FAIRMONT, W.Va. –A popular festival hosted in the City of Fairmont is ready to return for the Memorial Day weekend.
The 47th Annual West Virginia Three Rivers Festival officially kicks off on Thursday at Palantine Park, where the annual Three Rivers Festival Parade starts three days’ worth of festivities that will take place over the weekend. Festival Parade Director Jon Dodds encourages Marion County residents as well as those living in surrounding counties to stop on by to enjoy live music, carnival food, and the Fairmont area culture that has been showcased since the 1970s.
“The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival just means a lot to a lot of people,” said Dodds. “In my opinion, it’s become like a tradition for families to get together every year, year after year, and it brings us together.”
According to Dodds, the parade kicks off on Thursday at 6 p.m. on Fourth Street, where dozens of local community organizations, as well as the winners of the Three Rivers Festival Beauty Pageants will take part in the festivities. The parade will then end at Palatine Park, where the festival fairgrounds will be open for residents to take part in activities ranging from carnival rides to the 17th Annual Pepperoni Roll Bake-off. Festival grounds will be open at 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. over the next three days.
“We’re kicking off today at 6 PM with the Grand Features Parade through downtown Fairmont, it ends at the park, then we’ll have opening ceremonies and then the festival kicks off,” said Dodds. “The carnival is then open, and then we lead into the weekend.”
Along with the Three Rivers Festival Grand Parade, there will also be a half dozen live performers who will be taking the stage at Palatine Park. This includes Rick K. and Viva Las Elvis on Friday with local acts Grable and Reeves, Tunnels End, and About Last Night performing on Saturday. Flight 66 will conclude the live musical acts before the annual Three Rivers Festival Fireworks Display will wrap up the festivities Saturday night.
“Saturday, we have Flight 66, who are amazing, and then they take us right up to the grand fireworks display at 10 p.m.,” said Dodds.
The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival aims to commemorate over 50 years of Marion County history, with the first one taking place back in 1979 when the festival was called September Fest. Since then, the coal mining tribute has grown into a three-day festival that includes a focus on the historical aspects of the county and a showcase of local musical culture. With the carnival grounds open until Saturday, Dodds hopes North Central West Virginians can come down and enjoy the fun.
“We celebrate our community and spirit of Marion County and culture,” said Dodds. “And what I love about it is it’s a chance to connect with people you might not have seen for a while.”