Adventure Advisory: Festival Fun

The Adventure Advisory, prepared and distributed by Wild, Wonderful West Virginia (GoToWV), highlights some of the many activities happening across the Mountain State. Additional listings are posted at www.GoToWV.com/events/calendar. Event organizers and promoters are encouraged to submit items electronically at https://GoToWV.com/partners/.

Aug. 15-16: 4^th Annual Snowshoe Bike Park Chomolungma Challenge, Snowshoe
877-441-4386; https://www.snowshoemtn.com/events-and-activities/events/2015/08/4th-annual-snowshoe-bike-park-chomolungma-challenge.aspx#sthash.anifEWYS.dpuf
A downhill endurance mountain bike event as big as Mount Everest – this race tests the mental and physical capability of every rider. Compete solo, duo or as a team to complete 20 laps on the Western Territory, totaling 30,000 vertical feet.

Aug. 16: 9^th Annual Art in the Park, Berkeley Springs
304-258-6419; berkeleyspringsinfo@wv.gov; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-In-The-Park-WV/198383946859089; https://www.berkeleyspringssp.com/events.html
Art in the Park provides access to artists located in the Berkeley Springs region. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is – they are local. Shows are rain or shine, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. across the street from the Farmers’ Market.

Aug. 18-22: Doddridge County Fair, West Union
304-873-1742; 304-782-362; info@doddridgecountyfair.com; ryan.sutton@doddridgecountyfair.com; https://www.doddridgecountyfair.com
The 2015 Doddridge County Fair features award-winning entertainment, food vendors and Gambill Amusements. Activities include track events, youth pageants and livestock shows.

Aug. 21: Snakes of West Virginia, Watoga State Park, Marlinton
304-799-4087; www.watoga.com
Join Jim Fregonara from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and take a closer look into the amazing world of snakes. He will bring several West Virginia snakes to look at and learn about. Call for time and location.

Aug. 22: Island Frolic with Evening Meal, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, Parkersburg
304-420-4800; https://www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com/
It’s a grand evening on the island! The Frolic ticket includes a round-trip boat ride, meal, mansion visit, wagon ride and games. Ride bicycles for free and the gift shop will be open. Guests can choose when to pick up their meals at the island concession stand. Purchase tickets in advance.

Aug. 22: “Wings of Wonder”—Birds of Prey, North Bend State Park Lodge, Cairo
304-643-2931; www.northbendsp.com
Come to this Birds of Prey Education Program featuring live birds native to West Virginia and learn about owls, hawks and eagles. You’ll learn about the habitat, diet and behavior of each bird presented, the most common causes of injury to each species, and the laws protecting these special birds. No fee to attend. Presentation begins at 7 p.m.

Aug. 22: Oldies Rock & Roll Weekend Car/Motorcycle/Amphitheater Show featuring Rick K and the Allnighters, Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800; www.pipestemresort.com
Antiques, street rods, classics, customs, muscle cars, pro-street, trucks, motorcycle, and special-interest vehicles are all part of a great car show this weekend. Music provided by Rick K and the Allnighters; a distinctive vocal style and charismatic stage presence have earned Rick K and his band rave reviews at major fairs, casinos, and clubs.

Aug. 21-22: 4^th Annual Brew Skies Festival, Timberline Resort, Canaan Valley
800-766-9464; info@timberlineresort.com; https://brewskiesfestival.com/
Presented by the Mountain State Brewing Company, Brew Skies is more than just a music festival. It’s a unique, family-friendly celebration of West Virginia’s increasingly expanding craft beer movement, local artisan, craft and food vendors, and a wide range of musical performances – both local and nationally known acts.

Aug. 21-22: 10th Annual Veteran’s Bluegrass Festival, Wetzel County Fairgrounds, New Martinsville
304-775-5061; veteransbluegrass@gmail.com; www.veteransbluegrassfestival.com
Enjoy a weekend celebration of bluegrass music by some of the area’s local talent. The event features food and refreshments, 50/50 drawings, a craft show, door prizes, and a car, truck and motorcycle show. Times are 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 21 and noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 22.

Aug. 21-23: Fat Tire Festival, Slatyfork
304-572-5246; info@pocahontastrails.com; www.pocahontastrails.com;  https://www.pocahontastrails.com/fat-tire-50k-festival/
This event features a Friday Short Track Race, a Saturday West Virginia Mountain Bike Association Ultra Series Race (50K Ultra and 20K Lite) and a Sunday Enduro – the WVMBA Series Championship Race. This race series showcases what Slatyfork cross-country riding is all about – scenic single track, challenging rock gardens, 100-year-old rail grades with the original ties still in place, spruce forest and spectacular views.

