BLUEFIELD, Va. (WVVA) -In honor of West Virginia’s 161st Birthday the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau set up at Thursday evening Ridge Runner game at Bowen Field.

The first 250 guests got to enjoy free cupcakes along with special giveaways throughout the game.

They also debuted their new selfie station for the community to capture moments at local events.

Executive Director Jamie Null of the Visitor Bureau hopes the community will use the station and share their creations with Visit Mercer County.

“We wanted something interactive for folks to do when they come to events that were set up and we really wanted to reach the younger generation,” said Null. “We have got this selfie booth, and it goes around to local events, and you can take pictures, you can use AI, props, you can do boomerangs, videos, and then you can text yourself the video. We hope that people will share it on social media to show what type of fun they’re having at Mercer County events.”

Null says the selfie station will be at Mercer Counties Cool Cruisin’ Nights on Mercer Street and Mercer County Fair.

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MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (WTRF) — If you’re itching for some fresh ink, the 2nd annual Locked Up Tattoo Convention & Dark Carnival presented by Wonder Oddities is taking up shop at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville this weekend.

Doors open at noon on Friday, June 21, and for a $20 entry fee, attendees get to experience live tattooing competitions, vendors, side shows, live bands, and more.

Some of the featured artists include Dragon Edong, Kaitlin Kettering, Lord Caktis, Ray Morrow, Amanda Garland, Daniel Stinson, Dan Gonzales, Spiffy, Roman Starkey, Justin Eldrige, Zach Knisley, and many more.

Guests can also check out vendors such as Tiffany’s Twisted Creations, Mortal Coil Serpentry, and the Bling Dr. for those looking for an oral fix.

The convention runs from 12-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12-7 p.m. on Sunday.

On Friday, there will be an early bird-free giveaway. At 2 p.m., there will be a drawing for a pre-selected tattoo by the award-winning tattoo artist Damien Szarmach, as well as a three-day pass. Upon admission, customers who come in before the drawing will receive a free draw ticket.

If you’re interested in reserving a spot with your favorite featured artist, you can visit their IG page listed in the Facebook post.

(Video in the story shows the top stories for Thursday, June 20, 2024)

West Virginia’s University is marking West Virginia Day — the state’s 161st birthday — today (June 20) with the launch of a new statewide campaign highlighting the ties that bind the Mountain State and its flagship University.

The iconic “Let’s Go” flag will be a key part of the campaign.

Starting now and throughout the coming months, University faculty, staff, students and alumni along with all Mountaineer supporters are asked to fly their “Let’s Go” flag at locations across West Virginia to show their pride in WVU and the state on social media.

Request a “Let’s Go” flag.

To kick off the statewide campaign, WVU Alumni and friends will join Braden Adkins, the 70th Mountaineer mascot, for an 11:30 a.m. meet-and-greet event today (June 20) on the State Capitol steps in Charleston. The event will include a gold and blue photo and video shoot.

At 12:30 p.m. members of the WVU Alumni Association Greater Kanawha Chapter will host WVU supports at Fife Street Brewing, 180 Summers Street.

Event details are here.

Find more information about the campaign.