Best of March in WV
Wondering what to do in the Mountain State in March? Here are 7 best bets:
1. Last Hurrah
Snowshoe Mountain Resort, March 26
Imagine costumed daredevils swishing down Snowshoe Mountain’s slopes… and trying to stay sliding all the way across a slush-filled pool at the bottom. It’s called “pond skimming,” and it’s a hoot.
Come cheer these wildly dressed skiers and snowboarders at this final blowout of the winter season!
2. Chocolate Festival
Ripley, March 19
Celebrate of one of our favorite sweet delicacies– chocolate! West Virginia has a long history of fine chocolatiers, and they all come together in Ripley, where businesses, churches, schools, individuals– basically the whole community– all pitch in. There are all forms of the sweet treat here: chocolate cakes, coffees, dipped fruits, molded candies and more.
This event is free– free admission, free parking, and free samples. And there are even fun family-friendly spectacles like magicians, face painting and an appearance by the Easter Bunny.
3. Irish Spring Festival
Ireland, March 13-20
Yes, there is an actual small community in West Virginia called Ireland. Though this festival falls around the time of St. Patrick’s Day, it’s much more than just a holiday party. It celebrates the arrival of springtime in Appalachia, and also our mountain heritage of “Scots-Irish” immigrants, who migrated here in the 1700s (The town of Ireland itself was founded way back in 1800).
Festivities will include traditional Irish food, drink and music, as well as a unique sport called “Irish Road Bowling.” Although this originated in the Old Country, West Virginia is the center of the game today.
4. Easter Egg Hunt
Tygart Lake State Park, March 26
What would Easter be without an Egg Hunt for the kids? Tygart Lake State Park is a beautiful setting for an egg hunt, with fishing, golf, picnicking and all sorts of other outdoor recreation on-site.
5. Civilian Conservation Corps Anniversary Day
Harrison County, March 27
On March 30, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Civilian Conservation Corps into law. It was an unprecedented New Deal program that put thousands of young, out-of-work Americans to work improving federal lands. It was a key step toward our country getting out of the Great Depression, and was especially profound in places like rural West Virginia, which was hit very hard by the economic crisis.
The West Virginia State CCC Museum in a restored schoolhouse in Quiet Dell celebrates the anniversary of the CCC every year with a free event to honor veterans of the program. They also encourage visitors to bring any CCC memorabilia they may have.
6. 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Mt. Nebo, March 11-12
This kid-friendly event has a lot going on! It all starts a week before the festivities with a kids’ beauty pageant for “Miss Leprechaun.” On March 11, join the annual Leprechaun Ball. Then, on Saturday, a parade kicks off the festivities of food, music, vendors and local crafts.
7. WV maple syrup!
March 19 (Mountain State Maple Day) and March 20 (more Maple events)
Stop into your local maple farm to celebrate Mountain State Maple Day on March 19. Or check out these weekend maple celebrations:
Breakfast lovers, grab your bibs! Every 3rd weekend in March, Pickens celebrates tapping the maple trees with a grand spectacle: rock walls, music, alpacas, plus plenty of pancakes piled high (and more) to celebrate sweet maple syrup!
Other sweet stops are getting in on the sugar celebration, too. Start with a stack of pancakes, then hit the trails to learn more about maple making through the ages at stations along the trails at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling.
You can also hop along maple stops throughout Grant County. Get a guide and samples at the South Side Depot in Petersburg, and don’t forget to grab a maple donut!
What will you explore this March in WV?
This post was last updated on July 20, 2020