Dave’s Drive-Through Weekend

Hi I’m Dave Lavender from The Herald-Dispatch and here’s Dave’s Drive-Through Weekend in 60 seconds or less and starting now...

From Camden Park and outdoor movies to awesome adventures at area state parks, everyone’s rolling outside for fun.

Here’s a look at just a few ways people are taking the party outside this weekend.

Party on the Patio — Chillbilly Soul Style

The weather is here, the gazebo is beautiful and Heritage Station is getting this outdoor music party started. Roll out at 7 Friday for Party on the Patio and enjoy some homegrown chillbilly soul music from Mystic Mountain Blueberry.

They’ll be full concessions including beer wine and the shops at Heritage Station will be open late for the free concert series.

Let’s Eat will stay open late, offering their full menu for party patrons. Several other shops will remain open to showcase their goods to Heritage Station visitors.

Thanks to First Sentry Bank and The Cabell Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau, this is a free concert event organized by the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District.

Ice cold beer & wine and frosty Coca-Cola products will be available while you enjoy the great music and party atmosphere of the Mystic Mountain Blueberry Band and their favorite DJ on stage at Heritage Station.

Art In the Park

Under Ritter Park’s towering oak trees, the Tri-State Arts Association's sets up its easels a plenty with "Art in the Park.”

Showcasing a wide variety of the region’s working artists, Art in the Park runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Rain dates are May 25-26. Enjoy meeting the artists that work in all mediums who show and sell their original works. Barbara Deligatti is chairman of the event and can be reached by emailing barbiedell53@hotmail

Power Up for Some Pedaling

Spring is in its full glory and you can take the grand tour on bicycle as Huntington’s Critical Mass group gets ready for its free, monthly community bike ride that meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Friday near the Ritter Park fountain.

Come out and enjoy this always-fun and casual six-mile loop trip ride ‘round the city.

Started in San Francisco in 1992, Critical Mass made its way to Huntington in July 2009 thanks to former DJ and bicycle commuter Jesse Clark, who’d ridden in the Critical Masses in Brooklyn and Manhattan when he lived in New York City.

Now organized by bicycle commuter Joel Mullins, Critical Mass is a celebration of alternate forms of transportation and their right to be on the road just as much as the motorized ones. The only reason you need to come is a desire to ride on the streets your taxes go toward to pave with the vehicle of your choice.

Check out Huntington Critical Mass’ Facebook page for more info.

Head East to the Charlie West Blues Fest

Head over to Charleston Friday and Saturday as the Charlie West Blues Fest boils up the blues down by the riverside at Haddad Riverfront Park.

The free fest rolls at 5:30 Friday, and at noon Saturday at the park.

Returning to the stage is red-hot guitarist Ana Popovic, who headlines Friday and Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds on Saturday when music rolls noon to 11 p.m.

Other bands include Davina and the Vagabonds, Tinsley Ellis, Mud Morganfield, Kristine Jackson, Grand Marquis Band, Southern Hospitality, Bryan Lee & The Power Blues Band and Mojo Theory, just to name a few.

Visit www.charliewestbluesfest.com for more info, special VIP packages and on how to volunteer.

Kids Start Your Reeling - Lake Vesuvius Fishing Derby

Kids start your reeling as Lake Vesuvius, just north of Ironton, is hosting a kids fishing derby on Saturday. Registration starts at 8:30 and the Derby runs from 9:30 to 12:30.

In partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Izaak Walton League of America, and Lawrence County Bass Club, the Forest is hosting the Vesuvius Kids Fishing Derby. Kids and youth, ages 4 to 15, accompanied by a parent or guardian, are invited to come out to the lake’s boardwalk with their fishing poles, tackle boxes and bait to take part in a free fishing derby.

Derby registration will occur from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp, with the fishing competition beginning around 9:30 a.m. Derby winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m. In addition to the fishing competition, the day will feature educational activities, fun contests, and hot dogs and beverages.

If possible, participants should bring their own fishing pole, bucket, bait, and chairs, but some poles and bait will be available for children who do not have their own. All who attend are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, including bringing a hat and sunscreen.

For additional safety of Derby attendees and participants, the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp will be closed during the event, but is anticipated to re-open by 2 p.m.

Call 740-534-6500.

Joan Jumps With Elite’s ‘Best of Broadway’

Elite Performance Academy is turning 10 and they’re celebrating in style as they’re presenting their 10th anniversary artistic revue, “Elite’s Best of Broadway,” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.

Enjoy choreography and songs from more than 25 of Broadway’s most famous shows from “Wicked,” to “Chicago,” and “The Lion King,” done up by more than 30 students from Elite's Junior, Teen and Senior Dance Company including two of Elite's Senior Dance Company members Zoey Stull and Cadyn Turley.

Special vocal guests include Mandy Bohm, vocal instructor at Elite, and area native Chris Sizemore, a professional actor in D.C., and who was on the national tour of “Willy Wonka.”

Tickets are $16, and free for children two and under. Tickets are available 1 to 4 p.m. through Friday, May 17 at the box office and 90 minutes prior to each show.

For more information, call Elite Performance Academy at 304-697-8243.

Replica of Lincoln’s Coffin on Display

Sponsored by Henson and Kitchen Funeral Home, a replica of Abraham Lincoln’s coffin will be on display at the Cabell County Public Library, 455 9th St., from Monday, May 20 to Saturday, May 25.

The solid walnut, 6-foot-6-inch coffin is one of five replicas made 10 years ago by the Batesville Casket Company of Indiana. Four of the five coffin replicas travel the nation for display at funeral homes and the fifth remains as part of the permanent collection at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

The coffin will be on display during regular library hours 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

At 10 p.m., Saturday, May 18, a small parade of Civil War reenactors will carry the coffin and march it down from the Cabell County Courthouse to the library.

For more information, contact the library at 304-528-5739 or at Henson & Kitchen Family Funeral Home at 304-736-8986.

Dave Trippin:
My road trip pick this weekend is Cumberland, Ohio, just north of Marietta, where The Wilds kicks off its season with WildzFest that runs all day Saturday.

Now open daily through September (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - the last tour leaves at 4), The Wilds, located about 150 miles or so from Huntington and just off of I-77 north of Marietta, Ohio, kicks it up a notch this weekend.

Now associated with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, which is known of late for its Wild Zipline Safari, hosts Wildzfest presented by Pepsi with support from AEP.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, there will be entertainment, food, drinks, games, crafts and lots of other attractions including meet and greets with Zoo characters, TV cartoon character like Dora the Explorer and Diego, Puppet shows, and, of course, special animal presentations.

There’s also going to be interactive games as well as a bunch of education zone stations where the Education Department at the Wilds will do everything from race Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches to teaching folks about invasive species.

They’ll also be lots of local vendors and of course, The Wilds’ almost famous open air safari tours, zipline tours and more.

Those you should book in advance on such a busy weekend. Go online at www.thewilds.org

Follow the Dave Trippin’ adventures on Dave’s Facebook page as well as his Twitter account, @DaveLavenderHD.