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Virtual Rocket Boys Festival

When:
October 27, 2020 @ 11:00 am – October 29, 2020 @ 2:00 pm
2020-10-27T11:00:00-04:00
2020-10-29T14:00:00-04:00
Where:
Virtual
403 Neville
St. Beckley
WV 25801
Contact:
Raleigh Playhouse & Theatre

ROCKET BOYS RETURN FOR VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 27-29;

FREE EVENTS ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE ALLOW ATTENDEES ACCESS TO HOMER HICKAM, ROCKET BOYS AND CELEB GUESTS

Beckley and Coalwood WV-The Rocket Boys will aim high once again, this time into cyberspace with the first-ever ‘Virtual Rocket Boys Festival’ October 27th-29th.

The beloved New York Times worldwide #1 bestseller “Rocket Boys” tells the story of Coalwood WV’s Rocket Boys through the eyes of author Homer Hickam. The acclaimed book spawned a major motion picture ‘October Sky’, a musical adaption, and an annual ‘Rocket Boys Festival’ for two decades, bringing thousands to Southern WV to meet Homer and the other Rocket Boys, NASA astronauts, stars of the film and musical.

The last official Rocket Boys Festival was in fall 2019, the festival’s 20th anniversary. “It seemed like a good time to go out on a high note,” said Hickam, who made the pilgrimage back every year to greet fans of the book and movie from all over the world.

Then, the global pandemic hit, and everything changed, for everyone. Now, there were no festivals or public gatherings, and everyone found themselves adjusting to home life.

Rocketboys Festival and Theater West Virginia Executive Director Scott Hill hit upon the idea to bring the Rocketboys and their many fans together online, making the festival accessible for the first time for folks from around the world who love the story but might never have been able to make it in person to West Virginia. The first-ever virtual Rocket Boys Festival will be offered at no cost.

The Virtual Rocket Boys Festival will give attendees, including students from schools nationwide, the chance to virtually attend and interact with Homer and the Rocket Boys, get a sneak peek inside a real coal mine and the town of Coalwood, hear behind the scenes details of filming of October Sky, enjoy special musical performances and more. Students and adults will also be able to attend virtual writers workshops curated by Hickam, who has written 19 best sellers in addition to ‘Rocket Boys’.

The Virtual Rocket Boys Festival will take place on October 27th-October 29th from 11 am ET to 2 pm ET and be accessible on the Rocket Boys Festival Facebook Page, The Rocket Boys Festival YouTube page, and at http://theatrewestvirginia.org/.