The Flame Still Burns: A Look Back at Old Central City Days 2026

The 35th Annual Old Central City Days delivered everything it promised: live music from noon to eight both days, hands-on glass history, local vendors doing what they do best, and enough community energy to remind everyone why this stretch of 14th Street West matters.

The theme this year, "The Flame Still Burns: Glassmaking Across Generations," wasn't just a tagline. The Blenko Glass Mobile Hot Shop drew a steady crowd of onlookers watching molten glass take shape in real time; a living demonstration of the craftsmanship that helped build this region. Paired with the Central City Glass Guide and historic window displays throughout the district, the weekend felt like a genuine celebration of where Central City started and where it's headed.

Friday's Friendly Neighbor Hawkshaw Hawkins Tribute Show had no shortage of highlights, but one moment stood out above the rest. John Ellison, West Virginia Music Hall of Fame inductee and songwriter of "Some Kind of Wonderful," turned the stage into a sing-along when he invited the crowd to join him on that very song. That was one of those you-had-to-be-there moments that became immediately legendary.

Clogger performances brought the house down. Twice. Porter Creek Cloggers brought the energy on Friday just before the Friendly Neighbor Show, followed by the Lincoln County Cloggers, who kicked off the festival with an exciting performance on Saturday!

This year also marked the debut of the Fesenmeier Beer Garden. Cold cans, good company, and volunteer groups keep things running smoothly. We couldn’t have done it without the help of the Fire & Iron Station 29 volunteers.

And yes, it was humid. But the rain stayed away, the skies stayed blue, making a beautiful weekend for Old Central City Days!

None of it happens without the people who show up, sign up, and pitch in. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, whose generosity makes this festival free and accessible to everyone: RECO Product & Services LLC as our Platinum sponsor, and our Gold sponsors Bosley Rental & Supply Inc., the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, and the West Virginia Department of Tourism. We're grateful for every business and organization that helped make this possible, including RenewAll Inc., AT&T, Dutch Miller Auto Group, West End Faith Alliance, Thistle Patch Vintage Garden & Antiques, Hattie and Nan’s Antiques & Rare Books, Cicada Books & Coffee, The Frame Station WV, Huntington Children's Museum, and The Pilot Club of Huntington.

Thank you to every vendor who set up a table, every shop that opened their doors, and every person who walked the district and chose to spend their time and money here. Shopping local is what keeps Central City thriving. From the antique shops and artisan tables to the food trucks and handmade goods, every purchase was a vote for this neighborhood's future.

Thank you all again, and to everyone who came out and enjoyed all the fun with us. See you next year!

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