Virtual Tour de Coal keeping local group afloat after annual event canceled

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — A major summer event that brings in thousands of dollars and keeps the Coal River Group afloat is not happening for the first time in 15 years.

Tour de Coal, which was set to be June 20, was canceled due to COVID-19.

Coal River Group Chairman Bill Currey said even if the state lifts restrictions it is too late to hold the event.

"We bring in over 100 of our volunteers, another 100 police to maintain safety, and we rent a lot of buses just for that one day," Currey said.

The Coal River Group is in charge of restorations and river upkeep. They rely on event profits and grants to keep up their work. Tour de Coal brings nearly 2,000 kayakers every year, and the cancelation puts the group in deep trouble.

"The Coal River Group is a nonprofit. It doesn't have any guaranteed income other than big events that we put on and grants," Currey said.

If you were looking forward to grabbing your kayak and floating down the Coal River, you still have a chance. There is going to be a 'Virtual' Tour de Coal. The idea is for people to still enjoy the river safely.

"We don't expect you to come here on June 20. We want to see people take videos and pictures then send them in on social media," he said.

For more information on how to register for theTour de Coal- Virtually, click here.