Town and Country Days Begins Monday
Wetzel County’s youth may start back to school come Aug. 22, but there is still the opportunity for some family-friendly fun as Wetzel County’s annual Town and Country Days returns to the Wetzel County 4-H grounds beginning Monday, Aug. 15.
This is the 56th annual fair, which offers something for everyone – from the glitz and glamour of pageantry, to star-studded entertainment, to the roar of engines at track events.
Admission for the event is $8 for ages five and up, Monday through Thursday. The cost is $9 for Friday and Saturday. Season passes are $30, and are available to, and including, Aug. 16.
Monday’s events begin at 4:30 p.m. with a baked goods auction, followed by a Prince and Princess Contest at 5 p.m. Grand Opening Ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m. Both Bingo and Deshler Amusements’ carnival attractions will kick off Monday and will take place each day.
Aspiring royalty will hit the stage at 7 p.m. when the Little Miss, Pre-Teen, Miss Teen, and Queen’s pageants will be held.
Trackside action will fire up at 7:30 p.m. when the Demolition Derby is scheduled to begin.
Highlights for Tuesday, Aug. 16 include Barn Judging at 5 p.m., Fun Livestock Show, 5 p.m.; and Fun Horse Show, 7 p.m.
ATV Motor Cross is scheduled for 7 p.m., with registration taking place from 4-6 p.m.
Matt VanFossen will cap off the evening’s activities when he takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. VanFossen is a West Virginia native who first received recognition through his song “Time Ain’t What It Used To Be,” which received respectable play on local radio.
Follow-up singles such as “I Didn’t Come Here To Lose,” “Almost Stopped Dreaming,” and “This Time Around,” helped propel VanFossen into further success, which led to him joining the Jamboree in the Hills lineup in 2013.
VanFossen’s third EP featured the popular tracks “Boom” and “Close If It Ain’t It,” the latter his highest charting single.
VanFossen is currently working on promoting his first full length album, which includes the brand new single “Where You Gonna Run To Now.” VanFossen’s new album is set to release Fall 2016.
Wednesday’s Town and Country Days excitement includes the “So You Think You Can Sing” contest, set for 6:30 p.m., and more track action, as the Rough Truck Contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 18 is all about the seniors of the area, as senior citizens activities will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Check out the Senior Day write-up on Page 7)
Also a highlight of Thursday will be local-favorite Stevie Lynn.
Stevie Lynn hails from Wheeling and has been singing throughout the Ohio Valley for several years. She has performed at local theaters and has also opened for stars such as Aaron Tippin, Florida Georgia Line, and Chase Bryant.
Michael Christopher will follow Stevie Lynn with a performance, set for 8:30 p.m.
Christopher is known for an edgier sound with country rock favorites such as “My Kinda Summer,” “Daisy Dukes,” and “All About The Chase.”
Fair-goers will not want to miss Friday night as Rick K. And TheNighters grace the stage at 9 p.m. The flashy show band will delight its audience with tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s, through today.
The final day of Town and Country Days kicks off at 10 a.m. with children’s games, kid’s casting contest, and teenage games.
Saturday will also feature a Pretty Baby Contest at noon and the the 4×4 mud bog at 1 p.m. A special Matinee of Deashler Amusements will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, starting back up again at 6 p.m.
Saturday’s evening entertainment begins with The Hobbs Sisters, made up of sisters Hannah and Lauren. The duo has opened for Chris Cagle, Brett Eldredge, Will Hoge, and The Swon Brothers. They have made a Wheeling Jamboree appearance in June 2013. The Hobbs Sisters’ single “Love Don’t Give Up” received respectable radio play.
Well-known Diamond Rio has been a musical mainstay for over 30 years and is sure to bring a crowd when they take the Town and Country Days stage Saturday night, 8:30 p.m. The group has several prestigious award nominations and winnings to its name, both in the country and Christian genre.
Diamond Rio is known for numerous popular hits and chart toppers such as “Meet in the Middle,” “Mirror, Mirror,” “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray For Me,” “Norma Jean Riley,” “In A Week or Two,” “Love a Little Stronger,” “Imagine That,” “One More Day,” and “God Is There.”
The annual Town and Country Days festival will also feature arts and crafts exhibits, commercial exhibits, vendors, and more. For additional information on all the action happening at Town and Country Days, be sure to check out www.jpaden.com/tcd
Flyers and booklets are also available at various establishments, including the Wetzel Chronicle.