Wade plans special events for people of all ages that provide opportunities for cultural enrichment. Some also function as fund raisers that help us continue our important work in the community. Check this page regularly for a list of events we are planning in the future, and then mark your calendar so you won't miss out on any of the action!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • DROP IN AND ROCK OUT CONCERT TOUR - Featuring skating legend Tim Byrnes, July 9 at 7 p.m. in Wade's gym. Admission is $5. Download our FLYER for more information.
  • BENEFIT AUCTION - Join us on July 26, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov.1, and Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. for a benefit auction featuring new items from America's #1 Shop-at-Home channel. There will be great deals, concessions, a 50/50 drawing, and lots of fun! And Wade benefits from a percentage of the gross sales!
  • SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICES - Join us at 6 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month for special guest speakers and worship leaders!



A FEW PAST EVENTS:

 

One of our first events was a community picnic to celebrate the purchase of the facility and introduce ourselves and our vision to our new neighbors. Over 100 children and adults stopped by the Wade Center for food, horse rides, games, tours of the building, and more. It was a great start for our effort.		  

 



Our next event was a vacation Bible School that served as a preliminary assessment of community support. We found the children were eager to participate. All enjoyed the combination of snacks with recreation, crafts, and Bible study. We also found adults were very willing to serve as volunteers.

 

 

We began a series of concerts to raise awareness for our vision and also raise funds for our renovation work. We brought the Christian pop group, NewSong, and Christian rap group, Grits, and filled the Recreation Department with fans. We also hosted the Christian rock band, Fusebox, at Wade.		 

 



Our dinner shows have served as great fundraisers so far. First, we brought in Christian comedians at the Elks Club. Later, a local group of theatre performers did a benefit show called "Rock of the Ages" at the Summit Theatre. It featured songs of the 50's, 60's, and 70's and sold out all three performances!

 

 

We took our message to the streets in Bluefield's Christmas parade. Our float was designed and decorated by children from the neighborhood and featured live music from our worship band. The float was honored with the "most unusual float" award... and a cash prize from the city too!		 

 



During the Christmas season, we received a special offering at our worship service to give the children of the community a present over their Christmas break from school -- a trip to the movies to see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Themes from the movie were later discussed in Day Camp.

 

 

During the year, we try to plan many events just so that children and teens can come together and have fun in a safe place and interact with caring adults. One of the most fun was our karaoke evening, which featured Brian's annual rendition of I've Got You, Babe and, as always, lots of free food!		 

 



Big sporting events provide the perfect opportunity to bring the community together, and what sporting event is bigger than the Super Bowl? On this particular night, about 70 adults and children came out to watch the game. And because the Steelers won, their biggest fan (Brian) had a great time!

 

 

Close to 40 adults took advantage of the opportunity to expand their horizons and learn a new dance style with our free ballroom dance lessons. They were supposed to lead up to a Valentine's Dinner Dance with a six-piece orchestra. Unfortunately, inclement weather caused cancellation of the dance.		 

 



Earlier this year, Wade offered a unique cooking school for people with diabetes and their family members. Dieticians volunteered their time to help students learn how to cut fat, sodium and sugar from your diet without cutting taste! We hope to offer additional health classes soon!

 

 

A capacity crowd filled the Wade Cafe when we welcomed Eric the Magician in early 2007. He taught some of the littlest audience members a trick or two. But his sense of humor made him a big hit with teens, adults and people of all ages. We hope to have him back soon for more great entertainment!		  

 



Valuable sports memorabilia were among the items donated for our first auction. Those who came packed into the Wade Cafe for a great dinner, followed by presentations from the children about Wade's program and an entertaining auction. Think fast, and stay tuned! The next auction is coming soon!

 

 

Some comedians think shows filled with profanity and off-color humor are funny. But not Ron McGehee! He has made a name for himself as a family-friendly comedian, even starring on NBC's "Last Comic Standing." He didn't disappoint at Wade either, leaving all our sides hurting from laughing so hard.		  

 



Former Marshall Coach Bob Pruett was among those who played in the first Friends of Coal Golf Classic. This event, held at Fincastle Country Club, raised $14,000 for the Wade Center. The day included a barbeque and lots of prizes, including a new car for a hole in one. Join us next year!

 

 

In fall of 2007, we offered helicopter rides over our beautiful mountains. Chandler Swope was the pilot and donated all the fuel and time so that every dollar could benefit Wade. In only two days, the schedule was booked solid, and we raised over $3,000 to help Wade continue its important work!		  

 



Our new AmeriCorps volunteer, Amanda Warren, is focusing on literacy. To help develop a library for Wade, she organized a family fall festival. Admission price to this fun event at Bluefield College was $5 or the donation of a book. There were games, contests and food at this great outdoor event!!

 

 

In 2008, we welcomed a community group to our stage as they performed a musical drama for Easter called "Bow The Knee." This production featured the most complex staging and lighting seen at the Wade Center yet, as well as a very large cast or talented local actors and singers. Many lives were changed!