David Sibray

David Sibray is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer, a news and travel magazine devoted to the state’s history, tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390 or at editor@wvexplorer.com
Mountain Music Festival 2014

Music festival to attract 1,500 to the New River Gorge

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — More than 1,500 spectators are anticipated to attend a three-day concert that opens a new festival ground in the New River Gorge June 5-7. The first Mountain Music Festival at ACE Adventure Resort is expected to increase traffic throughout the resort and should help ignite interest in the region as a music … Read more

Discovery at North Bend State Park, Ritchie County

Trails Weekend at North Bend offers expanded events

Few parks in West Virginia enjoy the status North Bend has attained for hiking and biking, so it’s little surprise that 500 guests are expected to visit this weekend for National Trails Day, celebrated June 7. The park has added two additional programs to its schedule this yeat to expand its promotion of outdoor recreation, according … Read more

Afternoon at Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest, National Parks

New designation for Mon’ forest announced

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia state forester Randy Dye today praised a new federal designation for the Monongahela National Forest designed to allow the division to work more effectively with the federal government to combat insect and disease threats. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin requested the designation, citing several threats to the 919,000-acre forest, including beech … Read more

Caveman eyes the eighth basket, Wine Cellars Park

Disc-golf course opens at Wine Cellar Park in Dunbar

DUNBAR, W.Va. — More than 40 Frisbee enthusiasts helped inaugurate the new disc-golf course at Wine Cellar Park today on the first leg of a three-course tournament in Kanawha County. The nine-hole course, which begins and ends near the historic Dutch Hollow Wine Cellars, opened today with a ceremony over which Dunbar mayor Terry Greenlee … Read more

Re-enactors stroll the grounds of the Blennerhassett Mansion on Blennerhassett Island.

“Mansion by Candlelight” tour wins Top 20 event award

The Southeast Tourism Society has named the annual “Mansion by Candlelight” tour hosted at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park near Parkersburg, West Virginia, as a Top 20 event to attend in October. The two-evening fete held in the island’s replica mansion welcomes more than 1,400 guests to witness an evening as it might have been in … Read more

New bison calf at W.Va. Wildlife Center

W.Va. Wildlife Center welcomes new baby bison

The newest resident of the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek is accepting visitors. Born May 2, the female bison, who’s name has not yet been reported, is apparently hale, though a little unsteady, according to Rob Silvester, a wildlife biologist at the center. “A bison calf can walk almost immediately after birth, albeit … Read more

Map showing new ACE Festival Ground

New River Gorge resort unveils new festival ground

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Set to open with an inaugural concert June 6-7, the new 12,500-capacity festival ground at ACE Adventure Resort has been designed as a focus for outdoor venues for the New River Gorge region. Hosting its first Mountain Music Festival, the festival ground and stage is intended to support year-round programming on a … Read more

Lisa DeBarr

Debarr wins whitewater trip through WVExplorer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lisa Debarr, of Charleston, originally of Buckhannon, has won a guided whitewater rafting trip for two on the New River with ACE Adventure Resort, according to David Sibray, editor and publisher of West Virginia Explorer. As per the terms of the drawing, Debarr entered by becoming a member of the West Virginia … Read more

Diagram of Meadow Creek Campground

New campground on New River will boost local travel

MAY 12, 2014 — Its construction delayed by a hard winter, the new flagship campground for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located near Sandstone and Meadow Creek, W.Va., in northern Summers County, will open in autumn, according to National Park Service officials. The 26-site campground will be the first on park property … Read more

Correction abbreviation for West Virginia

Which is the correct abbreviation for West Virginia?

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Throughout this publication, you’ll see West Virginia abbreviated in two ways: “WV” and “W.Va.” This is intentional. We follow journalistic guidelines that emphasize clarity, even if it means using different forms depending on context. Which abbreviation for West Virginia is correct? According to official style guides for American English, “W.Va.” remains the … Read more