Cindy Sandeno
Contributing Writer
Enjoy live music. Join our socially distanced dance party. Hammer a copper keepsake. Get to know the author of “The Quiet Zone.” Meet live snakes. Paint by Number. Get fantastic specials at shops and restaurants.
Do it all Friday, September 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Marlinton as we come together to celebrate the last First Friday event of the year.
Head down to Discovery Junction this Friday for an evening of fun, friends, music and art. We are calling all bluegrass fans. Richard Hefner and the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys will perform their hard driving sound that has influenced so many bluegrass bands in the area. Richard, who helped start the band in the 1960s, remains the lone original member. This performance will feature Joanna Burt-Kinderman on the upright bass.
Following the band, Charlan Campbell will take the stage to be our guest DJ spinning beats from 7 to 8 p.m., turning Discovery Junction into a dance party – socially distanced, of course. We invite everyone to get their groove on for the first DJ we have ever hosted.
We are excited to announce that exactly one month publishing of “The Quiet Zone; Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence,” author Stephen Kurczy is coming to Marlinton. As a part of the First Friday event, Stephen will be reading excerpts from his book, hosting three question and answer sessions, and signing copies of the book. A session will start at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Stephen explores the many intriguing aspects of Greenbank (and Pocahontas County) – while posing vital questions about the role of technology in all our lives. He covers the community in depth, shedding the light on many misconceptions and providing a comprehensive look at this unique place. You can bring your own copy of the book to the event or purchase one that evening. All proceeds are graciously being donated to the Pocahontas County Artisans Co-op.
This event is packed full of free opportunities to make awesome art. Suzanne Williams will be set up to teach you how to hammer metal.
The Pocahontas County Artisans Co-op will have their third “paint by number” mural set up and waiting for your contribution. A nature mural will be sketched out on a backdrop and you are invited to come to the railroad depot to paint a section. No experience needed.
There are plenty of other great things to do too, including a chance to meet West Virginia Snakes. You asked for it, so we are bringing Roy Moose and his live snakes back to Discovery Junction. For those who fear snakes, this is a great way to safely learn more about these important (and often misunderstood) animals.
Julia Derringer, AmeriCorps with the Monongahela National Forest, will lead a cool activity where people of all ages can learn more about pollinators.
Local downtown businesses are vital participants in First Friday events, and several will keep their doors open late and provide dinner specials, sales, unique items and other things that you will not want to miss.
Stop by the Discovery Junction Facebook page to see all of the amazing deals our local businesses are offering.
We are taking several precautions to keep you safe during this First Friday event. We will not have food vendors so be sure to grab dinner at one of our downtown restaurants. We will also be hosting all our activities outside and we will have them spread out along Third Avenue. We will have hand sanitizing stations and disposable masks for those who would like one. We ask that you take precautions, too. Please do not come to the event if you are feeling sick or if you have been traveling. We also want to encourage you to practice good safety measures during the event such as: wear a face covering during the event, wash your hands often, and keep your social distancing at least six feet from others. Please help us keep our community safe.
We invite you to come on down to First Fridays and enjoy local cuisine, shopping, live music and so much more. Each event is different, but they are all fabulous.
Stroll, shop, and shake the night away.