Two Virginia’s 5K challenge kicks off Battle of the Bluefields activities
· Yahoo Sports
BLUEFIELD — The big gridiron showdown between Bluefield High School and Graham High School is set for next Friday, and a full week of pre-game activities begin Saturday with the Two Virginias 5K challenge.
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As the first pre-game event associated with the Battle of the Bluefields, Saturday’s 5K will give area residents not only a chance to lace up their running shoes, but also an opportunity to see the special commemorative coin that has been created to commemorate the 100th meeting of the Bluefield Beavers and the Graham G-Men, according to Bluefield City Manager Cecil Marson.
“It’s a great 5K course, probably one of the fastest in the country,” Marson said of Saturday’s Two Virginia’s 5K Challenge. “So if you want to set your speed record, this is the course to do it on. It’s a really nice partnership with Bluefield, Va. and our parks and recreation team.”
Marson said Saturday’s 5K, which begins at 9 a.m., will start in the downtown area near the Chamber of Commerce offices, and then travel downhill before concluding in Bluefield, Va.
“It’s a great race,” Marson said. “I really like it.”
Marson said raffles are being sold for the commemorative coin, adding those raffles will be available Saturday as well, with proceeds to benefit the Special Needs Collaborative of Mercer County and Bluefield High School.
Marson said the next pre-game event will be the Little Big Game that is set for Tuesday, August 25, at 5:30 p.m. at Mitchell Stadium. It is for students ages 5 to 12 who will have a chance to place football at Mitchell Stadium with all of the stadium lights and music in use.
“It gives all our youth their first shot at the title for the big game,” Marson said, adding that the Little Big Game is for pee wee and middle school students.
Then on Wednesday, August 26, at 9 a.m. the Bluefield Golf Cup Tournament will begin at Fincastle in Bluefield, Va. with proceeds from that event benefiting both Bluefield High School and Graham High School.
“John O’Neal and those folks have done a great job helping us and appreciate all the participation,” Marson said. “That’s a big fund raiser we do for both high schools and all those proceeds go directly into Graham High and Bluefield High School. So we are all happy about that.”
Then on Thursday, August 27, the Legends of the Rivalry event will be held at 7 p.m. at the historic Granada Theater on Commerce Street in downtown Bluefield.
“Thursday you have the Meet the Beavers activities at the high school, and all that great stuff, and then we have a dinner that night at the Granada Theater with the football team where we speak to some of the local legends that played in the game and give them a good dinner before the game.”
A meet the G-Men rally will be held on Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. the new field at Graham High School, which will include a special introductions of the league G-Men and cheerleaders.
Bluefield High School also will hold a Meet the Beavers rally on Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. at Bluefield High School.
Then on Friday, August 28, at 9 a.m., tailgating is opened to those who have reserved their spots at the Mitchell Stadium parking lot. Marson said the majority of the tailgating spots have already been reserved, but he urged residents and returning alumni to check with the Bluefield Parks and Recreation Department to see what spots may remain for tailgating.
“There might be a couple,” Marson said of tailgating spots remaining. “Folks need to check with our parks and rec, but they go pretty quick. The crew will start next week getting all of the (tailgating) spots marked out early in the week, and we are doing a bunch of touch ups to Mitchell Stadium. I saw the guys out yesterday painting the curbs.”
The big game will follow Friday evening
“Just pray for good weather,” Marson said of the 7:30 p.m. kick-off.
The Bluefield Lemonade Festival will follow on Saturday, August 29, beginning at noon at city park.
The Lemonade Festival will include trolley rides, live music, vendors and food trucks, and free lemonade in addition to other activities.
Oliver Anthony is another new addition this year. The performance by Anthony will be held at 6 p.m. at Bowen Field. Anthony is a singer-songwriter who is known for such hits as “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
Contact Charles Owens at [email protected]