WARM SPRINGS – Schools are preparing to release for the summer, and there will be plenty to do in Bath County.
So say organizers of three summer-themed events scheduled to take place Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5.
To kick off the summer, the Bath County Farmers Market opens its season on Saturday June 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a host of vendors, music, food and activities.
“This is our third season and every year we get bigger and better,” commented Mary Hodges of the Bath County Farmers Market.
The Bath County Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of downtown Hot Springs and offers a variety of artisan crafts and fresh food products that are made and produced within 100 miles of our County.
“As a bonafide farmers market promoting ‘Buy Fresh, Buy Local’ the Bath County Farmers Market insists all of its vendors produce the products they bring to market as a way of supporting sustainable community agriculture,” Hodges explained. The Bath County Farmers Market will continue throughout the summer, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Hot Springs.
Then at 7 p.m. Saturday, it’s time to head downtown to the BBT parking lot and join in an old fashioned block party hosted by WCHG local community radio (107.1-FM), Bath County Parks and Recreation and the County of Bath Tourism.
“Dancing in the street is the order of the day,” enthused Carol Hardbarger, station manager for WCHG local community radio.
This event is one of several being planned as a way to help raise money for the transmission tower that was just installed by the county.
“Whatever money we raise will go into a fund to be given to the county. It is our way of saying thank you for that wonderful tower,” explained Hardbarger.
D.J. Willie will be on hand to spin tunes which will include rock, country and plenty of square dancing.
“We had so much fun at the barn dance in April” noted Willie Smith, volunteer D.J. for WCHG, “that we wanted to give everyone a chance to come out again and enjoy the music and the dancing. And yes, square dancing will be a big part of this event!”
Admission to the festivities will be $5 per person; children under 12 accompanied by a parent will get in free.
The Hot Springs Fire Department will provide the hot dogs, french fries and refreshments, starting at 6 p.m. For more information call, 540-839-5400.
On Sunday afternoon, June 5 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., “Kid’s Fishing Day” returns to Bath County.
Children 15 and under are invited out to the Bath County Pumped Storage Station Recreation Picnic Shelter to test their fishing abilities in celebration of National Fishing Week.
“In addition to the chance of catching some good-sized fish, kids will have an opportunity to learn about fish and their environment”, explained Billy Stover, Hot Springs Fire and Rescue Association. “There will be displays providing instructions on fishing basics, fish biology, knot tying, water safety, angler ethics, casting, handling and releasing fish and well as fishing regulations.”
No license is required to participate in the event, which includes free lunch, contests, prizes, free bait, poles and tackle.
“We have a casting contest by age group” explained Steve Tanguay of the Warm Springs Ranger District, “so there are lots of opportunities to win.”
This special event, in its 20th year, is made possible by the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service’s Warm Springs Ranger District, area businesses and private donations.
For further information call 540-839-2521.