5th Annual Downtown Countdown- a Winterfest Celebration
*7 Indoor Venues! *Live Music! *Fire Dancers! *Ice Sculptors! *Comedy! *Games! *Black Light Art! *Virtual Reality! *Scavenger Hunt! *Dance Contests! *Hoop Dancing Instruction and a Hoop Dance Contest! *Start Steppin' Midnight Run/Walk! *Ball Drop and Fireworks at Midnight! With Live Performances by FROST LION Ice Plus, The Parachute Brigade, Black Garlic, No Pants Players, Adam Cox & Independent State, DJ ChrstvFerd, Full Circle Flow Arts & more TBA! Plus Live Art Demos by Brian Zickafoose and Leah Towler! Find detailed information, performer links and more at www.downtowncountdown.org!
B-The Underwater Bubble Show
Inspired by the famous Canadian troupe “Cirque du Soleil,” take a dive into the latest theatrical sensation, with B–The Underwater Bubble Show, starring Mr. B! Using cutting-edge laser technology, snow cannons, soap bubble tornadoes and optical illusions, B–The Underwater Bubble Show is an interactive performance that appeals to children and adults alike. Don’t miss all the dance, puppetry, juggling, contortionism, sand art, and a little bit of magic!
The Drifters
Once again the Treadwell family will be coming out of retirement to put together an historic reunion at US facilities as THE DRIFTERS return to their roots with their latest American tour. It's been a while since the group toured the country but they are gearing up for a monumental celebration of their 50 year catalogue in support of their new album, The Drifters Salute the Great American Songbook Live.
GVT Presents: The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On
In this blast from the past, four young girls say goodbye with great style to a beloved teacher through 60s and 70s music. With classic favorites like “Downtown,” “Build Me Up, Buttercup” and “We are Family,” this musical is sure to keep your toes tappin’ and your hands clappin’ all night long!
“White Party” at the Bluefield Area Arts Center
A throwback to the day when seasons dictated fashion. A “White Party” celebrates Spring. Come out for a posh evening of live music and dancing at the Bluefield Area Arts Center. Tickets are $40 and include heavy hors d’oeurves, silent auction, fashion show (vote for your favorite), live entertainment, live DJ till 11 P.M. There will be a cash bar. To make reservations call 304-589-0339
Princeton Rays’ Opening Day
Watch the Princeton Rays’ take on the Bristol Pirates for the 2017 home opener at H. P. Hunnicutt Field.
Bluefield Blue Jays Season Opener
Watch the Blue Jays as they battle the Burlington Royals in the first home game of the season at Bowen Field.
Spartan Workout Tour: Bluefield
The Spartan Race is coming to WV and Bluefield is hosting a Spartan work out on June 17 from 8 A.M.-10 A.M. at Bluefield City Park. Led by SGX-certified coaches, the Workout Tour will benefit both the fitness rookie and the seasoned veteran.
Nashville Bluegrass Band at Chuck Mathena Center
With two Grammy Award-winning albums and two Entertainer of the Year honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association and four time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year, the Nashville Bluegrass Band is no stranger to acclaim from critics and fans alike. The legendary band takes the stage at the Chuck Mathena Center on Friday, June 23 at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now and are $25.00. Purchase tickets online at www.chuckmathenacenter.org, by calling 304 425-5128 or come on by the Box Office at 2 Stafford Commons in Princeton. Enjoy the pre-show dinner at CMC catered by the Big Whiskey BBQ Company! The dinner is at 5pm. This is going to be a Lone Star BBQ Feast including smoked turkey and beef brisket, Big Whiskey’s famous Burnt End Baked beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, potato salad, a dinner roll, iced tea and banana pudding for dessert. Tickets for dinner are $20 and will sell out fast, so get yours right away!
Bramwell’s Spring Tour of Historic Homes
Go back in time and visit the town of Millionaires with a self-guided walking tour featuring rows of Victorian homes built during the height of the West Virginia coal industry. The homes date back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Quaint brick streets line the way, with delightful stores and restaurants on Bramwell’s Main Street.
Cole Chevy Mountain Festival
One of Mercer County's most popular events. For more than 30 years, the Mountain Festival has provided carnival rides, a lumberjack contest, petting zoo, traditional carnival food, vendors, entertainment, music and much more.
Girl Scout Cookie and Craft Beer Pairing
Enjoy delicious Girl Scout Cookies paired with craft beer for sensational flavour combinations. It’s also trivia night. Play Pub Trivia to win prizes.
Wings & Wheels Festival
Annual festival held at the Mercer County Airport. Plane rides for kids, vendors, raffles and a Car Show. Free Admission.
Dinosaur Day
Pan for buried fossils and learn all about dinosaurs at Mercer County's premier RV Resort.
