PC Labor Day celebration set
The annual Paden City Labor Day Celebration will take to the street Friday-a day earlier than usual. Organizers have decided to add the additional day to the event as the Paden City High School Wildcats do not play a football game that night. Unfortunately a freak power outage at last week’s game may cut into the festival as the Wildcats will finish their varsity football game against Van Monday, 7 p.m, in Ripley.
On Friday Dan Bray, who has performed locally at Ebert Brothers shows, will take the Main Street stage at 6 p.m. Then beginning at 7 p.m. the Mike and Robby Parsons and Friends will bring their music to the Paden City Labor Day Celebration. The Paden City Volunteer Fire Company will also begin their weekend of Bingo that night.
Despite its Friday beginning, the official opening ceremonies will be held Saturday at noon, followed by the little king and queen contest. An interesting stage collaboration will begin at 1 p.m. when Days Later and Endless Shadows will play together, then separately, and come back together for a final set, finishing at 5 p.m. The stage will come alive with music again at 8 p.m. when Attaboy Luther will bring their classic rock to the festival. On Saturday there will also be a community-wide yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday’s stage lineup includes John Ice, 1 p.m.; Ron Crowe, 1:45 p.m.; The Journeymen, 3 p.m.; The Branches, 4:30 p.m.; Pete Lauderman, 6 p.m.; and Old School and Friends, 7:30 p.m.
Always a popular group, the Journeymen have changed faces from time to time over the years, but they have never compromised their male quartet style or sound. The current configuration of the group includes “Big” John Bledsoe, lead vocalist; Blake Aaron Bledsoe, tenor; Corey Laney, baritone; and John McSweeney, bass. The Journeymen always strive to show their audience the love of God. When the group is performing to a musical number the audience can always expect to share a lot of love and lots of laughter.
Of course the big event on Monday, 1 p.m., is the parade from the south end of town up state Route 2 to PCHS. But the day begins even earlier with a 5K run to benefit the PCHS boys and girls track teams. Registration is from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in front of the high school. Cost is $15, which includes a t-shirt. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. and trophies will be given to the top two men and women in each of eight age divisions. There will also be trophies for the overall top man and woman, oldest man and woman, and person who traveled the greatest distance. Walkers are welcome to participate, but there will not be any awards for walkers. For more information contact Kim Huffman, head boys track coach, at 304-771-9002.
Also, 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.
After the parade Barbara Lynn and the Silver Eagle Band will perform on stage at 2 p.m. Made up entirely of family members, they work together as a unit, creating the best sound the band has ever had in its 25-year quest for a great show of country and gospel music. The group now consists of Kerry, Barbara’s husband, on bass guitar; Brian, Barbara’s son, on drums; Brian’s wife, Brooke, sings and plays the piano; Melissa, Barbara’s daughter, plays keys, guitar, and writes many of the songs she sings on stage. Melissa is also the band leader and music arranger. John, Melissa’s husband, is the group’s lead guitarist. The girls sing a nice three part harmony in the show and they are hitting the stage with music from many artists including Carrie Underwood, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, and The Wreckers.
Regional favorite Matt VanFossen will take the stage at 5 p.m. VanFossen has had the opportunity to open for national recording artists including Trailer Choir and Ohio Valley native Joe Zelek. Whether it’s a full band concert or a small acoustic show, crowds are always impressed with his vocal ability and the way he connects with his audience. His performances are full of energy, passion, and a genuine love for his music and his fans.
Perennial favorite Dewayne Spaw will close the weekend’s events beginning at 8 p.m. 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 everyone’s 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.
More than just entertainment, the Paden City Labor Day Celebration will once again include Thomas Family Amusements with their traditional rides and concessions. Wristbands may be purchased for $10 for unlimited rides per session (one on Friday and two each on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) or tickets for individual rides can be bought. There will also be some games by local organizations such as the fish pond, dime pitch, and dunking booth, as well as crafts.
The Paden City Volunteer Fire 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. The PCVFC’s concession trailer will be open throughout the long weekend as well.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 86 will have food available Friday (chili, soup beans, and cornbread), Saturday (chicken and homemade noodles), Sunday, (nachos, chili, sloppy joes, hot dogs, and the old band boosters’ recipe for meatless onion sauce) and Monday (chicken and homemade noodles). The carnival will also have concessions including cotton candy and deep fried Oreos and Snickers bars.