PINCH, W.Va. — For the 113th year, a community in upper Kanawha County will come together this weekend.
The annual Pinch Reunion — which organizers call the oldest community reunion of its kind in the United States — opens Friday and continues through Sunday in Pinch.
“It just takes people in the community who want to keep it going,” said Jeff Brannon, the spokesperson for the Pinch Reunion, of the long-running tradition.
The goal, he said, is “To have a community event to bring all the members of the community together for some fellowship and fun.”
Judge William W. Wertz and other Elk River residents held the first Pinch Reunion in 1902 as a Sunday school picnic for students who had attended the old Pinch School. The event has grown since then into a celebration for the entire community.
This weekend’s events include a parade, car show, 5-K run, pie and cookie baking contest, pageant, games for kids and food. Music is planned for Friday night and Saturday night the Pinch Reunion Grounds and there will be a church service Sunday.
A full schedule is available here.
Brannon was a guest on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”