Dueling Pianos
“A High Energy, all request, sing along, clap along, Rock n Roll, Comedy Piano show where the audience is just as much the show as the entertainers”. A family friendly show will be held in The Clover Club (upstairs at The RailYard). It will include a buffet dinner then a show. Tickets $30 Per Person. Children 12 are free admission and eat free. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. A cash bar will be available. The second show will be held in The RailYard. The Show starts at 10:00 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. LIMITED SEATING FOR BOTH SHOWS! Please purchase tickets in advance for the first show at The RailYard. Call 304-800-4141. Admission will be taken for the second show at the door.
Cool Cruisin Nights
Come bring your favorite ride and cruise the “strip.” We welcome all makes and models to this family-friendly event. Every third Saturday night from May-October. See classic, muscle and custom cars as they cruise up and down Mercer Street in Downtown Princeton.
Russian National Ballet Theater Presents Cinderella
With Russia’s finest dancers, Prokofiev’s exuberant music, sumptuous costumes, lush scenery, and comical stepsisters, this performance is a treat for audiences of all ages. The classic fairy tale tells of the virtuous and mistreated servant girl who is magically transformed by her fairy godmother allowing her to attend the grand royal ball. She captures the heart of the handsome prince, but dashes off at the stroke of midnight, leaving only her glass slipper behind.
Shrimp Feast
Featuring music by the Beach Nite Band, raffles, a silent auction and of course SHRIMP!
Dinosaur Zoo Live! at Chuck Mathena Center
Chuck Mathena Center is proud to announce the arrival of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! in Princeton, WV! Created in Australia, this entertaining and educational theatre attraction will play at CMC on May 16 at 7pm. Don’t miss this chance to experience what life was like amongst these giant creatures 65 million years ago! Tickets are on sale now at www.chuckmathenacenter.org or by calling 304 425-5128. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! is an experiential theatre production which takes audiences on a prehistoric journey into a new dimension where they get to meet a menagerie of insects, mammals and dinosaurs that once roamed the planet millions of years ago. Featuring a large-scale cast of life-sized dinosaur puppets brought to life by sophisticated design, theatrical presentation and puppet mastery, these amazingly lifelike dinosaur recreations connect children to paleontology in a fun and informative setting. Children can watch and learn but also interact with the creatures in this fun and educational performance. Erths’ Dinosaur Zoo Live! is both entertaining and educational. The New York Times says, “ Eath’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! delivers solid science as well as an extraordinary spectacle!” Tickets for the show are $17 for children and $20 for adults. Groups of ten of more receive a ten percent discount. Purchase your tickets at www.chuckmathenacenter.org, by calling 304 425-5128 or drop by the Box Office at 2 Stafford Commons, Princeton, WV. Bring the whole family!
A Night for Three: Chamber Music for Violin-Cello-Piano Trio
3 world-renowned classical musicians here together from Boston, Bramwell, and South America. Call (276) 326-4248 for more information.
Camp Creek State Park’s Timbersports Competition & Ramp Feast
Camp Creek State Park and Forest host the Timbersports Competition & Ramp Feast held at the Camp Creek State Park Amphitheater. Schedule of events are as follows: 8:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M. Flower and bird walk with Bibbee Nature Club. 11:00 A.M.-3 P.M. Ramp Feast. Includes ramp casserole, brown beans, cornbread, slaw, drink and dessert. Cost $12.00. Timbersports Competition: 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M. and 1:30 P.M.-3 P.M. Admission is free. Call (304) 425-9481 for more information or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1353196324740906/ for more details.
Crying Wolf Challenge Mountain Bike Race
The Crying Wolf Challenge is part of the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association Points Series. The City of Bluefield Parks and Recreation is proud to bring you the Crying Wolf Challenge @ City Park on May 13th 2017. The event is located in City Park on Stadium Drive. Registration and packet pickup will be located at SHELTER 1 in City Park from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Approved helmets required when riding/racing on the bike. Note that participants in the Just for Fun race will not receive a t-shirt. The first 50 participants to register will receive an event t-shirt. FEES: Just For Fun - FREE Youth and Junior - $8.00 All Other Categories - $25.00 License Required: WVMBA membership or $8 one day WVMBA membership per person will be charged at packet pickup! PRIZES: Pro/Expert Top Three Overall Men/Women will receive CASH. Sport Top Three Overall Men/Women will receive PLAQUE. Beginners Top Three Overall Men/Women will receive PLAQUE. WVMBA Class Top Three will receive a MEDAL. Just for Fun all will receive CERTIFICATES. The following classes will be recognized at WVMBA XC races: Pro / Expert Men Open (Pro/Ex) Women Open (Pro/Ex) Junior Veteran 35+ Masters 45+ Single Speed Sport: Men Open Women Open Junior Men Veteran 35+ Women Veteran 35+ Masters 45+ Grand Masters 55+ Clydesdale (200lbs +) Beginner: Men Open Women Open Youth 8-11 Youth 12-14 Just For Fun! ** non-series class All age classifications are based on racers age on December 31st of the current year.
