Free Lemonade Days return to the Bluefields

BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) – The hot temperatures from earlier in the week earned the Bluefields free lemonade on Friday, July 19, 2024.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias has made a deal since 1939 that if temperatures hit 90 degrees or higher at the Mercer County Airport, they will give out free lemonade.

It finally hit 90 degrees at the airport on Monday, July 15, 2024.

They set up lemonade stands at The Railyard, Bluefield City Park, and Jack Asbury Square in both Bluefield, West Virginia and Bluefield, Virginia from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias CEO, Jeff Dissibio said this sweet tradition began with their CEO, Eddi Steele.

“He thought because we have such a temperate climate, and we rarely hit 90 degrees that it is a good place for people to come and relocate to. It is an attraction for people who are trying to escape the extreme heat or the extreme cold,” explained Dissibio.

For this reason, Bluefield gained national popularity as “Nature’s Air Conditioned City.”

Plenty of volunteers helped pass out lemonade, ranging from Bluefield High School cheerleaders to real estate agents.

The lemonade was provided by Kwik Kafe.

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