Fairs, festivals, and events in West Virginia provide an authentic way to experience the state’s rich Appalachian culture, warm hospitality, and vibrant community spirit, especially as the remote-work revolution brings new residents from big U.S. cities seeking connection and local experiences. From lively music festivals and traditional craft fairs to food and heritage events, West Virginia’s year-round calendar brings people together to celebrate local art, music, food, and history. These gatherings support small businesses, showcase talented local artists and musicians, and create fun, family-friendly entertainment for both longtime residents and newcomers. For remote workers and new residents, attending West Virginia’s fairs and festivals is a wonderful way to meet neighbors, make memories, and feel at home in the Mountain State while enjoying its unique charm and sense of community.
As a result of the year’s strange weather, annual wildflower walks being led by park rangers in southern West Virginia this weekend are expected to include the unexpected. The walks, which are scheduled at Babcock, Hawks Nest, and Pipestem Resort state parks and in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, will at least … Read more
Do you have a favorite West Virginia ramp feast you’d like to share with the public? We’d like to hear from you. Now in its fourth year of publication, our guide to Ramp Feasts and Festivals is annually visited by more than 10,000 visitors, according to publisher David Sibray, who encourages readers to share the list of celebrations of this spring-blooming … Read more
Every year for more than a decade West Virginia Explorer contributor Blair Frier has documented the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio, through exceptional photography. Though dedicated to promoting fairs and festivals in West Virginia, we annually feature the results of his excursion as a speciall feature. Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival — August 2014 Photographer … Read more
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
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
The roar of motorcycles is already reverberating in the Tug Valley of southwestern West Virginia, into which more than 15,000 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to descend May 1-4 during its third annual Rally in the Valley. Organizers say winding back-roads and a singular landscape have helped make the celebration so successful — perhaps more successful … Read more
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park this weekend hosts a two-day commemorative event exploring the 1864 recruiting party held there for the newly established U.S. Colored Troops only five years after John Brown’s raid and attempt to free and arm slaves. “Desperate Courage: Raising a New Army of United States Colored Troops” will … Read more
OAK HILL, W.Va. — Now in its eleventh year, the annual trail maintenance weekend at ACE Adventure Resort on April 26-27 is attracting more participants than ever, in large part because the event has become a tradition, officials say. Sixty-six volunteers and counting are signed up to prep the trails for another season of hiking, biking, … Read more
Festival season in West Virginia launches in earnest in May and doesn’t end until the weather grows too cold to support outdoor activities again in November. May 2014 is no exception. The W.Va. Division of tourism is helping us provide a list of some of the best festivals in the Mountain State this year, to be published as a … Read more
GRANDVIEW, W.Va. — Now in its eleventh year, the New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend in southern West Virginia has become a tradition and continues to attract more participants each spring. The three-day celebration, set for April 25-27, guides guests through woodlands in four state parks and in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in … Read more
