Best of August in WV
In August, the days grow shorter as summer winds to a close in the beautiful hills of West Virginia. There are plenty of unique festivals, fairs and events sprinkled across the Mountain State to ensure you have the opportunity to soak up every last bit of that summer sun.
1. Try some WV brewskies under the blue skies
Music festival? Beerfest? Celebration of West Virginia’s natural beauty? Brew Skies in Canaan Valley is hard to categorize. With 10 West Virginia breweries, more than 20 bands and countless vendors all converging on Timberline Four Seasons Resort, we’d say it’s a mix of all of the above.
Enjoy a craft beer, jam to national and local musicians and try out some “Almost Heaven Kettle Corn” all while taking in Tucker County’s rolling green hills. Scenic chairlift and zip line rides are also available. The festival features a kids area— that’s right, it’s family friendly— and kids 14 and younger are absolutely free!
2. Find it all at the State Fair of West Virginia
Every August, the town of Fairlea turns into a bustling fun time. It all starts when a traveling midway packs an empty field with nearly 50 adrenaline-packed attractions (just wait ‘til you see it all lit up at night).
Ferris wheels and tilt-a-whirls not really your thing? That’s ok; the State Fair of West Virginia is so much more. Daily, free entertainment includes a champion lumberjack show and the only traveling wolf pack in the world (an extremely rare chance to see these mystical creatures perform). This year, Alabama, Third Day, Three Doors Down, Easton Corbin, and other national talents will pack the grandstand.
If you go:
The fair runs from Aug. 12 through Aug. 21. Keep in mind— you may need to set aside a full day to try out all the delicious food stands (don’t miss the cinnamon rolls, a fair favorite).
3. Do some bargaining at West Virginia’s largest yard sale
Are you good at finding treasures where someone else might not? If so, you’re going to want to be in Upshur and Lewis counties for a giant conglomeration of bargains deemed “West Virginia’s Largest Yard Sale.” Past years have seen hundreds of yard sales lining the streets of Buckhannon and Weston, as well as other historic towns within a 1-hour driving radius.
If you go:
So bargain hunters may choose the most efficient route, houses holding sales are encouraged to register with the Upshur County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Printed maps of those sales will be available at hotels, gas stations, restaurants and in local newspapers (The Record Delta and The Weston Democrat) the week of the sale, which takes place Aug. 5 and 6.
4. Learn about West Virginia’s infamous feuding families
Heritage Farm in Huntington will commemorate one of America’s most legendary feuds, the Hatfields and McCoys, at their “Way Back Weekend” event Aug. 6. Actors who played in The History Channel’s “America’s Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys” documentary (which was filmed on the farm) will be present, as well as reenactors. Way Back Weekend is a monthly event that celebrates unique aspects of West Virginia’s Appalachian heritage, including art, music, dance, industry, food and clothing.
In addition to learning about the infamous families, there will be vendors, a petting zoo, wagons rides and museum tours.
If you go:
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
5. Experience Bull Riding in Lost City
Teet’s Farm in Lost City will host an evening of “2,000 pounds of snorting, bucking, jumping, twisting and turning,” aka: good old-fashioned bull riding. At Bulls & Barrels, there will also be fast-paced barrel racing, mutton busting (that’s kids riding sheep— yes, it’s as cute as you’d imagine) and a greased pig chase. Guests ages 15 and older are encouraged to get into the action with a steer branding event, where teams of 3 race to catch a haltered steer, tie it to the arena and “brand” the steer on the hip with paint.
If you go:
The folks at Teet’s Farm don’t mind a little weather: the show goes on rain or shine. Gates open at 2 p.m. Aug. 27.
Which August events are you most looking forward to?
This post was last updated on October 7, 2021