McCoy’s Grand will kick off celebrations for West Virginia Day with an evening of music, food, and community while also unveiling a new outdoor performance and gathering space and honoring one of the theater’s most beloved supporters.
The free event, “A Bluegrass Salute to America & WV,” will take place Fri., June 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in McCoy’s Grand’s newly completed Courtyard Plaza and Gardens. The celebration will feature performances by Keplinger Bluegrass and The Mullins Pickers, along with complimentary refreshments and family activities.
The event celebrates both West Virginia Day and the nationwide America 250 commemoration while showcasing a significant addition to the historic theater’s space.
Free hot dogs, pepperoni rolls, lemonade and other refreshments will be offered throughout the evening. Families and children will also have an opportunity to participate in a free “Help Yourself to History” book giveaway presented by WordPlay Connects.
The event will serve as one of the first major public celebrations in the theater’s new Courtyard Plaza and Gardens, a project designed to expand opportunities for live music, community gatherings, and arts programming in downtown Moorefield.
The garden was designed by Master Gardener Wanda Gerard, who said the intended use of the area guided every aspect of the planning process.
“Any garden installation should be done with what the space will be used for,” Gerard said. “Examples are a seating or entertainment area, the intended audience, the amount of time you have to care for the garden properly, and obviously, the amount of money you are limited to.” She said the McCoy’s project was planned so visitors could “simply enjoy its beauty while experiencing local music or other talent” in the courtyard.
Gerard said the garden was also designed to provide visual interest throughout the year through a mix of color, foliage and unique plantings.
“It may take a few seasons to conquer this, but gardeners love to experiment when choosing perfect plants for those special places,” she said.
The Courtyard Plaza and Gardens create a new venue for outdoor performances while complementing the historic theater’s ongoing revitalization efforts as it approaches its centennial celebration in 2027.
In many ways, the new plaza reflects the community-building spirit that has long defined McCoy’s Grand. Designed as a place where people can gather, enjoy local talent and share time together, the space will now include a permanent tribute to one of the volunteers who spent decades helping create those same connections inside the theater.
Betty’s Bar, a new outdoor gathering space named in memory of longtime McCoy’s Grand volunteer, director, actor, mentor and board member Betty Stickley will officially be unveiled and opened.
For many in Hardy County, Stickley was best known as a beloved Moorefield teacher, a role she filled for 35 years. At McCoy’s Grand, she was equally recognized for her tireless commitment to community theater. Over the years, she directed, acted in and mentored participants in more than 20 productions, helping shape generations of local performers and volunteers.
Her influence extended far beyond the stage.
Those who worked alongside Stickley remember her as a driving force behind many of the theater’s productions and programs. Whether directing shows, mentoring young performers, volunteering behind the scenes or helping guide the organization as a board member, she played a central role in McCoy’s growth and success. Her passing several years ago left a void still felt by many throughout the theater community.
The dedication of Betty’s Bar will provide a lasting reminder of those contributions.
“Her love for and dedication to McCoy’s Grand was evident to all who knew her,” said Mark Stickley, Betty’s husband and a current member of the theater’s board of directors.
“It gave her such joy to provide entertainment to the community and a place for local artists to showcase their craft and form their theater families.”
For the Stickley family, the dedication ensures that Betty’s impact on the theater she loved will remain part of McCoy’s future.
“Now there’s a place where people can gather around to be entertained and maybe share a few stories about Betty at a bar that bears her name,” Stickley said. “Her family is so very grateful.”
As bluegrass music fills the new courtyard, organizers hope the evening will celebrate not only the state’s heritage and McCoy’s continued growth, but also the people whose dedication helped make both possible.
The free event is made possible in part through support from the Hardy County 250th America Celebration Committee.
Free outdoor concerts will continue all summer as part of McCoy’s Summer Concerts Under the Stars series, beginning July 11. For more information, visit www.mccoysgrand.org