Aug. 22: 2^nd Annual Summersville Lake Lighthouse Festival, Mount Nebo
888-872-5580; reservations@summersvillelakeretreat.com; https://www.summersvillelakeretreat.com/lighthouse-festival.html
This event features an art and craft show, live music and a classic car “cruise-in.” Cabela’s representatives will be on hand in the afternoon to teach bait casting techniques. Lighthouse tokens are $5 per person on the day of the festival. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Aug. 22: 14^th Annual New River Gorge-ous Trail Run/Walk, Minden
800-787-3982; 304-469-2651; ace@aceraft.com; https://aceraft.com/pages/new-river-gorgeous-trail-run
Race options include a half-marathon, 8.5 mile run or 5 mile walk. All courses wander through deep hardwood forests and offer spectacular views of the New River and the historic town of Thurmond. Prizes are awarded and free camping is available to racers.

Aug. 22-23: West Virginia State Honey Festival, Parkersburg
304) 424-7311; 800-752-4982; vmarshall@woodrecreation.com; www.woodrecreation.com
Along with important education about honey and the honey bee, the event features great food, entertainment, crafters, and vendors offering a little something for everyone. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Aug. 26-29: Frontier Days, Shinnston
304-592-5631; development@shinnstonwv.com; www.shinnstonwv.com
Frontier Days is Shinnston’s annual homecoming. Complete with carnival rides, American Pro Wrestling Alliance wrestling, local musical acts, karaoke, fair food and more, the festival blends modern entertainment with the past by paying homage to the festival’s historic roots.

Aug. 28 -30: 19^th Annual Appalachian Festival and 51^st Annual Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fair, Beckley
304-252-7328; ellenmtaylor@frontier.com; www.brccc.com
The Appalachian Festival is three days packed with arts, crafts, entertainment, classic car show, ghost tours, coal mine tours, music, food and fun!

Aug. 29: 6^th Annual Bulls and Barrels Rodeo, Lost River
304-897-7612; 304-897-8700; wvcattle@gmail.com; beth.dolan@visithardy.com; https://teetsfarms.com/wp/bulls-barrels/
What a way to spend an evening – watching 2,000 pounds of snorting, bucking, jumping, twisting and turning bulls. The event also features fast-paced barrel racing and mutton busting.

Aug. 29: 11^th Annual Heat’n the Hills Chilifest, Hamlin
304.824.5806 ext. 1212; Courtney.scarberry@swvhs.org; www.heatnthehills.com
Chili contestants will receive a free T-shirt and the winners will get a Blenko Glass trophy. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: “Hot and Spicy” and “Sweet and Mild.” Additional activities include live music from The Kentucky Headhunters, face painting, cake walk, Mad Scientist, and fireworks. Hours are 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Aug. 29: 27^th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival National Pasta Cook-off, Clarksburg
304-622-7314; 304-622-2157; wvihf@wvihf.com; https://www.wvihf.com
This pre-West Virginia Italian Festival event is open to amateur and professional cooks. The event features entertainment, a hot pepper eating contest and lots more.

Aug. 29: Dragon Boat Wheeling, Wheeling
800-828-3097; olitman@wheelingcvb.com; www.dragonboatwheeling.com
With origins dating back 2,300 years, traditional Hong Kong style dragon boat racing is a fun, unique cultural water sport fostering a sense of community, teamwork, friendly competition, and a love of being on the water. All skill levels and physiques are welcome. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aug. 29 – Sept. 5: 40^th Barbour County Fair, Belington
304-823-1328; deb_schoon@hotmail.com; www.barbourcountyfair.com
“There’s No Place Like Home” at the 40^th Barbour County Fair. Attractions and entertainment include lawn and garden tractor pulls, 4-H Horse Show, parade, car show, demolition derby, carnival rides, Youth/Adult ATV/Motorcycle drag races, draft horse show, musical entertainment and bull riding.

Aug. 29 – Sept. 6: 17^th Annual Oak Leaf Festival, Oak Hill
800-927-0263; https://newrivergorgecvb.com
Oak Hill’s annual event is a celebration of the return of autumn. The event features arts and crafts, a variety of vendors, crafts, quilts, live music and more!

Real. Excitement * Real. Family Time * Real. Mountain Flavor * Real. Adventure * Real. Fun * Real. Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.  You can find it here.  Call 800-CALL WVA or visit GoToWV.com.  Share your Real. West Virginia stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #GoToWV and #RealWV.###

This post was last updated on November 11, 2015