WELLSBURG - Past and present residents of Wellsburg's 1st Ward and their families and friends are invited to a three-day reunion this weekend that will include a cookout, live entertainment and games for all ages at the E.R. Nichols Park on Fourth Street.
The second E.R. Nichols Park 1st Ward Reunion will begin at 6 p.m. Friday with a wiener roast, music by Early Warning and later, a mix of karaoke and records spun by Jojo's Jukebox.
They will continue Saturday beginning at noon with music by Russ Buchanan, the Buffington Brothers and the Jones Brothers, with a cookout at 6 p.m.
Article Photos
COMMUNITY REUNION PLANNED — Past and present residents of Wellsburg’s 1st Ward and their family and friends are invited to a reunion this weekend at the E.R. Nichols Park. Among those planning the event, which is in its second year, are, from left, Katherina Oliver, Jerry Nichols and Judith Aracich. Brenda Nichols and Marsha Virden Allen also are members of the planning committee. -- Warren Scott
Attendees are welcome to bring covered dishes.
A community worship service is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday at the park.
Volleyball, horseshoes and picnic-style games are planned for all three days.
Admission is $10 per person, with families of four paying $30 and $10 for each additional child and children under 6 admitted free.
The reunion committee also will be selling T-shirts commemorating the event during the weekend and afterward.
First Ward resident Jerry Nichols, who is heading the small group of organizers, said last year's event was a great success, drawing former residents from as far as California, Florida and North Carolina.
"You got to see people you haven't seen in years," he said, noting the group has been using Facebook to spread word to former residents who live away.
Nichols said the event was planned close to the city's weeklong Independence Day celebration because it's a time when many former residents return to the city.
The group plans to enter a float in the city's Independence Day parade at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Besides being suited for an outdoor celebration, the park has a sentimental value to Nichols, who is the grandson of E.R. "Dick" Nichols, the city's first black councilman and an advocate for recreational activities for the city's children.
Nichols is encouraging attendees to bring photos from the neighborhood and city's past to show during the reunion.
Joining him in planning the event are his wife, Brenda; Katherina Oliver, Judith Aracich and Marsha Virden Allen.
Nichols said key to making the event possible this year were the following major sponsors: Dan and Pam Dudley, who are supplying all of the food for Friday; attorney Michael Gaudio, Campbell Pet Grooming, Faith Shaffer-Ferrell, Dick Aracich, Judith Aracich, Hone and Son Trucking, which is providing the stage; and Jimmy Underwood, who is supplying a truck for the float.
Fellow reunion planners said Nichols is very enthusiastic about the event, looking forward to this year's soon after last's ended.
But Nichols said he may wait a few years before holding the next one so that more organizers can be recruited.
For information about the reunion, call Nichols at (304) 737-1620 or Marsha Virden Allen at (304) 277-9954.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)
