Dirt Days fest to showcase Williamson as off-road hub

More than 300 miles of trail extend into the mountains from Williamson, West Virginia, host of this weekend's inaugural Dirt Day Festival, which proponents expect to become one of the nation's chief off-road extravaganzas.

Sponsored by the Tug Valley Area Convention and Visitor Bureau, the April 26-28 festival aims to showcase some of the best ATV, side-by-side, and dirt bike trails in North America, according to Wes Wilson, executive director for the bureau.

Wilson is encouraging businesses in the Tug Valley to showcase their hospitality with regard to off-road travel.

Since the first state-sanctioned ATV trails opened in the region, Williamson has become a focus for off-road adventures, and the valley residents have become known for their warmth and neighborliness.

"This is a great opportunity for our community to show just how 'trail-rider friendly' we are now and that the culture is evolving," Wilson said.

Three trail systems—all part of the massive Hatfield-McCoy Trails system—connect at Williamson and extend into the mountains of southwestern West Virginia.

Dirt Days highlights include —

• Street Fair on Second Avenue from 2-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday
• Poker Night at 201 East Second Avenue Friday
• Mud Pit behind Sazon Restaurant from noon until 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m Saturday
• Car/Bike Show on Second Avenue Saturday
• Poker Run Saturday at a time yet to be set
• Tug-of-War at the Mud Pit at approximately 4 p.m. behind Sazon Restaurant
• Parade at 5 p.m. Saturday
• Musical Entertainment 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Fireworks at 9 p.m. Saturday

Wilson says visitors who plan to ride their off-road machines at Dirt Days are encouraged to pre-register for the event online at Eventbrite.com.

Pre-registration will provide participants a weekend trail pass and an event arm band necessary to gain motorized entry to the mud pit.

Other pre-registration perks include three $5 food vouchers, an official Dirt Days t-shirt, an official Dirt Days decal, and official Hatfield-McCoys Trails map, a full sponsorship list, an event brochure, and various goodies from event sponsors. Vehicle registration is $50 per person.

The Tug Valley Area CVB welcomes and encourages local businesses/vendors to participate in Dirt Days. An online vendor/sponsorship application can be found at: tinyurl.com/dirtdayswv

The Tug Valley Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau promotes local events that take place in Mingo County, West Virginia and neighboring areas of Pike County, Kentucky.

Thursday, April 25

• All-Day (Dawn-to-Dusk): Hatfield-McCoy Trails are OPEN for Riders. More than 300 miles of trail!
• Noon-4:30 p.m.: Pre-registered attendees may pick-up Goodie Bags at the Coal House (Downtown Williamson)

Friday April 26

• All-Day (Dawn-to-Dusk): Hatfield-McCoy Trails are OPEN for Riders. More than 300 miles of trail!
• All-Day: Pre-registered attendees may pick-up Goodie Bags at the Coal House (Downtown Williamson)
• 10 a.m.: Trail 10 House “Dirt Days Tours” (Departs from Parking Lot at 126 West 2nd Avenue, Williamson; $10 Per Vehicle)
• 2 p.m.: Trail 10 House “Dirt Days Tours” (Departs from Parking Lot at 126 West 2nd Avenue, Williamson; $10 Per Vehicle)
• 2-10 p.m.: Vendors will be Open (Along 2nd Avenue Downtown Williamson)
• 2-8 p.m.: Mud Pit will be open behind Sazon Mexican Restaurant
• 6:30 p.m.: Daniel Allen, Glen Simpson, Alex Blankenship, Bill Dotson (Live at Smokin’ Pit BBQ, Pike Street)
• 7:30-9 p.m.: Poker Night at the Special Events Party & Event Room (Pike Street, Downtown; $10 Buy-In gets $100 in Chips)

Saturday April 27

• All-Day (Dawn-to-Dusk): Hatfield-McCoy Trails are OPEN for Riders. More than 300 miles of trail!
• All Day: Pre-registered Attendees may pick-up Goodie Bags at the Coal House (Downtown Williamson)
• 10 a.m-10 p.m.: Vendors will be open (Along 2nd Avenue in Downtown Williamson)
• 10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Mud Pit will be open (Behind Sazon Mexican Restaurant)
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Car/Bike Show (Along 2nd Avenue in Downtown Williamson)
• 10 a.m.: Trail 10 House “Dirt Days Tours” (Departs from Parking Lot at 126 West 2nd Avenue, Williamson; $10 Per Vehicle)
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Poker Run on Buffalo Mountain Trails (Must be at Starters Sports Bar & Grill by 6 p.m. for your final card)
• 2 p.m.: Trail 10 House “Dirt Days Tours” (Departs from Parking Lot at 126 West 2nd Avenue, Williamson; $10 Per Vehicle)
• 3 p.m.: Dirt Days Rally Ride (Street Bikes will depart from Mountain State Harley Davidson, arrive in Williamson for Parade)
• 4 p.m.: Human Tug of War at the Mud Pit (Behind Sazon Mexican Restaurant, Downtown Williamson)
• 5 p.m.: Dirt Days Parade (Line Up will occur at 4:30 p.m. at Sazon Mexican Restaurant/Wilson EyeCare, Williamson)
• 7-8:30 p.m.: Bill Dotson (Live on the Dirt Days Stage, Court Street Downtown Williamson)
• 8:30-9:30 p.m.: High Incident Project (Live on the Dirt Days Stage, Court Street Downtown Williamson)
• 9-1 a.m.: Bedford Band (Live at Starters Sports Bar & Grill; Intermission at 9:30 p.m. for Fireworks)
• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks (Best viewed from 1st Avenue in Downtown Williamson)

Sunday April 28th

All-Day (Dawn-to-Dusk): Hatfield McCoy Trails are OPEN for Riders. More than 300 miles of trail!