Weekend Wows and Woes

Let us get down to business. As advertised the weekend is shaping fine for late summer fairs, festivals and picnics. Meanwhile, the tropics are percolating as a storm named Fay looks to play havoc with mortal forecasters like yours truly.

THE WOWS

The County Fair season is winding down with stops in Pomeroy and Coalton soon to come to an end. My First at Five story on Friday focused on the thriving 4H program in Boyd County. Since the grounds were dusty when I was out there on Tuesday, and little rain has made it to the fairgrounds since, it makes sense that your car will turn a bit crusty as you enter and leave the fair.

Especially on Saturday night, I recommend a light jacket for the kids as the temperature will fall both Friday and Saturday evenings into the 60s by 10 PM. Comfy for sure, but maybe just a tad cool for the young kids.

Friday night spotlights the 4H Horse Show at 6 in the show ring and a genuine Western style Rodeo starting at 8 in the grandstand area.

The Saturday marquee includes the Livestock Auction and Sale at 3, a night of Bluegrass Music and the ever popular Demolition Derby at 8.

Here’s the website for the complete fair schedule.

http://www.boydcountyfair.com.

At the Meigs County Fair near Pomeroy, the air will be 3 degrees cooler the next 2 nights as compared to Coalton. That means perfect weather to walk the midday with your sweetheart. Warm sunshine by day with highs near 80 and cool moonlight at night are in the cards.

Friday night is Gospel Music night on the main stage with Kelly Perry in concert. The Big Truck Pull will entertain the kids in the grandstand area.

Saturday, extension agent Hal Kean will lead the all day Livestock Market Sale. Starts at 10, and Hal says bring your checkbook for the kids!

Fasten your seat belts for the night time action with Mud Volleyball (no word if Misty May and Kerry Walsh are flying in from Beijing to play), the Tough Truck Competition and a night of Karaoke with Kip.

At the WV State Fair in Fairlea, there is a slight risk of a Saturday shower though plenty of sun will coax afternoon highs to 77.

In Huntington, the last Picnic with the Pops concert of the season is Saturday night with a Sports music theme. The Huntington Syphmony Orchestra will serenade the sports world with tunes that we grew up . Dare I predict such favorites as the Olympic theme will fill the Harris Riverfront Park ampitheatre.

I am suggesting a light jacket for the grand finale when temperatures fall into the cozy 60s.

THE WOES

One of my favorite silly expressions in life is...Woe is me. A metaphor for a bad break, meteorologists in America are scratching their heads this Friday evening in trying to pinpoint where Fay is heading and how strong she will get. Woe is any meteorologist who dares to put his or her repuation on the line too soon. My mentor, Dr. John Cahir would say let the storm show her first major move before jumping on the stump. That move won't happen until Saturday when Fay passes Hispaniola and decides if Cuba or the Bahamas are to be put in her crosshairs.

Fay was christened a bouncing baby Tropical Storm at 5 PM, some 18 hours later than Chris Bailey and I thought that designation should have been bestowed. No biggee for us, but for South Floridians that moniker might have been more helpful in preparing for what may well be a hurricane strike by early next week.

I will spare you the...this model says this, and the mountains of Hispaniola will do that... meteorological jargon. Basically, people from Key West to Miami to Tampa should be preparing for a hurricane threat by Monday and interests in the Eastern Gulf should stay tuned.

If you heading to Myrtle Beach (or any South Carolina beach), go ahead with your plans, the weather ahead of a Tropical Storm like this is known for hot tropical breezes and a dazzling afternoon sky, true pina colada weather! The surf is likely to chop up by Tuesday or Wednesday at the Grand Strand as southeast winds blow steadily onshore. There are some indications of some late week tropical showers reaching the Myrtle boardwalk, but only time will tell on that possibility.

Here is the link to the hurricane centerhich you will find invaluable

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

and don't forget Chris Bailey's blog here at WSAZ.COM. Chris is a computer whiz and offers you all sorts of hurricane pictures to enhance your hurricane tracking fun.