By Chelsea Blair
For over 30 years the WV Dandelion Festival, sponsored by White Sulphur Springs Main Street and the City of White Sulphur Springs, has brought entertainment to the area for Memorial Day weekend. The purpose of the festival is to kick off the holiday weekend as the unofficial beginning of summer, while highlighting local businesses and providing a festive atmosphere for anyone who joins the celebration.
In 1986, Dr. Frank Collins, along with others in the community, decided White Sulphur Springs needed a festival of their own. Collins stated in an interview last year they had no money for a festival and did not know where to start. They asked the bank of WSS and the Greenbrier to donate money, sold t-shirts with the help of Alleghany Tees, and held a carnival to make the idea come to life. According to Collins, after spending countless hours deciding on a name for the festival, the name “Dandelion Festival” was suggested because we grow better ones around here than anywhere else around. Collins also said he thinks the support from the people of the community is what has kept the Dandelion Festival alive for the last few decades.
The fun begins on Friday, May 24 and continues through Sunday, May 26. You can expect many vendors, lots of great food and endless fun. The scheduled events of the Dandelion Festival are as follows:
Friday, May 24:
- 3-8 p.m. – Vendors, food, and local shopping
- 6-8 p.m. – Art Show opening and Wine and Cheese Reception at the White Sulphur Spring Public Library with music by Leah Trent
- 8-10 p.m. – Live music by Allan Dale Sizemore and the Lost Souls on the School House Hotel Lawn
Saturday, May 25:
- 7:30 a.m. – Dandelion Dream Chase 5k, racers gather at the School House Hotel lawn, race begins at 8 a.m. Preregistration is encouraged, sponsored by Kissito Health Care
- 8 a.m. – Children’s Fishing Derby, National Fish Hatchery, 601 Main St, sponsored by the National Fish Hatchery and White Sulphur Springs Rotary
- 10 a.m. to dusk- vendors, food, and local shopping on Main St
- 10 a.m. to dusk- Kids Zone activities provided by WV Inflatable at Midland Trail Park
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Art Show Exhibit, White Sulphur Springs Public Library
- 1-2:30 p.m. -Live music by Country Blue, main stage
- 3-4:30 p.m. -Live music by Richard Hefner and the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, main stage
- 5-6:30 p.m. -Live music by Midland Trail Band
- 4-8 p.m. -Cruise In, Main St
- 5:30 p.m. -RC Car Race, Main St
- 6:45 p.m. -Dandy Legs Contest, main stage
- 7:30 to 10 p.m. -Live music by Thomas Taylor Band, main stage
- Dark – Fireworks, visible from downtown, by WSS Fire Department, Alderson Fire Department and WV Dandelion Festival
Sunday, May 26:
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Art Show Exhibit, WSS Public Library
- 12-1:30 p.m. – Veterans Luncheon, Paisley Park Pavilion, sponsored by the School House Hotel and Blue Ridge Lumber
- 2 p.m. – Veterans Memorial Ceremony, main stage
- 5 p.m. WV Dandelion Festival Parade, line up at 4 p.m. on Ingleside Ave
The main stage is outdoors, located at 697 Main St E (located in the park adjacent from Midland Trail Park).
The Pretty Baby/Toddler Pageant scheduled for Saturday has been postponed until a later date and the Gospel Sing has been canceled. The event will continue “rain or shine.”
The WSS Pool will also be opening on Memorial Day weekend, and will be open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The pool will be open the following weekend with the same hours. After June 8, the pool will be open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. The cost is $6 per person four years old and up, and children aged three and under have free admission with an adult.
Members of the WV Dandelion Festival hope to see you for a fun filled Memorial Day weekend.
