BILL ARCHER
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD —
Although storm clouds threatened early on Saturday, the 12th annual Bluefield Street Fair brought many smiling faces to downtown Bluefield for a day filled with fun, food, fellowship, bargains, entertainment and games.
William Matthews, 7, of Bluefield, tried his hand at the downhill derby on Raleigh Street. “It was pretty good,” he said of the motor-less car that carried him to the finish line. Was he frightened? “Not that much,” he said. “I think it was fun.”
Matthews had the support of his parents, Monty and Beth Matthews as well as his little sister, Abby Matthews who stood on the sidewalk and rooted for him. “He made a Pinewood Derby car in the Cub Scouts this year, so we thought he might like to do this too,” Beth Matthews said.
“We have had a great turn-out for the event this year,” Bill Nabors of Warlick Furniture said. “We have 32 competitors in two categories including ages 6-9 years, and ages 10-12 years old.” Nabors said. “Art (Riley) puts his heart and soul into this street fair every year. We wouldn’t have this without his efforts.”
A group of 30 middle school students from the Dayton, Ohio area traveled to southern West Virginia as part of a mission trip with the Christian Life Center of Dayton, according to Pastor Scott Nagle, Junior High School Youth pastor at the church.
“We’re here with Cornerstone Family Church in Princeton, but today we’re here working to help the Bluefield Union Mission,” Nagle said. “We come down every year. On (Friday) we were visiting with residents at Glenwood Retirement Community. We will be attending the worship service (today) in Princeton before we return home. We have 30 students and 10 adults in our group.”
Lydia Etchison, 12, said she was having a great time helping the Union Mission, but said she really enjoyed her visit with the Glenwood Park residents. “There was one man — his name was Jim — who laughed a lot,” she said. “His laugh made me laugh too.”
Ally Chitwood, also 12, a rising seventh grade student at Tipp City Middle School, said she enjoyed playing games with the residents. “It’s been a lot of fun,” she said.
Olivia Gasher, also 12, said her favorite part of the visit was visiting with nursing home residents. “They were all so sweet,” she said.
When William Shepherd walked into Chicory Square dressed as a storm trooper from “Star Wars,” the students flocked to him and took photographs. Jerry Conner, commodore of the U.S.S. Yeager, and Bluefield State College Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, was at a booth promoting the club’s convention, Rising Star 19, scheduled Oct. 22-23, at the Harris Jefferson Student Union Building on the BSC campus, but during the downhill races, he appeared as “Byiomon,” from “Digimon,” according to Jonathan Jennings of Bluefield.
“It’s the costume for Byiomon from the second or third season,” Conner said. “A couple little kids have come up and hugged me.”
Art Riley, president of the Downtown Bluefield Merchants Association said that the turn-out for the Bluefield Union Mission auction has been the best in the 12 years of the street fair. “Thanks to the donated items, we raised $611 for the mission,” Riley said. “Every penny helps.” Randle Grant, a well-known local auctioneer, kept the bidders excited through the auction.
Craig Hammond expressed his appreciation to the students from Dayton who came to help as well as all of the people who contributed items for the auction. “We had a 100-year-old high chair donated and a World War II era German officers leather winter vest,” Hammond said. “We’re just thankful for the support.”
Riley said the downhill derby first place winners in each category received $100 savings bonds donated by First Community Band, second place winners received $50 Savings Bonds courtesy of BB&T Bank and the third place winners received $20 each, donated by Landmark Antique Mall.
— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com
