Rodney Sands of New Martinsville and the band “One Way Ticket” with members Steve Surface, Herbie Swartzmiller, Jeff Surface, Nelson Brougham, Jack Buchanan and Carl Swartzmiller were all on hand to be recognized during the first Mountain Mama Music Festival in Sistersville.

For the first time the new Mountain Mama Music Festival, held in downtown Sistersville on Friday and Saturday, July 28-29, proudly recognized their initial cast of honorees to be inducted to the 2024 Mountain Mama Hall of Fame. Rodney Sands of New Martinsville and the band “One Way Ticket” with members Steve Surface, Herbie Swartzmiller, Jeff Surface, Nelson Brougham, Jack Buchanan and Carl Swartzmiller were all on hand to be recognized.

Friday night kicked off the festivities and featured Jake Bucy, Community Karaoke by DJ Matt Yost, Richard McMullen and Josh Rice. Rounding out the evening was JAXCKS. Bands were staged on Diamond and Wells Street throughout the festival. Many bands continued the excitement with performances on Saturday including Panic Attack, Further We Fall, Intoxicated Zen, Iron Lotus, Rodney Sands, Walker Chance, Chris Henthorn, Pleonasm and Aaron Dotson.

Food trucks, always a crowd pleaser, were present to keep folks from going hungry. They, too, were staged on downtown streets. Aunt K’s Kitchen, Country Roads Ice Cream and Jimmy Avocado’s TexMex Cuisine, all saw brisk business. Locally owned businesses The Fort and Bankers Corner were open for additional food offerings.

Thanks to organizer Josh Rice for bringing music entertainment and a new tradition to downtown Sistersville. Folks are already talking about next year.