Cass Days kick off Friday night at the state park in Pocahontas County.

Cass Days kick off a celebratory weekend at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park June 18^th and 19^th.   The fun starts at 5:30pm Friday night with music by local musician Ryan Krofcheck playing a blend of mountain music, blues and folks.  Then at 6:30pm, there will be a cakewalk with tickets a quarter a piece or 5 for a dollar.  Donations of cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods would be greatly appreciated.   Proceeds will benefit the Friends of Cass.

On Saturday the 19^th, the festivities begin with the Parade of Steam at the Cass train depot.  Those attending will have the opportunity to view five of the powerful, geared, steam locomotives as they move down the rails.  The Climax No. 9 and Shay Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 11 are all expected to be on display for the Parade of Steam.  They will be staging at the depot at 9am and the parade is expected to begin at 9:30am.

Parade of Steam – courtesy of Mountain Rail WV

From Noon to 4pm Saturday, there will be a power point presentation displaying more than 100 pictures of Cass and the history of the town. There will also be a display of the Cass Grade School and Green Bank High School yearbooks.

Pickin’ on the Porch of the Cass General store will be from 4 to 7pm Saturday, followed by a dance in the parking lot across from the depot from 7 to 9pm.  Bringing your own lawn chair is suggested if you just want to enjoy the music.  Concessions will be available.

At 8:30pm Saturday night, there will be a special night photography session at the Cass Shop with all five locomotives on display.  Admission to the night photography session is 50.00 and space is limited.  You may reserve your space here https://tinyurl.com/58mn66ek.

There are other events coming up in the Monongahela National Forest this month.

Monongahela National Forest staff and volunteers invite visitors to take a step back in time at a Pioneer Visit interpretive program. The programs will take place at the Sites Homestead near the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center each Saturday from 1 to 4pm through Labor Day. Experience life in the early 1800s with special programs featuring folk crafts, mountain music, and costumed interpreters. Pioneer Visit programs will take place rain or shine and begin the weekend of June 26^th.

The restored Sites Homestead is open to visitors each week Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Homestead will be open to visitors Friday through Sunday on Independence Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

Planned schedule of programs:

June 26, spinning with Enrica McMillon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

July 3, broom making with Gary Robinson, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July 10, white oak basketry with Judy VanGundy, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

July 17, old time music with Dave and Cindy Proudfoot, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

August 14, broom making with Gary Robinson, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

August 21, dulcimer jam with Louanna Moore, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

September 4, broom making with Gary Robinson, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This schedule is subject to change at any time. For more information, contact Alison Bailey at (304) 567-2827 x7212 or alison.bailey@usda.gov. Updates will be posted on the Forest’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF/.