Chosen Road to Headline Free Labor Day Celebration in Catlettsburg

Chosen Road to Headline Free Labor Day Celebration in Catlettsburg

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

A long-standing community tradition in Catlettsburg will continue this Labor Day weekend as England Hill Free Will Baptist Church hosts a free community event on the Boyd County courthouse lawn.

The church has hosted a community event on the courthouse lawn since 1997, when it was invited to hold a community church service. The event grew from there and has become a yearly tradition. According to Justin May, Pastor of England Hill Free Will Baptist Church, the event has only been rained out two or three times over the years.

“Our church has been hosting this community event on the courthouse lawn since 1997,” May said. “We were invited to have a community church service, and it took off from there.” May shared that the event has only been rained out two or three times over the years.

The church has long been involved in the Catlettsburg Labor Day Celebration, participating in the parade and operating a food trailer. Over the years, the church has also conducted services and brought in musical groups, including multiple national recording artists.

This year’s featured group will be Chosen Road, a national recording group from West Virginia that has found success with its modern bluegrass sound. The group caught the attention of many members of the church’s youth group when they attended the Jason Lovins Band Christmas Concert in Ashland last December.

“Many of our youth group went to see them at the Jason Lovins Band Christmas Concert in Ashland last December, and loved their music,” May said.

Chosen Road released a new album this year titled American Morning. With 2026 marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, May said the group’s music was a fitting choice for the event, which will celebrate country, freedom and faith.

“They have a modern bluegrass sound that appeals to multiple generations,” May said.

May’s favorite song from the group’s new project is “Freedom’s Never Free,” which he said connects the sacrifices made by American soldiers with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

“It melds the stories of sacrifices of American soldiers and Jesus’s sacrifice to give us freedom,” May said.

“We hope that our community hears songs and a message of hope,” May said. “We pray they are encouraged.”

May noted that the event comes at a time when many people are dealing with turmoil in the world. He said the gathering offers an opportunity for people to simply enjoy an evening of music and fellowship.

“Folks can just come and enjoy one of the best bluegrass bands in the country free of charge with no strings attached,” May said.

The event will take place on the stage on the Boyd County courthouse lawn. There are typically no vendors on Sunday afternoon, but the church’s teens will sell refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

If rain forces a change of location, the event will be moved to the church’s youth center.

“Catlettsburg and Boyd County is a special place for us,” May said. “Our church has been in the England Hill area since 1943. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue the tradition and give back to a community that has given so much to us.”