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ELKINS -- The Randolph County Commission approved a funding request from Our Town Inc. in the amount of $5,000 Thursday during its regular meeting at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex.
The funds will go toward this year's Fourth of July celebration and Car Show, which In previous years was run by several different entities. This year, however, Our Town has taken complete control of the event and as a result extended the celebration to three days.
"We've been diligent with our planning this year and we agreed early on that we needed to expand," said Our Town volunteer Priscilla Gay. "So the first way we expanded it was by adding more concerts, doing shows on Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday night."
The first night of the celebration on June 29 will feature the Air National Guard Touring Band of the Northeast. Ryan Cain and the Ables will play the second night on June 30 and Rick K's Road Trip will cap things off on July 1. Immediately following the Rick K performance, fireworks will fill the air.
"We have Rick K on the final night and I've been told that the last time he was in Elkins he drew 1,000 people," said Gay. "We are having the Air National Guard Tour Band here on Thursday night to recognize the service of the people in our state. It's a 35 member band and we are excited to have them coming in. Overall we think we have some fantastic entertainment this year."
Gay said that the organization has also added some activities for children during the three-day celebration.
"As part of the new kids activities we are creating an obstacle course and we are inviting them to bring their wheels," said Gay. "We want the kids to come out and drive our obstacle course and see if they can make it without hitting something that won't hurt them. We are also going to have a scavenger hunt for young people."
One thing Gay said her organization was working hard on was attempting to bring in more vendors for this year's celebration.
"Our Town really wants to have a lot of food vendors and craft people at this year's event," said Gay. "So we are inviting any vendors or non-profits organizations to come out and set up for the celebration. If anyone wants to set up they can reach out to us on our Facebook page or at ourtownelkins@gmail.com"
Gay also promised that this year's fireworks display will be bigger and better than in years past.
"We will have the largest fireworks show on Saturday night," said Gay. "We have the Rick K concert scheduled so that he plays up until the time when we do the fireworks."
As in the past, the Mountain State Street Machines annual Car Show will also be a big part of the event.
"I don't know if many people remember, but five years ago the car show almost died," said Gay. "But there were a very small number of people who thought it was important. So we got together and created a new non-profit called Our Town Inc. and we affiliated with the Mountain State Street Machines. That's where Our Town got its beginning and we've since expanded. But it was originally started to save the Car Show."
Commissioners David Kesling and Cris Siler who were both present at the meeting, voted unanimously to the funding request. Back in November of 2022 the commision also gave Our Town $7,500 toward the Fourth of July Celebration. The money will be taken from the hotel-motel tax.
"Bringing the people into the town and the county and having them stay in the hotels is what is helping us use that hotel/motel tax to pay for the fireworks celebration," said Kelsing. "We really appreciate what Our Town does for both the city and the county."