Still the place for music, fun

FOLLANSBEE - Organizers of Follansbee Community Days said though one day has been dropped from the annual festival, the schedule for this year still will include a lot of music and fun.

The Follansbee Community Days Committee has announced that in light of economic hard times experienced by area businesses, the decision was made to drop a Friday afternoon and evening from the festival's schedule. But they said in addition to July 11-12, when a variety of food, crafts and other vendors will line Virginia Avenue, the festival still will include the popular kickoff at Follansbee Park on Sunday, the Follansbee Community Days Dinner on July 8 and such standard Community Days features as the parade on Main Street, a classic car show, fireworks and live entertainment.

The kickoff at the city park again will include free admission to the city pool, swimming contests and other activities for children, free drinks and hot dogs and live music. The lineup of bands to perform in the park's gazebo are: Doctor Zoot, a swing band, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; country vocalist Ron Retzer, 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.; and country band Hank Vincent and Stone Street Station, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Festivities on July 11 will be kicked off at 9 a.m. with the Mayor's 5K Run-Walk, an event that was added last year. Those interested in running or walking may register online at www.CityofFollansbee.net/5K for $7 each. Those registering from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 10 and 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. July 12 at Virginia Avenue will pay $10 each.

Proceeds will go to a scholarship fund.

The Follansbee Community Days Parade will follow at 1 p.m. on Main Street. Serving as marshal will be 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge James Mazzone. A Follansbee native, Mazzone twice was named a temporary justice to the state Supreme Court of Appeals and was the youngest judge to serve.

He has served on various state judicial panels.

The theme for the parade will be "Follansbee is More Than a Community. It is a Family."

The lineup of entertainment on July 11 is as follows: Doo-wop singing group the Four Townsmen, 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; the Original Fantasys, a local oldies band, 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.; and the Outsiders featuring Sonny Geraci, a Cleveland-based pop group that had such hits as "Time Won't Let Me" and "Help Me Girl" in the 1960s, 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A classic car show will be held, with registration from 10 a.m. to noon and judging from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Entertainment on July 12 will include the Driftin' Hoopie Experience, a local country band; local oldies band Legend; and Shout: Legends of Soul.

The festival will conclude with a fireworks display at 10:10 p.m.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)