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
Denise Giardina portrays American humorist Minnie Pearl.

Denise Giardina to portray Minnie Pearl at Bramwell Sept. 13

Appalachian writer and former gubernatorial candidate Visitor Center at Bramwell, WV[/caption] While producing an amateur musical comedy in Baileyton, Alabama, Colley met a mountain woman whose style and talk became the basis for the character, who greeted audiences with the catchphrase, “How-w-w-DEE-E-E-E! I’m just so proud to be here!” The character first appeared on the Grand … Read more

Since 2016, Bridge Jam has been welcoming musical acts to Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Fayetteville’s Bridge Jam music fest moved to Aug 23-24

One of West Virginia’s most remarkable music festivals has changed its dates and capacity, promising more bands, more music, and more craft beer, according to organizers. Originally designed to coincide with the Bridge Day Festival on the New River Gorge Bridge in October, “Bridge Jam” has been moved to late August to accommodate campers and … Read more

Fans of the Mothman wander Main Street during the Mothman Festival at Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Unique Mothman Festival expected to break attendance records

Organizers of the annual Mothman Festival at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, say they’re expecting record visitation on the weekend of September 21 as interest in the legend of the winged beast grows world-over. Partly as a result of the recent release of the Fallout 76 video game—which features the Mothman and other alleged West Virginia … Read more

A park ranger demonstrates fire-pit cooking at North Bend State Park near Cairo, West Virginia

North Bend State Park hosts 52nd annual Nature Wonder Weekend

North Bend State Park’s Nature Wonder Weekend—North America’s premier and longest-running wild foods event—will celebrate its 52nd year Sept. 20-22. “Participants this year will learn how to bring their favorite wild edibles into their own backyards,” said Emily Fleming, deputy director for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “Also, as in past events, participants … Read more

The Allstadt House and Ordinary has been added to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Allstadt’s Corner donated to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Nearly 160 years after John Brown raided the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, the National Park Service is welcoming the gift of another 13 acres that help tell Brown’s story. The American Battlefield Trust purchased property known as Allstadt’s Corner, which includes Allstadt’s Ordinary, and transferred it to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The donation … Read more

Hundreds of hikers visit the trail system annually at Bethany College.

Bethany College seeks volunteers for trail system clean-up

Bethany College is seeking outdoor enthusiasts to volunteer for its trail system workday from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The system includes a waterfall, numerous hiking spots, and an outdoor classroom, according to Shannon Kolkedy, a communications specialist for the college at Bethany, West Virginia. Planned projects include brush cleaning, trail restoration, … Read more

Students ride the PRT at West Virginia University between the Downtown and Evansdale campuses at Morgantown, West Virginia.

PRT system in Morgantown to resume operations Thursday

In anticipation of students’ arrival on campus, the West Virginia University Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in Morgantown, West Virginia, will resume operations Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. As part of continuing modernization efforts, the transit system was closed during the summer to work on system integration and enhancements. Part of this work included the integration installation of … Read more

The International Mountain Bicycling Association announced the newest recipient of its Ride Center designation—the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center unveiled today by IMBA

The International Mountain Bicycling Association announced this week the new recipient of its IMBA Ride Center designation—the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. “It is our pleasure to welcome Snowshoe Highlands as IMBA’s newest Ride Center and first Ride Center in West Virginia,” said Dave Wiens, executive director of the association. “The … Read more

A family of loggers poses with their beasts of burden alongside logs timbered in the mountains of southern West Virginia.

Discover Hatfield-McCoy country at Appalachian Heritage Day

Though the Appalachian Mountains wander from Alabama to Newfoundland, there’s hardly a more quintessentially Appalachian territory than that in which the Hatfields and McCoys feuded in southern West Virginia. That’s why the inaugural Appalachian Heritage Day being hosted Aug. 24 in Logan, West Virginia, has all the makings of a world-class celebration of culture, according … Read more