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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.

A competitor throws a tomahawk during the annual Mountain Games competition at Heritage Farms near Huntington, West Virginia.
Culture

Annual Mountain Games competition tests pioneer skills

by Clyde Craig

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

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

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

by David Sibray

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.
Culture

Unique Mothman Festival expected to break attendance records

by David Sibray

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

Seth Withers, marketing consultant for West Virginia Explorer, gears up for a bike race.
Culture

New tourism marketer surprised about West Virginia vision

by Clyde Craig

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

Boats race on the Ohio River at New Martinsville, West Virginia, during the 2017 Regattafest.
Culture

New Martinsville to host North America boating championship

by Clyde Craig

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

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

Discover Hatfield-McCoy country at Appalachian Heritage Day

by David Sibray

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

The Powell Mountain goat once grazed the cliffs along US-19.
Culture

Famous West Virginia goat has likely passed

by David Sibray

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