Changes Forthcoming to Park's 'J4' Celebration In 2019

The Board of Directors at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, Martinsburg, would like to invite community members to its next regularly scheduled meeting, which will occur at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4, in the Kenneth and Gladys Weaver Banquet Hall.

The purpose of this special public notification is due to the fact that park officials have recently been notified that Bartlebaugh Amusements will not be able to provide ride attractions at this summer's annual July 4th celebration. The company out of Madisonburg has been offering concessions and rides at the park for more than 50 years. Bartlebaugh's have informed the park's director, Chuck Gojmerac, that they can make thousands more of dollars at another event the same week.

"I understand their business decision to conduct operations that will benefit their bottom line," Gojmerac said, "but I am just very disappointed that they will be turning their backs on a tradition here in the Cove and not honor the continuation of the agreement that we have conducted for many, many years".

Gojmerac has already reached out to all the licensed ride operators in the state.

"Everyone who responded back to my request is already booked for the July 4th week," Gojmerac said. "Most often these bookings take place a good year in advance."

Bartlebaugh's did offer rides for the week of July 8, if the park would move the annual celebration back a week. The board discussed the offer and in the end determined it was more important to the community to have the celebration without rides during the week of July 4 then to have it a week later with rides.

"We are aware that the July 4th celebration is a tradition here in the Cove. Martinsburg Community Yard Sales the Saturday before the week, agricultural parade on the Tuesday of J4 week and fireworks on the evening of the third are some traditions that might need modified if we moved the dates of our festival," Gojmerac said. "Too many community members treat this like a homecoming celebration for family and friends who have moved away. Our core commitment is to our community."

In place of rides for 2019, the board is planning other nightly activities to draw crowds to the festival. This is where the board is asking for community support about what activities and events would be of interest.

"The board is anxious to hear your thoughts and ideas to make the celebration even bigger and better," Gojmerac said.