Mountain Stage: Livingston Taylor
Livingston Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of 13, which began a 50-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting, and teaching. Livingston recorded his first record at the age of 18 and has continued to create well crafted, introspective, and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide. His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres—folk, pop, gospel, jazz—and from upbeat storytelling and touching ballads to full orchestra performances. Advance Tickets: $20; Mountain Stage Members: $15; Day of Show: $30; All Tickets General Admission
Fourth of July in Ripley
Join 'America's Largest Small-Town Independence Celebration.' A full day includes the Little Patriots Hour with superheroes, Firecracker 2-Miler Race, and Grand Parade. Free concerts include the Ladies for Liberty Andrews Sisters tribute), Parrots of the Caribbean (Jimmy Buffet tribute), and Dwight Icenhower (Elvis tribute). The free show is capped by the 10 p.m. fabulous fireworks.
Classic Rock & Comedy
The free show on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse begins with festival favorite Phil Dirt & The Dozers. Funnyman Bil Lepp is next on stage followed by Surf's Up, a tribute to The Beach Boys.
Zach Williams Concert
Christian rock award-winner Zach Williams is the headliner for the annual U-Turn concert. The free event is on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse in Ripley.
Free Concert in Ripley
Nashville's Dave & Daphne, comedian Jacob Hall and Rick K & The Allnighters perform a free evening of entertainment on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse.
Charleston Metro Bands Concert
A free outdoor concert on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse features patriotic marches, Broadway tunes and movie hits.
Kanawha Kordsmen Concert
Making their Ripley debut is The Kanawha Kordsmen. The group has been specializing in the barbershop-style music for more than 40 years. The Kordsmen represent the Greater Kanawha Valley Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. More than two dozen voices will join for a free outdoor concert on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse Square in Ripley.
West Virginia Black Walnut Festival
Founded in 1954, the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival began as a gathering centered around bringing your walnuts to Spencer to have them weighed and sold to the nut company. 64 years later, the BWF is going strong with a carnival, crafts, live music, a car show, exhibits, a grand parade, good food and great times!
Afternoon With Mark Twain
American author and humorist Mark Twain will be portrayed by Doug Riley of Tunnelton as part of the West Virginia Humanities Council's History Alive program. The pen name for Samuel Clemens, Twain is known for works such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Ironically, he died April 21, 1910. The free performance is in the historic Alpine Theatre, 210 W. Main Street in downtown Ripley.
Tour de Lake XC Mountain Bike Race
Charles Fork Lake is a 70-acre impoundment located in Roane County approximately 2 miles southeast of Spencer. It is accessible from WV Route 36 via County Route 36/2. The Tour de Lake Mountain Bike Race is one of the most popular and longest running events in the WV Mountain Biking Association points series. Saturday, March 24th - Short Track Race - Registration 1:00-3:30 PM, 1st Race 3-3:30 Sunday, March 25th - XC Race - Registration begins 9 AM, Kids Race 11 AM, Pre-race meeting 11:45 AM, Race Start 12:00 PM Registration for both the Short Track and Cross Country are available at https://www.usacycling.org/.
‘Aliens Among Us’ Mini-Con
This 4th annual event is hosted by the Jackson County Public Library at the corner of Church & North streets in downtown Ripley. Activities include role play games, crafts, costume contests and Jedi Training Camp. Call 304-372-5343 for details.
Tales of Three Liars
Spend April Fool's Eve in the historic Alpine Theatre with champion liars James Froemel of Morgantown, Ian Nolte of Huntington and Jacob Hall of Charleston. Call 304-514-2609 for details.
Holiday Craft Workshops
Make a gift for someone special or perhaps a decorative item for the home. Choose from holiday baskets, wood carving, stained glass, wood turning, or dulcimer. Call 877-426-8056 for details.
Road Scholar Crafts
Nine craft workshops are available at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, near Ripley. Topics are Fiddle, tin smithing, creative writing, bread making, wood turning, quilting, stained glass, watercolors, and basketry. Call 877-426-8056 to register.
Road Scholar Crafts
Choose from eight topics at Cedar Lakes Conference, near Ripley. Basketry, primitive rug hooking, blacksmithing, quilting, stained glass, watercolors, dulcimer, and wood turning are offered.
Road Scholar Crafts
Choose from 10 workshop topics at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, near Ripley. Topics are blacksmithing, photography, wood turning, quilting, stained glass, woodcarving, watercolors, basketry, nature printing and playing the fiddle. Call 877-426-8056 for details.
