The City of Buckhannon invites the community to the 18th annual Friendly Way Day celebration, which will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Buckhannon Fire Department. This year, the city will honor retired Buckhannon Volunteer Firefighters Jim Gregory and Brian Hollen for their exemplary service and dedication to our city.
Jim Gregory served from 1989 to 2008, and Brian Hollen from 1994 to 2011. Each has contributed immeasurably to our community’s safety, well-being, and spirit. The city welcomes their friends, families, and all residents to join them in recognizing these two individuals’ positive impact as part of our shared “friendly way.”
As part of the ceremony, which coincides with our annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival, the city will permanently add Jim and Brian’s names to the “Red Wall” and “Buddy Bench” along Friendly Way, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire future generations.
In 2007, the Buckhannon City Council established Friendly Way Day to honor the late Carl R. “Bud” Bennett—also known as “Ole Friendly”—by dedicating the street in front of the fire department’s truck bay as Friendly Way. Each year since, they have recognized individuals whose public service reflects Bud’s spirit and kindness.
Past Honorees
- 2007 – Bud Bennett
- 2008 – Harley Brown
- 2009 – Buddy Ray Zickefoose
- 2010 – Paul Mackey
- 2011 – Jack Ford
- 2012 – Larry Mackey
- 2013 – Jerry Wilfong
- 2014 – Wyatt Long
- 2015 – Dave Long
- 2016 – Kevin Goodwin
- 2017 – Charlie Shaffer
- 2018 – Paul Morrison
- 2019 – Joe Bennett
- 2021 – Steve Thacker
- 2022 – Steve Long
- 2023 – Vaden Queen
- 2024 – Joey Slaughter
Join the city as they celebrate the legacy of service and community spirit that defines Buckhannon and the Buckhannon Fire Department.
