In every nook, cranny and corner of West Virginia there are towns and cities that exude happy, energetic spirits. West Virginia burns with a certain enthusiasm evident in all of the West Virginia fairs and festivals happening throughout each month of the year. From arts and crafts and cookouts to competitions and river celebrations, West Virginia boasts a wide array of events. Nearly every interest is piqued by at least one of the many annual West Virginia events. With several West Virginia festivals kicking off in each month, it’s easy to enjoy more than one event during West Virginia vacations.
Harpers Ferry hosts the annual Mountain Arts and Crafts Festival in mid-June each spring. This West Virginia festivals many attractions include a wealth of arts and crafts like glass work, handmade furniture, pottery, rugs, photography and jewelry. More than fifteen celebrated vendors showcase numerous kinds of food from Appalachian specialities to fair food to delicious deserts. Like many West Virginia fairs and festivals this one is a celebration of heritage and culture. It offers many things to do and see, lots of great music, plenty of fantastic food and boatloads of friendly locals.
Multifest, a well-known multi-cultural festival in Charleston, is a fun family event held annually in the first week of August at the State Capital Complex. Though not strictly considered one of the West Virginia music festivals there certainly is a wealth of music to enjoy including R&B, rap, gospel and jazz. There is also an assorted array of cultural entertainment by local performers and cultural groups. This West Virginia events also known for local arts and crafts, a diverse offering of ethnic cuisine, fun games for all ages, dancing and many activities for kids. Charleston hotels can fill up so it’s advised to book rooms in advance.
In the long-standing tradition of West Virginia rafting, Wildwater River Festival in Webster is one of the classic West Virginia festivals to attend. Each year for two days in April the festival hosts exciting down river and slalom races on Elk River. There are also large ‘fun floats’ that are showcased on area rivers during the festival. The river race after party is a festival favorite and is held at Camp Caesar in the vicinity. Friends and racers join together and enjoy race videos, live music and good times all around a cozy fire indoors.
Fall festivals in West Virginia run rampant and offer some of the best entertainment around the autumn months before winter pounces and West Virginia skiing takes off. Some notable fall festivals in West Virginia include the Annual Leaf Peepers Festival, one of the most actions packed fall festivals in West Virginia to date! For two days there are tons of activities to enjoy including the Fall Foliage Horseback Ride, bluegrass musical performances, the Appalachian Craft & Food Fair, a photo contest, an outdoor barbeque and the Cranberry Woods Walk. West Virginia fairs, although fewer than festivals but equal in fun, include the Helvetia Agricultural Fair, celebrated since 1914, and the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair in Cedar Lakes and the Logan County Arts, Crafts & Antiques Fair.
West Virginia fairs and festival top the charts in September when there are more than twenty events happening throughout the month, all around the state. May comes in second with eighteen festivals to choose from while both June and August take third place for number of festivals. For a great way to tap into local traditions try making it to a festival or two and learn more about West Virginia history and tradiiton while having a blast at the same time!
