Labor Day Activities Include Patsy Cline Events

Labor Day Activities Include Patsy Cline Events

By: Star Traylor
The Winchester Star

An annual Labor Day weekend tradition in Winchester will continue this year.

Patsy Cline fans from near and far will celebrate Patsy Cline Weekend Friday through Sunday.

Judy Sue Huyett-Kempf, treasurer of Celebrating Patsy Cline, said three main events have been scheduled to celebrate the late country music star from Winchester this weekend.

Cline’s former husband, Charlie Dick, will make an appearance at the events, Huyett-Kempf said.

On Friday, a reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Travelodge with dinner, a silent auction, and musical entertainment by a West Virginia singer who will sing some of Cline’s songs.

The reception is open to the public. Tickets are $18 per person.

* Saturday, a luncheon for fan club members will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Travelodge.

* A memorial service for Cline will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday morning at her grave in Shenandoah Memorial Park on U.S. 522. It is open to the public.

* A picnic will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Berkeley Springs, W.Va. This is open to the public but those planning to attend must call the fan club at 535-1148.

After the Sunday memorial service, a pig roast will be held at the Troubador Lounge outside Berkeley Springs, W.Va., said J.D. Thompson, treasurer of the Always Patsy Cline Fan Club.

A goodbye breakfast will be held Monday morning at Golden Corral Family Steak House on U.S. 522. It will be open to the public, and each person will pay for their own breakfast.

It’s the 16th annual Patsy Cline Weekend. Huyett-Kempf said fewer events have been scheduled, and fewer people are expected to attend this year, partially because of the economy and cost of travel.

About 150 attended last year’s festivities, she said.

“These are the strong, strong Patsy fans,” Huyett-Kempf said, adding a big turnout would be welcome.

“This is a great time of year. The fans are so excited,” she said.

For information, contact the Always Patsy Cline Fan Club at 535-1148.

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Other area activities for Labor Day weekend are as follows:

* The Clarke County pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday, closing for the season after that. Matt Parsons, manager of the Recreation Center, said the center will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.

* The pool in Winchester’s Jim Barnett Park will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday before closing for the season.

* Public pools in Frederick County will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday before closing for the season. The pool at Sherando Park will reopen Sept. 6 for a teen battle of the bands from 6 to 10 p.m. Area bands will compete for cash prizes. Admission is $5. For information, call 665-5678.

* The Winchester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will stage its last seasonal “open caboose” event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Clearbrook Park. An interior tour will be given of the famous car which served the Baltimore & Ohio and Winchester & Western railroads’ freight trains.

There will be exhibitions of photos and relics used by railroad men in performance of their duties as well as sounds of locomotives and railroad music. Adults and children accompanied by an adult are welcome. Admission is free, but donations for the car’s upkeep are welcome.

Originally Published In The Winchester Star On August 26, 2003