HINTON, (Hinton News) – If you are looking for an eventful day trip, Second Saturdays is returning to Hinton with a kickoff event on May 13. On the second Saturday of each month, concerts and other events bring entertainment and fun to the area. The first event begins with a Military Appreciation Ride.
The ride honors the United States Military and the Combat Vets 37-2. Registration begins at noon on May 13 at CAN Outdoors beside Hinton Dairy Queen. The pre-registration entry is $15 per bike and gets the rider a t-shirt. Riders can add a passenger for an additional $5. On the day of the event, the fee is $20 per bike. To pre-register, send an email to cvmaride@gmail.com. The ride begins at 2 p.m.
After the ride concludes, food vendors and a concert will be available in Hinton between 5:30 and 9 p.m. Event organizers announced that the summer’s lineup is set for musical acts. The food vendors always set up in various locations around the stages. These areas often include the courthouse lawn, Hinton City Park, and along the street. The concerts are free to the public.
Additionally, various vendors set up on the Courthouse lawn beside the Memorial Building and the Veteran’s Memorial wall. A car show is another staple of the event.
The following month, Hinton’s Second Saturdays will hold the annual Color the River Float. Every year, residents and tourists alike gather at the launch point in Pence Springs and float down the Greenbrier River to the Talcott public river access.
Participants put in paddle boards, inner tubes, inflatable boats, kayaks and many other items. This event welcomes all ages. The only stipulation is that floaters under 18 must either be accompanied by an adult or a guardian must sign a release form. Life jackets are required on all vessels except inner tubes and for all persons 12 years old and under.
Color the River lasts for multiple hours. Most floaters are on the water for anywhere from three to four hours. A group of trained personnel from Talcott Fire Department stage at the take-out point to assist floaters. Additionally, other groups often lend a helping hand. In 2022, the Summers County Comprehensive High School Football Team assisted with the entry location. Go Duck Media provided footage of the float. Berry’s Campground offers a myriad of help, including rentals of rafts, tubes, and life jackets. The business also provides parking opportunities and shuttle services from Talcott to Pence Springs.
During the 2022 event, the following costs were applied to parking and rentals.
Parking – $5
Shuttle – $5 per person
Tube rental – $20
Single Duckie – $40
Double Duckie – $50
Four-man raft – $80
Life jackets – $5
*Prices may vary in 2023.
After the float, the usual food vendor set-ups and live music will begin in Hinton.
The musical acts have not been announced at the time of writing. To keep up with Second Saturdays and all of the announcements, follow the Hinton 2nd Saturdays Facebook page. Be cautious when searching for this organization on social media. A previous page titled Second Saturdays in Hinton experienced hacking in 2022, causing organizers to set up a new page.
