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COALTON -- Coalton Days is celebrating its 25th year this week, with events culminating in an all-day celebration Saturday.
Mayor Jim Rossi spoke about the annual event during the most recent Randolph County Commission meeting.
"You know, the annual Coalton Days celebration is an old-fashioned get-together of friends and families to celebrate our culture and heritage," Rossi told the commissioners. "This celebration has grown tremendously over the years.
"This will be the 25th year, and we never imagined that it would be carried on in a small town such as Coalton for this long. So we are really pleased," he said.
"On Saturday, we'll have several activities," Rossi said. "We're going to have a parade, a cornhole tournament, a nice car show … and (West Virginia University basketball coach) Bob Huggins will be there, too."
"We're going to close on Saturday evening with Gracie Metheny, she's a great vocal talent. She's going to perform from 4-6 p.m.," he said. "And then we have a group out of Virginia, Tommy Wood and his group. They play '80s and '90s country. We want to invite you all down."
Rossi pointed out that Coalton Days helps the local economy.
"It's an impact on the economy, not only the service businesses but other organizations, retail and so forth, along with the Hillbilly Hardball Classic, we run concurrent with them," he said.
Rossi requested financial support from the commission for Coalton Days. Commissioners approved providing $5,000 to the event, which will be taken from the hotel/motel tax.
Saturday's events will kick off with the Vince Ross 5k Run and Walk, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. and the run starting at 8 a.m., and the walk beginning at 8:15 a.m. at Coalton Park.
The car show will begin at 10 a.m. in the park, with concessions and crafts opening at that time as well.
A corn hole tournament will begin at 11 a.m., as will an Any Minis Horse Show.
The parade will start at 3 p.m., with a soap box derby set for 4 p.m.