Barefoot Festival to debut in Lovely
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WARFIELD — Blake Moss with the Big Sandy Area Development District announced in the Warfield City Commission meeting that he is working on a $19.8 million Community Change Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop the Tug River in Martin and Pike counties.
The project would include 10 boat ramps for first responders and recreation, resilience hubs in both South Williamson and Warfield Park, removal of the low water bridge at Calf Creek, and rehab of a low-head dam in South Williamson, among other developments.
“We will be building two resilience hubs that will also function as community centers,” he said. “One in South Williamson will serve as Friends of the Tug Fork headquarters. And the plan is to build one at the Warfield Park.”
He emphasized that Big Sandy ADD is applying for the grant.
“It will be a very competitive process, and even if we get the money we may have to change things,” said Moss. “None of this is set in stone, but these are the plans and this is what I am applying for.”
The community center would be a 17,500-foot facility equipped with computer labs, a mobile communications system, a kitchen area, locker rooms and space for emergency sheltering where about 100 people could sleep.
“Another thing we are including in this grant is physical security,” added Moss.
The boat ramp in Warfield would have a budget of $325,000.
“All of us know it won’t cost that much to repair the boat ramp, so we’re going to find some flexible ways to spend that money.”
Potential use of the extra money around the boat ramp includes a stage
The grant would also address the removal of the low water bridge at the mouth of Calf Creek and a low-head dam in South Williamson.
It would help the Friends of the Tug Fork River set up a tire recycling program.
“That’s what this grant is based on. It’s going to help the Friends of the Tug Fork River make the Tug Fork tire-free,” Moss stated, adding that he has been working on the grant for several months and has attended nearly 50 meetings.
Watershed studies are currently underway that will make the Tug eligible for funding to improve water quality.
“This area needs this,” Commissioner John Sammons said. “You could do wonders with that kind of money.”
Mayor Mike Hinkle admitted, “Warfield has nothing.”
Moss responded by saying, “Hopefully, this will change that.”
Referring to the low water bridge, he added, “There’s nowhere else in the country that a bridge would sit in the river for 35 years.”
The CCG program is part of the EPA’s Justice40 Initiative and is the largest federal investment in environmental and climate justice history.
Moss’s grant deadline is Nov. 21.
Barefoot Festival
In other business, Warfield welcomed Benjamin York of Renew Appalachia, who extended an open invitation to the upcoming Barefoot Festival, scheduled for Nov. 1-2 on a reclaimed mountaintop removal site on Wolf Creek in Lovely.
“It’s free to the public,” York said.
He expressed his hopes that the festival would be a boost for the Warfield “side of the hill.”
“If I’m honest, this is my home and I want to see things come back here,” said York. “I remember the festivals we used to have when I was a kid, and I want to bring that spirit back.”
The Barefoot Festival will feature live music, horse performances, food and craft vendors, lawn games, shaded areas and restroom facilities. Tent camping spots will also be available.
The musical lineup includes a variety of performers, such as Kill Devil Hillbillies, Nathan Coots and The Coyotes, Phill Barnett, Janean Freeman, Ethan Allen, Jaden Wright, Pierceton Hobbs, John Haywood, Andy Millikien, Adalyn Ramey, Ditch Lillies, and James Webb & Friends.
Since the venue is a reclaimed strip mine and the access road is a maintained dirt road, four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended. However, parking and shuttle service will be provided at the base of the hill for those without suitable transportation.
“We’re hoping to revitalize this area and make better use of the mine sites, turning them into something more than just unused land,” York said.
The commissioners voiced their support for the event.
“I hope it’s a big success,” Sammons said.
For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook event page, “Barefoot Festival.”