Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV
May 11, 2012
McDowell’s October Sky Festival moving to Raleigh County

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BECKLEY — A popular McDowell County fall festival is moving to Raleigh County.

The annual Rocket Boys/October Sky Festival, traditionally held on the first weekend of October each year in Coalwood is relocating in 2012 to Beckley, after reluctantly being canceled earlier this year by the all volunteer group who had presented the event in the past due to a lack of local able bodied volunteers, according to a press release issued Friday.

"We are thrilled that this great event that brings so much excitement and so many people to Southern West Virginia will continue with new blood", said Carol Dehaven of Coalwood, one of many local residents who had spearheaded the festival in the Rocket Boys hometown.

After the cancellation of the Rocket Boys/October Sky Festival was announced in February this year, Homer Hickam was approached by a group of concerned Raleigh County citizens to inquire to the possibility of bringing the festival to their city.

After weeks of conversations between the parties it was agreed that the 2012 Rocket Boys/October Sky Festival will be held in Beckley with many events taking place on the grounds of the Exhibition Coal Mine at the New River Park on October 5th-7th 2012.