Labor Day Event Will Include Rides
While the Paden City Labor Day Celebration is a long-standing tradition and some aspects of it are as constant as newly sharpened pencils on the first day of school, this year’s event is being amped up a bit with carnival rides and games.
The Thomas Family Amusements will provide some traditional rides at this year’s event held Sept. 4-6 on Main Street in Paden City. Wristbands may be purchased for unlimited rides or tickets for individual rides can be bought. “We hope this is a welcome addition, adding something extra special to the event,” said Susan Wade, one of the organizers.
But the event also includes the expected like the incredible Labor Day Parade on Monday at 1 p.m. and a full list of entertainment including the perennially popular Dewayne Spaw and Adam D. Tucker to finish up the stage offerings on Monday at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively.
DeWayne Spaw has played his country music several times in Paden City, particularly thrilling those along the parade route as he sings his way up state Route 2 from the top of his tour trailer.
From rural Indiana, Spaw grew up with country music, the only kind of radio station his dad, a coal miner, would allow on his Jeep’s radio. He also learned the rhythm of poetry and the love of the public’s eye from his grandfather, a poet who often recited his works for people. “When my grandpa told poems, he put so much expression into it and had everyones full attention,” Spaw said.
He soon followed his grandfather’s example and began reading poetry across his elementary school’s intercom. That is where he learned the power and thrill of public performances. He truly enjoys performing and has found his niche playing at fairs, rodeos, and festivals, preferring the family atmosphere to the club atmosphere where many times music is nothing more than background noise.
Following Spaw’s performance will be Adam D. Tucker who has also graced the Paden City stage in the past. The high-energy soloist brings a bit of sexy to the stage as he sometimes channels Tim McGraw. His other influences are Johnny Cash, Sammy Kershaw, Mark Chesnutt, Randy Travis, Joe Diffie, and Tracy Lawrence.
Tucker received the award for New Artist Radio Network Independent Country Music Artist Of The Year 2006 and he recently finished recording a new project in Nashville, Tenn.
Other performers at the celebration include Attaboy Luther, Endless Shadows, Days Later, John Ice, The Branches, The Journeymen, Pete Lauderman, Old School, Matt Van Fossen, and One-A-Chord. See the advertisement on this page for a schedule of entertainment.
There will also be games such as the fish pond, dime pitch, and dunking booth, crafts, and Bingo.
The Paden City Volunteer Fire Company will sponsor an all-you-can-eat breakfast at the fire hall Monday from 8 a.m. until noon. The menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, and patties, pancakes, french toast, sausage gravy, biscuits, fruit salad, toast, coffee, milk, chocolate milk, apple juice, and orange juice. For more information, call the fire hall at 337-9289.
Then the Paden City Volunteer Fore Company Women’s Auxiliary will sponsor fish fries at the fire hall on Sunday at 1 p.m. and on Monday beginning at 2 p.m. The menu includes fish sandwiches, french fries, baked beans, cole slaw, and deserts. For more information, call 304-337-9289.