Come out to support the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department
The Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department is holding its sixth annual Back Home Festival on Sept. 6 and 7. There will be food, music, and activities for all in Williamsburg throughout the weekend.
Friday food includes walking tacos and hot dogs with all the fixings, popcorn, and drinks in the firehouse from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The music lineup will begin on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. with Allan Sizemore and the Lost Souls, followed by Greener Pastures at 7:30. Both these groups will give you a great show.
Allan got his first guitar from the trash as growing up in the hollow of Trout Valley, WV they were hard to come by. His uncle brought it to him, an old Harmony, one string, hole in the back. He would help Uncle T and many of his aunts and uncles out in the Valley, but Uncle T taught him some banjo chords when he came to help him. That summer he worked for pay in the hayfields and bought his own guitar at 10 years old. He sat and played for hours and wrote his first song at 15 years old, since then Allan has written hundreds of songs. He became a member of ASCAP in 1989 and has had hundreds of songs published. He has played many festivals such as MerleFest, the John Hartford Memorial Festival, Live on the Levee, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, The Lowell Folk Festival, The Americana Music Festival, and many others. He has been around, back again, and now back again. The Lost Souls consists of longtime music scene veterans Dan Freeman on bass and Nick Cornwell on drums.
Greener Pastures takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. and was established in April of 2023. Their name is still new to the music scene, but the veteran musicians are far from being green in experience! David Lynch is known as “the best soul singer on the east coast” according to Jeff Bryant, retired music educator. His powerful vocals eclectic range has astounded the local music scene for decades. Kimberly Dawn’s powerful bluesy voice had its start in churches singing gospel and her addition helps us play a much larger range of music. Educated at Berkley College of Music and WVU, Virgil Kelly adds his jazz-influenced style to the mix on keyboards and vocals. Escaping Russia during the fall of the USSR, Andrei KharaSov adds his unique take on the American genres with his Slavic guitar riffs. The solid bass lines of Jason Cooper round out the bottom end with his perfect P-bass tone. Relocating from New York City, drummer Tom France lays down the beat with utmost precision. His timing and groove provide the perfect framework for our musical canvas. Be entertained by this group with their take on your favorite songs in rock, blues, grunge, soul, R&B, funk, and much more, so be ready to get up and get that body moving and feel the beats of these 2 bands.
On Saturday morning be ready to sign up for some adventure and fun, as there will be two rides available for Jeeps, side by sides, etc. One of the rides will be less demanding, but action packed for the whole family, and one will be more adventurous and challenging. Come on out to Williamsburg for a scenic ride that has some adventures and fun along with the beauty of the mountains. Jeeps, side by sides, or whatever you want to drive. The most adventurous ride will be led by Jedediah Smith, the Backroads of Appalachia Director of Operations. The less demanding ride is $25 and the more challenging ride $50, have the time of your life then return to the Firehouse for some more great fun. There will be an auction, raffle, wonderful food, great music, games, and vendors from Dime Toss owned by Jonathan Hamrick, to printing caps by Michael Tincher, face painting, a car show, s’mores, and more.
Enjoy some gospel music with Ben Anderson from Ronceverte beginning at 1 p.m. to open the afternoon festivities. Ben has been singing in churches from a youthful age and has entertained many with his vocals that you cannot miss.
Saturday’s music will have the dynamic sounds of Mudhole Control beginning at 2 p.m. This band has been around for a while and has some lively foot stamping music. Mudhole Control is an old time music band made up of members from Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties. Guitarist Jr Loudermilk, is well known for his work in old time and bluegrass music. He is joined by his cousins, Eric and Carl “Pudge” Spencer. Eric sings tenor and plays guitar while Pudge is featured with his great baritone voice. Jr’s brother, Jerry “Cannonball” Loudermilk plays bass, and newest members, Steven Castro and Benjamin Davis, play banjo and fiddle. Mudhole Control’s music takes the audience back to a simpler time that pleases the ear and heart of the listener.
A Food Auction begins at 3:30 p.m., which includes many of the area ladies and gentlemen’s best baked goods, casseroles, and more to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. There will be a silent auction on prizes also that you will not want to miss!
Fire dancers from the great state of Ohio will be returning this year with Boo and Firefly, the fire does fly with these two around. Their dance routines are wonderful and such a fun thing to watch.
Country music begins again at 5:30 p.m. with Caden Glover from Union showing off his skills as a guitar player and singer, if you enjoyed him at the Ronceverte River Festival come on out and listen or dance to his tunes. Caden grew up in Union, WV, surrounded by old timers and old music. He learned to play bluegrass banjo at an early age. Eventually he would grow to love southern rock, blues, country, and folk music with big inspirations such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doc Watson, The Allman Brothers, and many more! These inspirations molded his voice to what it is today! His knowledge and playability of music is a wide variety of all genres! Caden has put out a single “Appalachian Skyline” which tells a true Appalachian story and has done great across all streaming platforms. He has been featured on “Norans Rare Guitars” in L.A., with over 300,000 views across social media platforms. Caden tried out for the show American Idol where he received 3 yeses and a golden ticket from Lional Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. Caden was featured on Radio WV which gained almost 500,000 views across social medians. He also has released his EP “The Cabin Session.” Caden is now an up-and-coming artist based in southern West Virginia.
At intermission the drawing for our gun raffle will take place, you do not have to be present to win, but if you are you can pick up your winnings.
Then at 7:30 p.m. is more country music by the one and only Thomas Taylor Band featuring Thomas Taylor with lead vocals/guitar, Don Drummer on pedal drum/steel guitar, Butch White on drums, Jerry Wood on fiddle, Bill Clapman on piano, Alan Copenhaver on lead guitar/sax, and Marty Wells on bass. The Thomas Taylor Band has an amazing traditional country and western swing sound. His songs are heard though out the state, and they are a great dance band with music you can sing along with that we know and love.
Food will be served from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m., which includes our very own smoked BBQ by Chis Winfrey, homemade coleslaw, nachos with cheese/jalapenos/black olives, hot dogs with all the fixings, and more. All are sure to please.
This is a major fundraiser for the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department with all proceeds going to the department for repairs of engines and upkeep of the firehouse. The festival is held behind the Fire Department at 6571 Shoestring Trail, Williamsburg, WV. 24991.
For more information you can go to williamsburgwv.com or call Festival Chairman Shirley Winfrey 304-667-8041 or Assistant Chief Chris Winfrey 304-646-9278. We are looking forward to seeing you there on Sept. 6 starting 5:30 p.m. and Sept. 7 at 2 .pm.