Tourism Adventure Media Advisory May 16-24

 

 



West Virginia Strawberry Festival:  May 13-17, Buckhannon
A 68-year tradition continues as Buckhannon celebrates the strawberry harvest with the West Virginia Strawberry Festival.  Enthusiastic volunteers provide good, family style entertainment that offers something for everyone.  Enjoy the fun and thrills of a carnival or take a leisurely stroll through arts and crafts exhibits, a quilt or photography show or the souvenir shop.  The event also features a band competition, car show, strawberry auction, and Friday night and Saturday night block parties.  For more information, call 304-472-9036 or visit www.wvstrawberryfestival.com.

Smokin’ in the Valley Regional Chili Cook-off:  May 16, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Davis 
Be sure to head to Canaan Valley on May 16 for the 4th annual Smokin’ in the Valley Regional Chili Cook-off.  This ICS-sanctioned regional chili cook-off features traditional red, salsa and chili verde categories. Cooks will compete for cash prizes and a chance to move on to various cook-offs. For more information, call 304-866-4121, ext. 2677 or visit www.canaanresort.com.

 

Charlie West Blues Fest:  May 16, Oaks Field, South Charleston
Don’t miss this all-day Blues music event featuring three national and four regional acts.  Admission at the gate is $20, but military personnel and their family members get in free!  Blues Fest runs from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.  For more information, check out the Web site, www.wvbluessociety.org.

 

West Virginia Three Rivers Festival:  May 21 – 23, Palatine Park, Fairmont
This annual community festival celebrates the history and heritage of Marion County with pageants, fireworks, carnival, live music and food. The Grand Parade takes place on Thursday. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is free to the public.  For more information, call 304-363-2625 or e-mail threeriversfest@aol.com.

 

West Virginia: Words and Music:  May 21-30, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, Charleston
Charleston Stage Company presents an original play with music, West Virginia: Words and Music, May 21-23 and May 28-30.  Monologues written by West Virginia writers are intermingled with music of the Mountain State to create a stage production that challenges perceptions and stereotypes and gives commentaries on life in our great state.  All performances start at 8 p.m.  For more information, call 304-343-5272 or visit www.charlestonstagecompany.com.

Vandalia Gathering:  May 22 – 24, State Capitol, Charleston
Every Memorial Day weekend, the beautiful State Capitol grounds are home to the Vandalia Gathering. For more than 20 years, master fiddlers, banjo pickers and storytellers have shared their talents and celebrate the passing down of time-honored traditions, ethnic diversity and the uniqueness of West Virginia's mountain culture.  Outdoor clogging, dancing in the Great Hall, nightly concerts, storytelling, exhibitions, crafts, food and fun are all on the schedule. Hands-on games for children include butter churning, basketry, wool spinning, dancing and papermaking. All performances are free and open to the public. For more information, call 304-558-0220 visit www.wvculture.org/vandalia.

Memorial Day Celebration:  May 22-24, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Snowshoe
Make your first summer getaway and kick off the season right with a fun-filled weekend in the mountains of Pocahontas County.  Enjoy live entertainment, games, fun or a little relaxation.  Join the resort as it opens the Mountain Bike Park for the summer season.  Most activities are free.  For more information, call 1-877-441-4FUN or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.
 
# # #

The West Virginia Division of Tourism produces this media advisory with the help of other agencies and tourism businesses across the Mountain State. If you wish additional information about coming events in the Mountain State or if you are an event organizer or promoter and would like to have your event considered for inclusion in the Adventure Advisory, please contact Tricia Sizemore at tricia.t.sizemore@wv.gov.