Fourth of July Fun and Fireworks in Nature’s Mountain Playground
Michael Moore
Well, summer formally got underway this year on June 21. And while this date marks the official beginning of the season, for me it doesn’t seem like summer has truly arrived until Independence Day. There’s just something about the Fourth of July in West Virginia that says summer has finally come. The delicious Fourth of July food, patriotic celebrations, parades, and of course fireworks, usher summer in here in the Mountain State, quite literally, with a bang. And for many folks around the country, Fourth of July events kick off their summer vacation plans. Whether your summer activities include a patriotic, cross-country road trip taking in some American history or perhaps an adventure closer to home to brush up on your West Virginia history, the Fourth of July is the perfect jumping off point for your summer getaway plans. Now, if you’re looking for some Fourth of July activities to get your summer started right, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, might just be the place you’re looking for. So, here’s a little preview of what Nature’s Mountain Playground has in store for some Fourth of July fun.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
If you live in or nearby Pocahontas County and find yourself asking, “I wonder if there will be any fireworks near me this Fourth of July?” Snowshoe Mountain Resort can answer that question with a resounding yes. But Snowshoe has much more than just fireworks in store. How about an entire weekend of Fourth of July fun? From live music, trail runs/hikes, and good-natured competitions of all kinds, Snowshoe has a fun filled Fourth of July weekend that you won’t want to miss.
The Fourth of July festivities kick off Friday evening, July 1, at 7:30 with live music in the Village Plaza. The fun picks back up on Saturday, July 2, with a salsa competition from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes of West Virginia. The live music will also begin at 1:00 p.m. and last up to Snowshoe’s fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. – but the fun doesn’t end with the fireworks. Be sure to plan one more day on the mountain as Sunday, July 3, brings on the competitive side of the weekend. Things get started early at 10:00 a.m. with the Forever Wild 5k Trail Run/Hike at Silver Creek (registration from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.). And if your competitive nature leans a little more towards the fun side and less to the run side of things, the Sunday competition will also include a bubble gum blowing competition, a seed spitting competition, and an ice cream eating contest (I’m just hoping the spitting competition is facing away from the ice cream eating contest). Snowshoe will round out the day with more live music from 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., check out snowshoemtn.com for all the details.
Town of Marlinton
Join the good folks of Marlinton Monday, July 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Discovery Junction (next door to the Opera House) for their neighborhood Fourth of July party. Come out for free watermelon and ice cream and live music. Also, enjoy some good-natured competition for the kids. Starting at 4:30 p.m. with a parasol contest. Parasols will be judged on the most patriotic as well as the prettiest and ugliest. At 5:00 p.m. there will be a bubble gum blowing contest, followed up at 5:30 p.m. with a cracker eating/whistle blowing challenge. The Marlinton Fourth of July party promises lots of fun, so come out and enjoy the evening with family and friends.
Boyer Station Campground
Located in the upper portion of Pocahontas County just north of Green Bank, Boyer Station Campground will be holding a two day Fourth of July celebration that’s packed with family fun. Be sure to bring plenty of red, white, and blue decorations for your camper and compete in their camper decorating contest. We’re looking for patriotic colors here, so load up on the red, white, and blue and show them what you can do. Friday, July 1, will be Movie Night at the campground, featuring an outdoor movie screen. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy some popcorn and the family-friendly classic movie, “The Sandlot”. The fun continues Saturday, July 2, as West Virginia Inflatables provides water slides and a jump house starting at 10 a.m. The festivities continue throughout the day with Fourth of July crafts for the kids, slip and slides, bumper balls, and a water balloon toss at 2 p.m. And since it wouldn’t be a proper Fourth of July celebration without some cool treats, Boyer Station will be selling ice cream and popsicles at 3:00 p.m. The evening rounds out with a dance party from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with fire works following at 9:00 p.m. To make camping reservations give Boyer Station a call at 304-456-4858 and be sure to check them out on Facebook.
Like I said, there’s something special about the Fourth of July in West Virginia. It’s something that extends far beyond the festivities and fireworks; it’s the people and their hospitality. A friendly face, welcoming spirit, a smile and a wave that draws people back time and time again. And if you ask me, when you combine that friendly nature with the fun and fireworks of the Fourth of July, you’ve got a winning combination for a fantastic kickoff to summer. And what better way to get your summer vacation plans underway than to enjoy the food, fun, and fireworks of the Fourth of July. We here at Nature’s Mountain Playground what to wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July this year. And we’d love for you to spend a little of the holiday here with us.
