Mountaineer Days began in Thomas in the early 1970s. Bernie and Mary Stilley, who operated a restaurant business in Thomas, were the organizers of the event. The events were held downtown and included a pet parade, Miss Mountaineer pageant, a bicycle parade and a variety of music and dancing. The firemen’s water battle was a featured event along with the annual fireworks display.
Mountaineer Days became an annual homecoming event for the 4th of July. Each year, additional events were added including a pig roast and the firemen’s parade. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the events were temporarily suspended. In 1995, the City of Thomas resumed the events. In 1996, the Mountaineer Days Committee coordinated the Mountaineer Days activities in conjunction with ‘Homecoming ‘96”
Events eventually moved to the railroad grade so that the local businesses could participate in the activities. Electric was added to the grade for vendors’ use. Miners and Merchants Bank has allowed the use their parking lot as a location for entertainment.
