DUNBAR, W.Va – Dunbar residents and even natives who have moved away are set to converge on the town’s 12th Street Plaza on Friday for the town’s annual Fall Festival.
Dunbar Mayor Scott Elliott is excited because he says that the event turns into a community homecoming.
“They come back just for this, and I call it a reunion every year for certain ones of us that are around especially. They’re there, they come in, and as you mingle through the crowd, you run into old friends,” he said.
Events during the festival include live music with acts like Non-Friction, 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience, the 77th Experience, and the Appalachian Lightning Band, along with live wrestling at city hall and the Charleston Ballet. Elliott said there’s even more to enjoy, and most of it comes at no cost.
“Everything’s free. The food, of course, you have to pay for that, and there’s going to be crafters all over the facility. I think we have 59 crafters and people selling stuff this year,” he said.
Elliott said one of the surprise highlights of the festival each year is the performances between the local middle school bands. A budding rivalry on stage seems to always draw a crowd.
“We’ll have the middle school bands. There’s a little bit of a rivalry competition from Dunbar Middle School and South Charleston Middle School, and everybody will be jamming to the bands,” Elliott said.
Craft and food vendors open at 4 pm on Friday with the opening ceremonies at 5, and live music with local performer Jeanie Raines begins at 5:30. Saturday’s activities start at 11 am with the middle school band performances, followed by a live DJ from 12 to 4 pm.
The Kids Corner opens at 1 pm with a bounce house, petting zoo, and pony rides among the attractions. A full schedule of events is available on the Dunbar Fall Festival Facebook page.