Region Welcomes Unofficial Beginning Of Summer, Celebrates Memorial Day

By JULIEANNE COOPER, Region Editor
In counties throughout northcentral West Virginia, the smell of barbecues and the sound of busy chatter from family gatherings will signal the start of the summer season as Memorial Day celebrations get under way.

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day in which the country’s men and women who have died in military service were commemorated. The holiday first began to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War, then After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.

Since that time, many Americans have traditionally observed Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials to honor any family members who have died, not just service men and women. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m.

In addition to remembrance, many families also observe Memorial Day as a day for gatherings and picnics. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort will begin its Summer Music Series and Memorial Day Celebration Friday. “Join us for music and excitement atop Snowshoe Mountain,” a resort spokesperson said. “During Memorial Day weekend, the resort will ignite with a special blend of live music in a mountain atmosphere.”

Entertainers include Gray Samples, Tim White, Chad Freeman and the Blue Revolutions, Tom Holcomb and Nina Sharp.

For more information or to make reservations, call 1-877-441-4FUN or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.

In Tucker County, Canaan Valley Resort will celebrate the start the summer with lots of family fun including a cookout and evening entertainment. Call 866-4121 or visit www.canaanresort.com for more details.

The rumble of engines and the spattering of mud will mark the 29th annual Challenge in the Hills on Saturday with lots of drag racing action. Activities start off on Saturday with Street Stock Drag Racing followed by Open Class Drags and Women’s Drags. The day is completed with the Street Stock Eliminator, Open Class Eliminator and the Debi Lambert Memorial Women’s Eliminator.

On Sunday, racing gets under way bright and early with a Junior Drag competition. The fun continues later in the day as folks meander to the Mud Pit.

Challenge in the Hills is presented by The Tucker County 4-Wheelers, a group of individuals dedicated to promoting and preserving the sport of organized four-wheel-drive racing. It is an East Coast 4-Wheel Drive Association Club in Region A and begins each season with a club meeting in February. From that meeting through the weekend before the Challenge, members spend every Saturday and Sunday (as weather permits) at the track preparing for the race.

“There is a lot of work to be done after a long winter in the mountains of West Virginia,” the group’s Web site states. “Each year we host activities for club members, their immediate families and invited guests only. In July, we have a picnic, in the fall we have a Club Race and a Holiday Party around Christmas.”

Challenge in the Hills is not affiliated with an event known as “Beerstock.” All vehicles registered for competition are subject to a random cubic inch test. For more information, event rules and regulations, visit www.tc4X4.com.

Timberline Four Seasons Resort is back on the mountain biking map has reorganized and is reconstructing its mountain biking operations which open Saturday. Both expert and easy trails encompassing the 1,000-foot mountain and other lower altitude easy trails at the base of the mountain have been laid out. The resort’s bike shop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The chair lift for downhill biking and scenic lift rides will also begin summer service at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The rides operate every Saturday, Sunday and on holidays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Scenic chairlift rides will be available throughout the Memorial Day weekend.

In addition to mountain biking, the resort also offers guided trail rides as well as breakfast and dinner rides, traversing Timberline’s terrain on horseback. With the warmer weather, volleyball tournaments will soon begin and live entertainment is featured every weekend with no cover charge. Timber’s Pub and Grill is open every day, 365 days a year. Pub cuisine includes a Friday night shrimp special, all-you-can-eat, award winning ribs on both Fridays and Saturdays and a full dinner For more information, visit www.timberlineresort.com or call 1-800-SNOWING.

The Purple Fiddle Coffeehouse and Mountain Market in Thomas will kick off the holiday weekend with live musical entertainment from several national performers.

The Trevor McDonald Band from Ithaca, N.Y., will bring their roots rock to the Fiddle stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is $8.

On Saturday, the East Run Band will perform bluegrass tunes beginning at 8:30 p.m. Admission to the show is $8.

Hoots and Hellmouth will make folks stand up and shout “Hallelujah” Sunday when their show — much like a traveling tent revival, a spokesperson said, where their audiences are like congregations — begins at 8:30 p.m. The Starlings will open Sunday’s show and admission is $12.

Brittany Reilly and the Almost Acoustic Band will perform a blend of bluegrass, reggae and old time country tunes Monday at 8 p.m. Admission is $7.

The Purple Fiddle is located on East Avenue in Thomas. For more information on these and other upcoming concerts, call 463-4040 or visit www.purplefiddle.com.