BECKLEY - The 9th Annual Friends of Coal Auto Fair kicks-off this week providing an incredible weekend of family fun and entertainment:
Thursday, July 19
Gambill Amusements will offer a special pre-event evening session featuring its carnival rides and games for children and adults from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Unlimited ride wrist bands will be available for $18. Individual tickets will also be available for purchase.
Free on-site parking and show ground admission will be available to the general public at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex.
Friday, July 20, "Family Night"
For the first time, the Friends of Coal Auto Fair will present "Family Night", an evening of entertainment and fun for the whole family to enjoy. Families are encouraged to come out early to watch the parade of vehicles and motorcycles start their Cruise-In to uptown Beckley, enjoy Gambill Amusements rides and games at a special "Family Night" price of $15 for unlimited ride wrist bands, catch a live performance by country music artist Stella Parton, a special presentation of Disney-Pixar's "Cars" and a 15-minute fireworks display courtesy of the Friends of Coal Auto Fair's Platinum Sponsors.
Free off-site parking and shuttle service directly to the show grounds will be available.
A detailed schedule of Friday's activities is listed below:
Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Show ground admission: $2
Children 12 and under get in free
Car show begins. Register a vehicle or motorcycle for $20.
6 p.m.
Line-up and start to Cruise-In
6 p.m. - to 11 p.m.
Gambill Amusements Evening Session
$15 Family Night Special Unlimited Ride Wrist Bands
*Individual ride tickets will also be available for purchase.
7 p.m.
Live in Concert: Stella Parton
- Free show by international award winning, Grammy nominated country music artist Stella Parton.
- Directly following the show, Stella will be available to meet and greet fans.
9 p.m.
"Movies on the Lawn" featuring: Disney-Pixar's "Cars"
10:30 p.m.
15-minute fireworks display
Saturday, July 21 "Coal Miner's Day"
"Coal Miner's Day" celebrates the West Virginia coal miner and is the heart of the show. The Friends of Coal Auto Fair is firing on all cylinders at this point with plenty of entertainment, food and fun.
Free off-site parking and shuttle service directly to the show grounds will be available.
A detailed schedule of Saturday's activities is listed below:
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Show Ground Admission: $2
Children 12 and under get in free
Car show continues. Register a vehicle or motorcycle for $20.
8 a.m.
Mine Safety Competition
-Ginny, the Rescue Dog, will be on-site courtesy of Alpha Natural Resources!
1 p.m.
Creager Tire Burnout Competition
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Gambill Amusements Afternoon Session
$18 Unlimited Ride Wrist Bands
*Individual ride tickets will also be available for purchase.
5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Gambill Amusements Evening Session
$18 Unlimited Ride Wrist Bands
*Individual ride tickets will also be available for purchase.
8 p.m.
US Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights"
8:15 p.m.
Saturday Night Concert: Featuring Country Music Superstar Ronnie Dunn w/ special guest James Wesley!
General Admission: $27 (Children 12 & under get in FREE with general admission ticket holders)
Reserved Seating: Starting at $42
Advance tickets on sale at www.friendsofcoalautofair.com
Tickets also sold on-site day of show.
Sunday, July 22 "Awards & Worship Day"
The final day of the show allows the public to park on-site and enter the shoe grounds free of charge courtesy of our Platinum Sponsors. No shuttle service will be available. Enjoy the final day of the car show, carnival rides and games. A church service will also be offered that morning.
A detailed schedule of Sunday's activities is listed below:
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Car Show finishes strong. Register your vehicle or motorcycle for $20.
10:30 a.m.
Sunday morning Church Service with Randy Mann
-Enjoy a non-denominational service on-site at the show.
Noon
Awards Presentation
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Gambill Amusements afternoon session
$15 Unlimited Ride Wrist Bands
*Individual ride tickets will also be available for purchase.
3 p.m.
Show ends.
On-site throughout the weekend: Advance Auto Parts presents Monster Jam "Grave Digger," #39 US Army NASCAR car, Martin Truex Jr.'s #56 NAPA Batteries Toyota (Saturday), Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary, US Army Veterans Display, Remember the Miners, National Guard Climbing Wall Challenge, sponsor displays, flea market, specialty vendors, food court and other activities.
The 9th Annual Friends of Coal Auto Fair is set to raise the bar again this year. The event continues to shine a light on what the coal mining industry represents in our communities and the positive impact it has here in southern West Virginia, across the state and around the country.
All proceeds from the event support the YMCA of Southern West Virginia and its efforts to nurture the potential of every child and teen, improve the nation's health and well-being and give back and provide support to our neighbors.
For more information, visit www.friendsofcoalautofair.com.