Road Scholar Crafts
Choose from seven craft workshops at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, near Ripley. Basketry, dulcimer, quilting, wood turning, watercolors, stained glass, and creative writing are available. Call 877-426-8056 to register.
Road Scholar Crafts
Choose from eight class workshops. Basketry, wood turning, photography, quilting, nature printing, watercolors, marquetry & parquetry are offered. Register at 877-426-8056.
Holiday Craft Workshops
Make a gift for someone special or a decorative item for your home. Workshop topics are painting, stained glass, wood turning, photography, and playing the bowed psaltery. Call 304-372-7860 for information.
Craft Week @ Cedar Lakes
Workshops in the craft house are stained glass, basketry, painting, wood turning, and dulcimer. Call 304-372-7860 for registration details.
Craft Week @ Cedar Lakes
Six workshops are offered through the craft program at Cedar Lakes Conference Center. Topics are blacksmithing, fiddle, acrylics, wood turning, woodcarving, and dulcimer. Call 304-372-7860 for information.
Craft Week @ Cedar Lakes
Ten craft workshops are offered. Topics are basketry, quilting, fly fishing, wood turning, creative writing, watercolors, woodcarving, blacksmithing, stained glass and playing the bowed psaltery. Call 877-426-8056 for details.
Craft Week
Artisans are offering workshops about basketry, quilting, stained glass, woodcarving, watercolors, wood turning, blacksmithing and playing the dulcimer. Call 877-426-8056 for details.
Quilting Retreat
This week-long workshop features three talented instructors. Judy Lilly will focus on covered bridge quilts. Log cabin quilts are taught
Old Time Fiddle Week
Learn from master fiddle player Dave Bing. The workshop is for intermediate and advanced players. Call 304-372-7860 for information.
Craft Spring Fling
Six craft options are available for this weekend getaway. Choose from basketry, beading, painting, wood turning, penny rugs or playing the ukulele. Call 304-372-7860 for details.
Potter’s Gathering
Master potter Bill van Gilder of Maryland is leading the 39th annual Potter’s Gathering at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, near
Crafty Cabin Fever Weekend
A informative weekend getaway is planned at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. Learn basketry, wood turning, stained glass, wool felting and psaltery playing from professional instructors. Call 304-372-7860 for information.
WV Chocolate Festival
Have a “sweet” time during Ripley’s 12th annual Chocolate Festival. It begins with a 10 a.m. parade through downtown Ripley
Mountain State Art & Craft Fair
A tradition since West Virginia's Centennial of 1963, this event is known as "The Granddaddy of Art & Craft Fairs." The 4-day Fair features more than 100 artisans, music, food and culture in five villages that made early Appalachia special: Celtic, Italian, German, Swiss, and The Americas.
Holiday Open House 2017
Wine tasting, food, and sales.
Here We Come A-Caroling
Storyteller Susanna "Granny Sue" Holstein and guitarist Jeff Seager share the origins of Christmas carols. Many were brought to America from 'the old country.'
Vietnam: WV Veterans Remember
More than 35,000 West Virginians served combat duty in Vietnam. Five of them are featured in this 1-hour documentary produced by WV Public Television. Admission is free. Donations are accepted for the Jackson County Hunting Heroes program.
Ripley Ghost Walk
Storyteller Granny Sue leads the "Do You Believe?" ghost walk, a 1-mile stroll through downtown Ripley. The lantern tour features tales of local history such as WV's last public hanging and the tragic death of the town's namesake, Harry Ripley. Walks begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. from the Jackson County Courthouse. Call 304-514-2609 to register.
Agatha Christie Murder Mystery
"And Then There Were None" is on stage in Ripley's historic Alpine Theatre. The 3-act murder mystery is presented by The Jackson County Players. A 2 p.m. Sunday matinee also is available.
