By Charles Owens
For Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Princeton — The Mercer County Commission is backing several upcoming entertainment events for the region.
The commission approved $5,000 in funding Tuesday for the Mercer County Fair, and $10,000 for the upcoming season of the Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton.
Candace Wilson, manager of the Chuck Mathena Center, asked the commission for $10,000 to support productions for the 2026-2027 performing arts season at the Princeton-based facility.
Wilson said a number of key shows are coming to the Chuck Mathena Center, including “Dolly Parton’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Carol” as well as the three- day Inspire National Dance competition. Wilson said the dance competition will pack area hotels and motels during the three-day event set for April 30 through May 2.
Wilson said getting Dolly Parton’s Christmas Show to Princeton also was a major undertaking.
“We actually have to hire 70 people for that show to work,” Wilson said of the Smokey Mountain Christmas Carol. “So we are partnering with McTech and Concord’s Theater Department.”
“I know last year we did have them sacrifice a little bit. We gave them $5,000 last year. It sounds like the docket is a little bit more strong and larger talent that is coming into the area, and especially the utilization of the local high school and college kids. I love that concept. We’ve got to get our youth more engaged in local programs.” — Mercer County Commissioner Brian Blankenship on funding support for the Chuck Mathena Center.
Brian Blankenship, a member of the county commission, applauded Wilson and the Chuck Mathena Center for making use of area high school and college students for the upcoming theatrical productions.
“I know last year we did have them sacrifice a little bit,” Blankenship said. “We gave them $5,000 last year. It sounds like the docket is a little bit more strong and larger talent that is coming into the area, and especially the utilization of the local high school and college kids. I love that concept. We’ve got to get our youth more engaged in local programs.”
The motion to approve the $10,000 donation to the CMC was approved unanimously by the commission.
Steve Johnston, president of the Mercer County Fair Association, asked the commission for $5,000 to help fund the various musical performances during the two-day fair, which begins on Friday, July 31 and continues on Saturday, August 1, on the grounds of PikeView High School. It will feature food, agriculture, animals, livestock exhibits, interactive displays, vendors, crafts, professional wrestling, a dog show, a youth rodeo and more.
Johnston said a full slate of activities are scheduled for both days of the fair.
“I think all of the total costs on it was over $6,000 for the entertainment,” Johnston said. “Plus we have to provide some snacks and refreshments. We have a good line-up for the rest of the fair too.”
“How well attended is it? Can you just let the audience know and the media know how well attended it is with our Mercer County residents and possibly from outside that comes and attends our fair,” Blankenship asked Johnston.
“Like I said they come from all over,” Johnston said. “The West Virginia high school rodeo brings a big crowd. We probably have four or five thousand people for the weekend there. We generally have good attendance.”
Blankenship said the fair also attracts people from outside of Mercer County, which is new revenue coming into the county during the two-day event.
“It takes a lot of individuals volunteering their time and effort and we really appreciate you and the board and everyone who makes it such a great success,” Blankenship said of the county fair.
The fair will open on Friday, July 31, with a breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by exhibit judging from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; kid games at noon; inflatables from noon to 5 p.m.; the exhibit hall will be opened from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; a premier wrestling league show will be held at 5 p.m.; and a high school rodeo will follow at 7 p.m.
Live music on Friday will include the Buckeye Creek Band at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and Else’s Mom at 7:15 p.m.
Then on Saturday, August 1, breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the exhibit hall will be opened from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; inflatables will be available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; a gamefowl chicken show will be held at 9 a.m.; a dog show will be held at 10 a.m.; corn hole games will start at noon; power wheels racing will be held at 3 p.m; a high school rodeo will be held at 6 p.m.; rabbit judging will be held at 7 p.m.; and various musical performances will be held throughout the day.
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