Beer, Bacon, Bourbon & Bluegrass Festival
The name says it all! There will be Beer, Bacon, Bourbon, & Bluegrass… Live Music by Poor Taters, The Kind Thieves, and Virginia Ground as well as an afterparty with Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns! All tickets holders will get access to the bacon bar, a bourbon tasting and a commemorative shot glass.
Russian National Ballet Theater Presents: Cinderella
With Russia’s finest dancers, Prokofiev’s exuberant music, sumptuous costumes, lush scenery, and comical stepsisters, this performance is a treat for audiences of all ages. The classic fairy tale tells of the virtuous and mistreated servant girl who is magically transformed by her fairy godmother allowing her to attend the grand royal ball. She captures the heart of the handsome prince, but dashes off at the stroke of midnight, leaving only her glass slipper.
Recycled Percussion
Straight outta Las Vegas! This electric show mixes a gritty assault on buckets, power tools and anything else they can get their hands on. Since Justin Spencer formed Recycled Percussion in 1995, the band has been unstoppable. Their junk rock music became a national phenomenon week after week during their smash hit performances on America’s Got Talent in 2009. Playing over 4,000 shows and over 400 corporate events in over 15 countries, the group has also done guest appearances on “Carson Daly”, “The Today Show”, “China’s Got Talent” and the Latin Grammy Awards. After being featured on the cover of “USA Today” and being voted National Act of the Year a record-breaking six times, the band gained world-wide recognition. In 2010, they sealed the deal and became headliners in Las Vegas!
Rhythm of the Dance
This dance and music extravaganza is a tour of Irish tradition. Combining ancient with contemporary, the show features a live band, three tenors, and over 20 dancers from the National Dance Company of Ireland.
The Primate Fiasco LIVE at the RailYard
This Grammy nominated band from New England will be making a stop in Mercer County on February 18. Described as a fun Dixieland pop band, The Primate Fiasco is a band you don’t want to miss.
The Eleventh Hour
Come see what transpires when the local African American church is destroyed and they descend upon the white church down the road! "The Eleventh Hour," written by Vain Colby and directed by Thomas Lester is sure to entertain you! This original "Dramedy" is full of down home Gospel music (Musical Director Julie Hurley), great plot lines with lots of laughter, and a message that will leave you wondering why we segregate our worship services.
Grease Sing-A-Long
Have you ever been to a film musical and had the uncontrollable urge to burst into song? Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a T-bird or a Pink Lady but never quite felt cool enough to pull it off? Well, now is your chance to don those pink jackets, grease up those quiffs and let your inhibitions go for an evening where you are the stars. And remember GREASE is the word… It couldn’t be easier… or more fun! The first rule of Sing-a-long-a is THERE ARE NO RULES! Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential.
Winter Warmer
Nippy Drinks ~ Funky Music ~ Crafty Foods. Gather together, beat the chill and have a ball. Festival featuring musical groups, craft beer, games and food provided by local vendors. This year's headliner is Five Dollar Shake from Roanoke, VA. Purchase tickets online at eventbrite.com.
Enjoy a Blue Suede Christmas at Chuck Mathena Center
Elvis is coming to the Chuck Mathena Center for the holidays! Scot Bruce, America’s premier Elvis tribute artist, will bring his show, Blue Suede Christmas, to the Chuck Mathena Center on Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m. With his uncanny resemblance to Elvis, you will definitely want to hear the renditions of his Christmas songs including “Santa Bring My Baby Back” and “Blue Christmas.” The voice. The guitar. The swiveling hips. It’s Elvis all the way! Tickets for Blue Suede Christmas at CMC are on sale now. Go online to www.ChuckMathenaCenter.org or call 304 425-5128. You can always visit the CMC Box Office at 2 Stafford Commons in Princeton Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. All tickets are $25. Groups of ten or more receive a 10% discount. Show tickets make really great Christmas gifts. Buy for your whole family and your Christmas will be not be blue!
39th Annual Pumpkin Run
The Southern West Virginia Road Runners Club sponsors this 10,000 meter run, a 5,000 meter run, a 5,000 meter walk and a 800 meter fun run for children 12 years and younger. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at the Canyon Rim Center. Multiple divisions. T-shirts guaranteed to first 100 registered. Full details and registration fees listed on link below. Halloween Costume judging at finish line for those running and also running to have fun. A great late autumn event. Join us! Race/run information: Tom Davis, 304-384-3298 or cwotomd@gmail.com
The McKameys Return to Chuck Mathena Center
The Chuck Mathena proudly announces the return of The McKameys on November 18, 2016 at 7 p.m. This show marks the ninth performance by the beloved gospel singing family at CMC. With 16 No. 1 singles, the group has been honored by Horizon Records for having the most No. 1 hits in the history of Southern Gospel music. The McKameys also hold the record for having the most No.1 songs on Singing News magazine's charts. Tickets are $18.00, with a 10% discount for groups of ten or more, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chuckmathenacenter.org, by calling 304-425-5128 or visiting the CMC Box Office at 2 Stafford Commons, Princeton, WV 9am-5pm Monday – Friday.
