the day of the firework display, the fire department will set up their annual road block to collect donations for next year’s Mountaineer Days Fireworks Display from around 4:30 until 9 p.m.

The fire department will also offer firework sponsorships, where the community members can donate $25 dollars to sponsor a firework in memory of or dedication to a person.

The fire department also received a donation from the Tucker County Parks and Recreation Department this year, to fund the fireworks.

The fire department will also sell a 100-year journal, including the history of Thomas and the department, including past members and historical events. The journals will be for sale for $10 each at the fire department.

T-shirts will also be for sale featuring a firework background with a Thomas backdrop in all sizes for $15 at the Miners and Merchants parking lot.

Dibacco said the department was grateful for the support from the community.

“We would like to thank everyone who supports the fireworks and fire department throughout the years and show our appreciation for that,” Dibacco said.

General information about Mountaineer Days activities and events will be available at the Miners and Merchants parking lot.

On Sunday, a pancake breakfast will be offered at the Thomas Fire Hall, featuring pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy; with proceeds going to the fire department.

Sagrace expects to double the Mountaineer Days turnout of 5,000 people for last year’s events.

All the events are free, open to the public and family friendly.

“Come out and have a good time, to share fellowship with old friends and new friends,” Sagrace stated

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