BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – Beckley’s 30th annual Friday in the Park series will open on Friday, June 4, 2021.
The concert series will be held weekly from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m, weather permitting, at Word Park on Neville Street. Various food vendors will offer lunch items for sale each Friday.
Director of Events for the City of Beckley Jill Moorefield says the event originally started as a way for those who worked downtown to get together, socialize and enjoy music on Fridays, but that, throughout the years, it grew into a much larger event not just for downtown workers but for others in the community and even tourists passing through.
Moorefield says everyone is welcome to attend, especially after the city couldn’t hold music last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It’s just exciting to be able to get back out and socialize and enjoy some local talent. I know a lot of the performers missed it last year, so we are just happy to be able to get back out there.”
A few changes have been made to this year’s event, including different music and dance groups, as well as a shortened schedule. Past Friday in the Park events have kicked off in mid-May.
In addition to starting a few weeks later than usual, June 25 will not feature a Friday in the Park lunch concert as downtown will be getting ready for the Great Race to visit that evening.
The Friday in the Park schedule is as follows:
June 4: Mia Bailey (variety gospel) at 11:30 a.m. and Rick Lilly (gospel) at 12:15 p.m.
June 11: Billy Payne (country)
June 18: Dave Runion (variety, oldies, rock, country)
July 2: Alan Kinsler (variety, patriotic) at 11:30 a.m. and Theatre West Virginia (Alice preview) at 12:45 p.m.
July 9: The Raleigh Playhouse Open Mic (variety) at 11:30 a.m. and Theatre West Virginia (Honey preview) at 12:45 p.m.
July 16: Sam Ingram (Sam’s Singing Telegrams) & Emilee Armstrong
July 23: Verdeant (Chloe and Bryce Painter) at 11:30 a.m. and Theatre West Virginia (Tarzan preview) at 12:45 p.m.
July 30 (DANCE DAY): Beckley Dance Theatre School (street style free dance class) at 11:30 a.m.; Alexandria & Shades of Amber at 11:55 a.m.; Beckley Area Shag Club at 12:15 p.m.; Line Dancers at 12:35 p.m.
August 6: Lady D (blues)
August 13: Faith Community Church (praise) at 11:30 a.m.; How Great Thou Art (gospel) at 12:00 p.m.; Lucas Loeke Howell (Christian rap) at 12:30 p.m.
August 20: Chris Oxley Quartet (jazz)
August 27 (APPALACHIAN FESTIVAL): Lost Cannon Bluegrass at 11:30 a.m. and Shane Ingram & Friends at 12:20 p.m.
Other events being planned downtown in the coming months that are not part of Friday in the Park include the Great Race on Friday, June 25; Third Friday Around the Block (Neville/ Underground) on Friday, July 16; Summer Car & Bike Show on Saturday, July 31; Third Friday Around the Block (Main Street) on Friday, August 20; Appalachian Festival Street Fair on Saturday, August 28; Kids Classic Festival on Saturday, September 11; and Chili Night on Saturday, October 2.
The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine will also be hosting a West Virginia Day event on Sunday, June 20, and Honey Festival on Saturday, August 21.
The City of Beckley will host a firework show at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4.
Stay up to date on Friday in the Park and other upcoming events by visiting the Beckley Events Facebook page.