Veterans Day with Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Ripley's 10 a.m. parade from the high school to the Jackson County Courthouse features the 400-member Military Honor March and two large parade balloons. The 11 a.m. ceremony on the courthouse lawn includes patriotic selections by West Virginia's Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Downtown Throwdown – BBQ & Brewfest
Our premier fall event in downtown Parkersburg has quickly become the Downtown Throwdown BBQ and Brewfest. Our Brewfest features many of West Virginia’s craft beers. Attendees will have the option to purchase various BBQ and other food items from their choice of food vendors. Most vendors accept cash only, but there are ATM’s in the vicinity of the event. At the end of the evening, attendees are encourage to cast their vote for the favorite BBQ item in the ballot box at the main gate. At the end of the evening, our winner will be announced and receive their award. Local entertainment provides this event with the atmosphere to sit back, relax and enjoy the evening. This event is made possible with the support of the Parkersburg Jaycees and other sponsors.
Free Music Seminar
West Virginia's "Ambassador of Music" Dick McVey is leading this session in the historic Alpine Theatre. He is a 30-year veteran on the Nashville scene as an entertainer, producer and publicist. The event is hosted by the Jackson County School of Music. Contact Laurie Shultis on Facebook for information.
Beginning Craft Workshops
Several workshops geared for beginners are available near Ripley. Learn fiber stools with Dallas Skeen, dulcimer with Martha Turley, wool felting with Debbie Martzel, photography with Ron Gaskins, blacksmithing with Cody Fields, and stained glass with Troy Knight.
Blacksmithing & Pastels
The art of pastel painting is taught by Vivian Ripley and blacksmithing with Cody Fields are offered near Ripley.
Autumn Craft Workshops
A variety of seven workshops are available near Ripley. Learn stained glass with Troy Knight, salt risin' bread with Mary Beth Lind, tinsmithing with Jeff Leister, creative writing with Colleen Anderson, basketry with Debbie Martzel, woodturning with Byron Young, or watercolors with Jerre Watkins.
October Craft Workshops
Five craft workshops are available near Ripley. Learn rug hooking with Diane Kelly, photography with Ron Gaskins, rug hookingwith Byron Young, dulcimer playing with Heidi Muller, and water colors with Jerre Watkins.
Fall Craft Workshops
A lineup of eight craft workshops is offered at the center near Ripley. Topics are landscape quilting with Judy Lilly, water colors with Jerre Watkins, basketry with Gail Hutchinson, photography with Ron Gaskins, woodcarving with Bob Barris, woodturning with Byron Young, nature printing with John Doughty and playing the bowed psaltery with Tish Westman.
Late Summer Crafts
Four week-long craft workshops are offered near Ripley. Learn water colors with Debbie Lester, stained glass with Troy Knight, woodworking with Byron Young, basketry with Debbie Martzel,
Water Color Workshop
Artist Vivian Ripley is leading a week-long workshop on water color techniques.
Crafts by the Lakes
Heritage crafts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Ranges. Blacksmithing, Stained Glass, Chair Weaving, The Art of Wool Felting, Photography classes offered in a relaxed get away weekend package.
Five Craft Workshops
Week-long workshops at beautiful Cedar Lakes Conference Center feature fly fishing, wool art needle felting, blacksmith knife making, woodturning and twig furniture. Call Marsha Humphrey at 304-372-7860 for details.
Wild and Wonderful Arts & Crafts Festival
Join us July 6-8th at the Jackson County Fairgrounds ( 6 miles from Ripley), in Cottageville, WV! The Wild and Wonderful Arts and Crafts Festival is dedicated to bringing the community together through arts and entertainment. We have an excellent lineup of artisans whose works include handmade crafts and local musicians. We will have a Children's pageant, Cruise In, Quilt Show added this year! We also offer an excellent selection of food from well-known concessions in the area. Check out our Facebook page to stay up to date on the activities. https://www.facebook.com/events/195245891022124/. The schedule will be posted soon!
Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival
The Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival (MOVMCF) is a free annual festival which encourages the appreciation and recognition of community diversity through entertainment, cuisine, education, and artistic expression of all cultures. It celebrates diversity with a smorgasbord of artists and performers. The goal of the MOVMCF is to highlight a variety of cultural and ethnic groups, showcasing artistic performances of traditional music and dance. This year’s three-day event is June 15-17th, 2018, at Parkersburg (WV) City Park. The audience sits in the open air to watch the performers on a covered outdoor main stage. The event features traditional and contemporary music and dance performances of varying artistic, cultural, and ethnic traditions, all featured on a main stage. In addition to live performances, the festival features strolling artists, a variety of ethnic food vendors, traditional crafters and demonstrations, and a special Children’s Activity Center.
Holiday in the Park
Celebrate the holidays by driving with family and friends through the skillfully decorated City and Southwood Parks while listening to