Life Is Magic – Joshua Lozoff – Chuck Mathena Center
Joshua's show combines his love for the art of magic, and his fascination with psychology, intuition and other "inner workings of the mind." Joshua loves sharing his craft with people in every setting, and his love, respect and passion for magic comes across in every performance. Admission: $12 adults; $10 children.
FAME – The Musical at Chuck Mathena Center
Adairs Run Concert
Adairs Run is a country group with a fiery edge based in Nashville, TN. Their sound encompasses the roots from rock and roll all the way to melodies that tie into the heartfelt storytelling in today’s country music. The band is made up of Princeton native, Todd Hanchock, Pat Pollifrone, Ian Daugherty and Chad Yarger. In May 2016, the Band Released their first EP titled “Turn Back The Miles.” The new music features 6 new compositions including one song featuring hit rock artist, Chris Daughtry. The single was released to radio in June. Tickets may be purchased at www.chuckmathenacenter.org.
Adairs Run at The Chuck Mathena Center
Adairs Run is a country group based in Nashville, TN with a fiery edge. Their sound encompasses the roots of rock and roll all the way to melodies that tie into the heartfelt storytelling in today’s country music. This event is general admission only.
Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park Daytime Tour
Daytime paranormal tours.
Blue Highway Brings Bluegrass to Chuck Mathena Center
The award winning bluegrass band, Blue Highway, will take the stage at the Chuck Mathena Center on Saturday, July 23 at 7pm. There is no doubt that Blue Highway is one of the finest bluegrass bands around today. The highly esteemed group has earned 25 collective IBMA awards among its members and was voted Favorite Bluegrass Group of All Time by the readers of Bluegrass Today, April 2016. Blue Highway is praised by peers, fans and media alike. One of the most powerful descriptions of the 22-year strong band is shared by Country Standard Time News Magazine, “Wayne Taylor sings with the emotion of a man who escaped the coals mines and ain’t planning to go back. Tim Stafford continues to craft songs with depth…the instrumentation is perfect. From the get go, Jason Burleson opens with the unique style that defines bluegrass banjo. Shawn Lane exemplifies modern mandolin, yet nods to the Monroe legacy. Three lead singers…rich harmony…songs of forgotten homeless veterans, fallen heroes and heartbroken families. Blue Highway personifies modern acoustic music with respect to the tradition. Highly recommended, highly respected.” Tickets are on sale now at Chuck Mathena Center, 2 Stafford Commons, Princeton, WV 24739. You can purchase tickets online at www.chuckmathenacenter.org or by calling the Box Office at 304 425-5128. All tickets are $25. A ten percent discount is available to groups of ten or more. Save 25% when you buy a CMC Season Pass for four or more shows! Check out the whole season, Ballet to Bluegrass, at www.chuckmathenacenter.org.
Bluefield Lemon Drop
Beautiful Bluefield presents the “Lemon Drop” New Year’s Eve Celebration. Bluefield WV’s own version of the Times Square ball drop, only this drop features a large, lighted lemon in true Bluefield style. The Annual Lemon Drop will take place on Raleigh Street, downtown Bluefield at 12 midnight, but the party will start earlier.
Mercer County Heritage Festival
Step into the past and relive the days of Appalachian History. The Heritage Festival features Civil War storytellers, farm animals, re-enactors such as Gen. Robert E. Lee and wife, Abraham Lincoln and wife, Booker T. Washington, Mark Twain, Ostenaco (Cherokee Warrior), craftsmen, vendors, food, Native American presenters , African American presenters, blacksmithing, spinning wheel, weaving, crafts, barn dance, railroad and coal mining displays, Appalachian music, flatfooting, Ladie's tea, and much more! Friday is educational day for schools. Veteran's commemoration on Saturday and Sunday with door prizes for veterans. Civil War Era church service on Sunday morning. Small admission fee.
Pocahontas NRHS Train Show
This annual show will delight children and train enthusiasts. Model trains will be on display, as well as plenty of collectibles and memorabilia. The show is sponsored by the Pocahontas Chapterof the NRHS. Door prizes, free parking, wheelchair accessible, refreshments available, vendors, rail videos, Heritage Interstate Unit on Point of Double Stack Train. Miami Valley Modular Railway; Operating, N & Lionel Layouts. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family.