Adventure Advisory: First Day Hikes and More
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. Event organizers and promoters are encouraged to submit items electronically at https://GoToWV.com/partners/.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike, Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis
304-259-5216; https://www.blackwaterfalls.com/special.htm
Meet the park naturalist in Blackwater Lodge lobby at 10 a.m. to embrace the New Year with this brisk, wintry walk along park trails looping back to Blackwater Lodge. Dress appropriately.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike – A Tree!-mendous Hike, Bluestone State Park, Hinton
304-366-2805; https://www.bluestonesp.com/Specials.html
Meet park aide Ben Leedom at 10 a.m. at the boat launch area below the park office. Leedom will focus on trees of Bluestone as well as good outdoor walking on the first day of 2016. Dress appropriately.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike, Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs
304-258-1022 ext. 5209; https://www.cacaponresort.com/events.htm
Let New Year’s Day be a perfect opportunity to start 2016 by connecting with nature, engaging in physical activity, and promoting healthy lifestyles all year long. Meet the naturalist at 10 a.m. at the Park’s Nature Center to explore the natural beauty of the Ridge Trail. Dress appropriately.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
304-456-4300; https://www.cassrailroad.com/dinner.html
Walk on the Greenbrier River Trail from the terminus at mile mark 80.8 (end of Front Street) South to the first trail side camping area at mile mark 78.5 then back again. The approximate time to complete this 4-mile round trip is 2+ hours. Dress appropriately.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike, Kanawha State Forest, Charleston
304-558-3500; https://www.kanawhastateforest.com/events.html
Beginning at 2 p.m. from the swimming pool parking lot, join Superintendent Kevin Dials and volunteers to venture on an afternoon hike to begin a new year. Dress appropriately.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike, Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800; https://www.pipestemresort.com/special.html
Meet Kim Hawkins in Pipestem’s McKeever Lodge lobby at 1 p.m. for an afternoon hike. Dress appropriately. Plan on being outdoors from 1½ to 2 hours.
Jan. 1: First Day Hike, Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton
304-265-6144; https://www.tygartlake.com/events.htm
Enjoy the first day of the New Year by checking out the sights and sounds of Tygart Lake State Park. Join the naturalist on a hike along the Lake Trail. Meet at the Park Office/ Nature Center at 10 a.m.
Jan. 1: Shanghai Parade, Lewisburg
304-645-1434; info@greenbrierwv.com; https://greenbrierwv.com/events/detail/shanghai_parade2015
Bundle up and enjoy Lewisburg’s annual New Year’s Day parade featuring colorful costumes and creative participants. Lineup is at 11 a.m. on Lee Street with the parade beginning at noon. No registration is necessary. Participants will be judged on creativity with cash prizes available.
Jan. 1: Braxton Jamboree, Chapel Road in Gassaway
304-364-5577; www.info@braxtonwv.org; www.braxtonwv.org
Held every Friday starting at 7 p.m., The Braxton Jamboree features bluegrass and country music. Talent from around the state gathers for a great time. Admission is $5/per couple or $3/single.
Jan. 2: 7th Annual Little Princess Ball, North Bend State Park, Cairo
304-643-2931; https://www.northbendsp.com/Special/special.html
Bring your little princess (ages 5-12) to this father-daughter weekend. Celebrate with dancing, music, arts and crafts, and more. Dress your daughter in her favorite party dress and be prepared to make some special memories.
Jan. 2: Munchkins, Munchies and a Movie, Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton
304-256-6144; https://www.tygartlake.com/events.htm
Call it “Date Night” or simply peace and quiet for adults. Children dine in the conference room while watching a family-oriented movie, while parents enjoy their “adult dinner” at Apple Annie’s.
Jan. 3 and 10: Sunday @ Two, Tamarack’s Gov. Hulett C. Smith Theater, Beckley
888-262-7225; https://tamarackwv.com.whats-happening/events.html
Tamarack hosts a live performance every Sunday at 2 p.m. With a variety of acts and musical venues, no two Sundays are ever the same. Jan. 3 features Lady D, a singer/songwriter from Beckley. Jan. 10 features Blackwater Mojo, a husband and wife duo from Elkins.
Jan. 8-10: Wilderness Survival and Primitive Bushcraft Winter Workshop, Seneca State Forest, Dunmore
304-799-6213; https://www.senecastateforest.com/deals.html
This high adventure event shares, sustains, and preserves the primitive bushcraft skills associated with West Virginia’s proud Appalachian history, heritage, and culture and enhances the diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities offered at West Virginia State Parks and Forests.
Jan. 9: Eagle Survey of the Pipestem Area, Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800 ext. 344; https://www.pipestemresort.com/special.html
An annual survey of the skies and waterways for golden and bald eagles in the Pipestem area. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. volunteers are assigned stations at various areas to watch and record sightings.
Jan. 9: Jazz at the Stifel, Stifel Fine Arts Center, Wheeling
304-242-7700; stifelcustomerservice@oionline.com; https://www.oionline.com/calendar2/index.php?eID=1632
Jazz at the Stifel presents Curtis Johnson and Yana Tyulkova. Hours are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $20.
Jan. 15-17: Huntington RV & Boat Show, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington
304-757-5487; https://www.bigsandyarena.com/events/upcoming/
As the region’s first and longest-continuously running RV and Boat Expo, the show provides outdoor adventurers an early preview of the many exciting new products and services. Hours are: Friday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
Jan. 15-17 and 22-24: “The 39 Steps,” Actors Guild of Parkersburg, Parkersburg
304-485-1300; www.actors-guild.com/
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theater. Hours are: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Real. Excitement * Real. Family Time * Real. Mountain Flavor * Real. Adventure * Real. Fun * Real. Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. You can find it here. Call 800.225.5982 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 December 16, 2015