43rd Rail Fan Weekend: May 21-23, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
Join us for an exciting three-day event for train enthusiasts with spectacular photo opportunities arranged. A three-day event ticket is available for $200 and reservations are required. Breakfast will be available on Saturday and Sunday for $6. Saturday night dinner buffet is available for $12. Contact 304-456-4300 or visit www.msrlha.org for additional information.
Battle of Lewisburg Living History and Re-enactment: May 21-23, Lewisburg
The theme for 2010 is “The Un-Civil War.” The event will feature lectures and a musical presentation that highlight certain aspects of the War Between the States rarely found in most history books in use today nor presented by other Civil War re-enactments - actions that, by today’s standards, might even be considered as “war crimes.” Education Day is Friday with presenters speaking and doing demonstrations with classroom groups in 20-minute intervals throughout the day. A few of the topics will be Impact of the War on Civilian Life, Treatment of Prisoners, Military Strategy/Tactics against Civilians and Prisoners, and How Civilians Made Order out of Chaos, to Cope, Survive and Carry On. Saturday’s activities will be from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and hours on Sunday will start at 10 a.m. and end with the Battle of Lewisburg at 2 p.m. All events will ensure a stimulating, entertaining and educational weekend for students, the public and participants. For more information, contact 800-833-2068 or visit www.battleoflewisburg.org.
An Evening with Carlin's Battery D at Volcano: May 22, Mountwood Park, Deerwalk
Enjoy an evening of bluegrass music, Civil War and artillery demonstrations and a traditional one-act play. With hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, picnicking, camping, festivals, and community activities, there’s something for everyone at Mountwood Park. All are welcome to enjoy this 2,600 acre wooded park with a 50-acre lake and more than 50 miles of biking, hiking and horseback riding trails. Activities begin at 5 p.m. at the marina and are free to the public. Visit www.mountwoodpark.org for more information or contact 304-679-3611.
Cole Chevy Mountain Festival: May 25-31, Bluefield City Park, Bluefield
Join the fun at this 26th annual event that includes: a carnival, pageants, food vendors, novelty vendors, Beach Night, Gospel Night, softball games, karaoke, hot pepper eating contest, magicians, exotic animals, lumberjack show, wood carving, bowling tournament, car show, Sunday evening fireworks and a Memorial Day service on Monday. Hours vary per day and per event. There will be admission charged for some events. For more information, contact 304-327-7184 or visit www.bluefieldchamber.com.
West Virginia Three Rivers Festival: May 26-29, Fairmont
Festivities for the 31st annual festival begin May 26 at 6 p.m. with the opening of the carnival and will close at 11 p.m. However, the festival officially opens on May 27th with the start of the Grande Feature Parade followed by the opening ceremonies at Palatine Park in Downtown Fairmont. Following this are three days of fun-filled activities for the whole family. Please come and enjoy the live entertainment, battle of the bands competition, pepperoni roll eating contest, pepperoni roll baking contest, carnival, parade, fantastic food and a gigantic fireworks display at 10 p.m. on Saturday to finish it all off! Hours vary each day. Contact 304-366-5084 or visit www.wvthreeriversfestival.org for more information.
Webster County Woodchopping Festival: May 26-30, Baker’s Island, Webster Springs
This year’s theme is Choppin’ to Win in 2010. Kicking off the festival on Friday night will be the West Virginia State Championship Firemen’s Rodeo. Fire departments from all over the state compete in such events as the bucket brigade and Firemen’s Challenge. A Firemen’s Challenge is an event that tests the actual firefighting skills in a race against others and the clock. Trophies are awarded to both individuals and team winners. Other activities will include: bed races, arts and crafts, firemen’s parade, outdoor concerts, lumberjack breakfast, 5-K Race, Southeastern United States World Championship Woodchopping, duck derby, Grand Feature Parade, motorcycle show, car and truck show, horseshoe pitching tournament, dance, West Virginia turkey calling contest, and much more. Hours vary for each day and event. For more information, contact 304-847-7666 or visit www.woodchoppingfestival.com.
West Virginia Dandelion Festival: May 27-31, White Sulphur Springs
Join the Town of White Sulphur Springs for its five-day Dandelion Festival. The event is a celebration for the determination of the dandelion. The gutsy little flower fights its way through velvety lawns, dodges mowers and weed killers and, against all odds, reigns supreme as it blankets our towns each spring. Activities for the weekend feature kids’ activities, contests, art show, pet costume contest, dandy legs contest for males, car show, fireworks on Saturday, veterans’ appreciation activities and live music and entertainment. For more information, contact 304-536-5060 or visit www.wssmainstreet.org.
Vandalia Gathering: May 28-30, Capitol Complex, Charleston
The Vandalia Gathering brings together the finest traditional Appalachian musicians for a weekend of great picking. Elder statesmen and young upstarts perform on stage, compete in contests and play in impromptu jam sessions all over the Capitol Complex. Visitors to the Gathering can enjoy fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar contests outside during the day and concerts in the State Theater in the evenings. Keep your ears open! Events will include: Appalachian Heritage Dancing, fiddle contests, Scottish dance, banjo/mandolin contests, flat pick guitar contest, West Virginia Storytellers Guild, Vandalia Dancers, cobbler and cake walk, Three Rivers Avian Center demonstrations, art activities, pound cake and homemade biscuits and jam/preserves contest, quilt awards and Vandalia Award Ceremony, food and fun and old-time activities for young'uns. All activities are free. For additional information, contact 304-558-0220 or visit www.wvculture.org/vandalia/vansched.html.
Defend and Protect: Arming America’s Soldiers: May 29-30, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry
Special exhibits, historic weapons firing demonstration and programs highlight the Harpers Ferry Armory, technology, invention and how soldiers used these weapons for national defense and exploration. This program investigates how a young republic grew with industrialization, technology, innovation, national expansion, while wrestling with the challenges of mass immigration, free labor versus slavery, and religious prejudice. Visitors are invited to experience the skills necessary to be a musket lock plate armory worker and munitions workers. Hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, contact 304-535-6029 or visit www.nps.gov/hafe.
Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour: May 30, Heritage Port, Wheeling
Please join us in our fourth year of celebrating the Wheeling Heritage Trail at Heritage Port in Wheeling! Registration begins at 9 a.m. The bike ride will start at 10 a.m. This is a non-race event for cyclists and trail enthusiasts. Pre-registration by May 28th is $20 per person. Registration the day of the tour is $25. The family fee is $10 for each additional family member to a maximum of $50. Children under 12 are free with a registered adult. Helmets are required for cyclists. Registration covers a pre-tour bicycle safety check, snacks and water at rest stops, lunch, T-shirts to the first 200 pre-registered and ride assistance. The tour will take place rain or shine! Participants will return to Heritage Port for lunch. Contact 740-635-3700 or visit www.ohiovalleytrailpartners.org/tour.html or e-mail info@quickservicecycle.com for additional information.
# # #
May 4, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tricia Sizemore
304-558-2003, ext. 59319
tricia.t.sizemore@wv.gov
The West Virginia Division of Tourism produces this media advisory with the help of other agencies and tourism businesses across the Mountain State. For additional events throughout the state, visit www.wvtourism.com. 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.