West Virginia culture is a captivating blend of rich Appalachian traditions and vibrant high culture infused with the jazz of surrounding U.S. cities like Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The state is renowned for its deep-rooted Appalachian heritage, which is showcased through folk music, storytelling, and traditional crafts such as quilting and woodcarving. Visitors can experience this authentic culture at local festivals and heritage museums throughout the Mountain State. At the same time, West Virginia also embraces high culture, with world-class performances at the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, acclaimed theater productions at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and art exhibitions at the Huntington Museum of Art. This unique mix of mountain traditions and refined artistic offerings makes West Virginia a true cultural gem in the heart of Appalachia.
In its tenth year, the hugely popular Fright Nights haunt near Beckley, West Virginia, has been expanded into five attractions and has been relocated to the former equestrian center at Glade Springs, a wonderfully spooky October venue, says its creator. “Utilizing this space will bring a more authentic feel to the haunt and gives us … Read more
Survival on the Appalachian frontier required unique skills around which the fourth annual Mountain Games competition September 21 at Heritage Farm near Huntington, West Virginia, has been built. A Smithsonian affiliate, the farm—which includes 15 hewn-log structures, seven award-winning museums, an artisan center, and five log-cabin inns—has expanded the fourth-annual competition to include eight events, … Read more
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
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
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 new marketing consultant for West Virginia Explorer Magazine says he’s found enthusiasm he hadn’t expected as he rediscovers the Mountain State after living in South Carolina. Seth Withers maintained a connection with his home state after moving in 2000—returning often to hike, bike, and visit family—but as he began to talk with clients, he … Read more
The allure of the Ohio River has won the eighth annual Regattafest at New Martinsville, West Virginia, designation as host of the American Power Boat Association’s North American Championships for SST-120, SST-60, SuperSport, and Thundercats categories September 28-29. Sherron Winer, an organizer of the event, said the festival continues to grow and that making the … Read more
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
Her white coat gleaming against the grey cliffs atop Powell Mountain, a lonely she-goat that became the darling of motorists traveling U.S. 19 has likely passed. Anne Johnson, who helped popularize the Powell Mountain Goat through her photography, confirmed Wednesday that it had not been seen grazing above the expressway for six months. “The mountain … Read more
The full extent of the record-breaking 2019 World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia might be difficult to imagine, but photographer Gary Hartley was willing to hang out of an open helicopter to help. “[I] had the opportunity to fly with my good friend Chandler Swope over the Summit Bechtel Reserve/World Scout Jamboree and take photos,” … Read more
