Follansbee Community Days remains one of the most-anticipated celebrations in the Northern Panhandle — and Tri-State Area.

It’s a three-day festival that opens Friday, with the parking lot of the Follansbee Community House being the center of the activities.

There will be plenty to do for people of all ages, with craft vendors, food vendors and, of course, entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday when the Fantasys take the stage, with the New Pure Gold following at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Gemtones perform at 6 p.m. with Shining Star, an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute band, performing at 8:30 p.m. Twice as Nice will perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, with the Motor City Motown Review following at 8:15 p.m.

And, the 29th-annual event will come to an end around 10 p.m. with the annual fireworks extravaganza.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, the annual parade will travel down Main Street.

Sunday’s events will include the annual Howard “Howdy” Verner Memorial Car and Bike Cruise from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lyle’s Auto on Main Street. Proceeds will benefit juvenile diabetes.

Activities actually began June 24, when the annual kickoff dinner was held at the St. Francis Centre. WVU quarterback Nicco Marchiol was the guest speaker for the evening, which saw honors presented to Anthony “Yaggy” Tacozza, Diane Boger, Arnold Plittman, Mike Highfield, Paul DiGiacinto and Nick Fuscardo. Acknowledged during the dinner were Nina Meca and Anthony Paesano, who had played big roles in the festival before their deaths, Meca on March 5 and Paesano on Nov 5.

Residents of Follansbee take great pride in the annual Community Days festival. We encourage area residents to enjoy the experience.