So when Mother Nature serves you lemons, what is one naturally to do? Make lemonade, of course! That’s exactly what the town of Alderson decided to do when they announced their Patriotic Days Festival, scheduled for August 25th through September 4th. Due to the major disruption that the now infamous derecho storm left on our region during the July 4th weekend, Alderson had to postpone their popular Independence Day celebration. Many of those activities and events have been rescheduled for the Patriotic Days Festival, with a few more added in to sweeten the pot.

A bicycle race kicks things off on Saturday, August 25th. The following Saturday a 5k run/walk and horseshoe tournament highlights the second major day of the celebration, in addition to various field events planned throughout the afternoon. The Esquires, featuring 50’s and 60’s music, will entertain guests from 7:30 pm – Midnight on Saturday, breaking just long enough to enjoy the Grand Fireworks display scheduled for 9:30pm.

Sunday features a white water canoe race, which will be held on a 7-mile stretch of the Greenbrier River. Participants completing the course in the shortest time bring home top honors. Just below the Alderson mini-park, situated along the banks of the Greenbrier, other various river events will be held, with things getting kicked off at 1pm. According to Alderson’s Patriotic Day’s press releases, “Men, women, children, and anything that floats race”! A Fireman’s Rodeo at 7pm wraps up things on Sunday evening.

The Grand Labor Day Parade is sure to be a crowd pleaser, with floats, cars, tractors, horses, queens, fire trucks, and a whole lot more planning to appear at 10:30 am Monday morning. Stuart’s Smokehouse will once again host their annual hot dog eating contest, with the competitive eating starting around 1pm. Musical entertainment, featuring the band Nashville Departure, coupled with a talent contest and a chance to perform in front of a large, live audience begins just after noon at the Alderson Memorial Football Field. The Grand Gospel Concert commences at 6pm on Monday evening, followed by the widely popular and captivating Grand Fireworks Display at 9m.

Starting at noon on Tuesday, the Alderson Medical Center will be on hand conducting a safety fair, featuring a guest appearance by Bimbo Coles. Lucy Ramey and Jackie Goodall will also perform live at the Alderson mini-park at 4:30 pm.
Rounding out the festivities on Tuesday evening at 6pm, hundreds of little fledglings will be released into the wild during the Ducks on the Greenbrier rubber ducky race. Tickets are currently on sale at several locations, and will continue to be sold during the celebration up until the start of the race. Top prize is $5000 cash!

For more information visit alderson4th.com or email: alderson4th@gmail.com. No pets are allowed during this event.

-Craig Miller. Issue #14 (Aug 27)