As part of West Virginia Celebration 2000 on Point Mountain, Webster County, the Pioneer Family Reunion will be held on August 26-27 and will participate in a statewide celebration to develop a national awareness of the state and foster citizen participation by current and former residents. The Annual Pioneer Family Reunion is an informal gathering held annually on the 4th Sunday in August to commemorate the stalwart pioneer ancestors of the respective families and to provide the descendants an opportunity to renew acquaintances. West Virginia Celebration 2000 was proclaimed by Chairman Governor Cecil H. Underwood and is being co-chaired by the Senate President & Speaker of the House. West Virginia Celebration 2000 was initiated to allow communities and events to showcase their accomplishments and pride in what they have to offer. West Virginia has made tremendous progress in technological advancements, our schools, businesses, roads, rural health care, public safety system and our environment. Most importantly, however, we have retained the traditions of our pioneer ancestors and the quality of life that makes West Virginia so special. With this Annual Pioneer Reunion, people throughout the country can join together to celebrate our heritage. The reunion was formally organized in 1928, but meetings were not held during the war years of 1942, 1943, 1944, or 1945. This year's reunion will be th 68th reunion! Many meetings were held before the organized meeting in 1928. One, taking place in 1926, at which Adam Dolliver Hamrick, father of Mayme, Portia & Viola, Frank & Otha, suggested that there be a get-together of James Miller Hamrick's descendants. Some other families joining in on the celebration were Cogars, Chapmans, Gregorys, Dodrills, Millers, Mollohans, Rigglemans, Baughmans, Lynchs, Givens, Arthurs, Fowlers, McAvoys, Dyers, and others. These were all families living in Webster County in the 1800's and early 1900's. Events on Saturday, August 26th, will include tours of local cemeteries and a weiner roast at Baker's Island for folks to exchange & gather family history from each other. Bring your family history, pictures and any musical instruments you play. The family history gathering will be in the afternoon around 2:00 and then the cook-out will begin around 6:00. Sunday's events, beginning at 10:00 am, will bring everyone together at the Pioneer Family Park on Point Mountain for a "grand hall" picnic dinner in which all food will be put together on tables set out in the center of the park. Any and all families are welcomed to bring their foods and add to the dinner. Lisa Gregory, Chairman of the Reunion Committee, and her committee are planning a fun, activity-filled weekend for those attending. Bring your family members, food, lawn chairs, and let's make this 68th Annual Pioneer Family Reunion on Point Mountain 2000 a great success! If you would like more specific info about the events or if you are planning on attending, please let me know....and spread the word! Hope to meet you there, Lisa Gregory ****************************************************************** L. Gregory - wvgregory@erols.com Braxton County WVGenWeb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvbraxto/index.html Gregory Genealogy and Robinson Roots - http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~gregory/index.html