SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On a picture perfect late summer evening with Jimmy Buffet tunes blasting from the stage, South Charleston kicked off its 15th Annual Summerfest Festival Wednesday night.
“We always have good weather. We ordered good weather; somehow it always works out for us,” said Mayor Frank Mullens. “It’s a great event. Every night we have great entertainment leading up to the fireworks show Saturday night at about 10 o’clock.”
Other than the food booths, everything at Summerfest is free of charge. Executive Director of the SC Convention Bureau Bob Anderson said it sets the festival apart.
“We’re giving away free snow cones, cotton candy and jupiter jumps for children all week long. No other city in the state does that,” Anderson said.
“The Esquires” played Jimmy Buffet songs on the stage in front of The Mound Wednesday night. Anderson said two Motown bands from North Carolina would also be featured later in the week.
Mullens was appreciative of the volunteers that make the event possible.
“Our city staff are the ones that set up and clean up. They’re the same guys that are working all day picking up your garbage and fixing your sidewalk. So they deserve a lot of credit along with our police and fire department,” Mullens said. “It’s a team effort. We have a great team in South Charleston come out and check it out.”
Summerfest runs through Saturday night’s fireworks show in South Charleston behind the Mound near D Street.