51st Annual Railroad Days
For two weekends in October, the streets are filled with a variety of vendors, great food, live entertainment, and carriage rides through the Hinton Historic District. The Railroad Museum showcases model railroad and John Henry exhibits, photo and art exhibits, and more. New River Train Excursions runs daily trips from Huntington, WV to Hinton, WV each day of the festival.
Irish Road Bowling – Pipestem Resort State Park
Irish Road Bowling consists of a ball made of iron and steel that is heavy enough to pick up speed, yet small enough for any person to handle. Besides the basic rules and terms, all you do is hurl this 28 oz. sized "bowl" with an underhand motion over a 1 to 2 mile country road and see how far it goes! Scored like golf, the fewest number of shots from the start to the finish line wins. Irish Road Bowling is similar to fast pitch softball, except with a running start. It's also like bowling if you had enough room to run 10 or 15 yards. Irish Road Bowling is ideal for young athletes or seniors who are looking to enjoy a scenic walk on a country road, combined with an ancient and exciting, but not overly strenuous, sport! A magnificent view into the Bluestone River Gorge, Appalachian Spring colors in southern West Virginia, and one of the state's very best road bowling roads, combine for an unforgettable weekend. A second qualifier will be held at the Strawberry Festival near Buckhannon, May 20, 21. Top men and top women scorers from each qualifier - Pipestem and Strawberry - advance to the West Virginia IRBA Men's and Women’s Singles State Championship, June 23, 24, at Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis, WV. Saturday, April 21: 12 noon: Registration for Team Bowling. 1:30pm: Team Bowling starts at Park Gate House. Sunday, April 22: 11am: Team Fun Bowl meet at Park Gate House. 12 Noon: Registration at Campground. 1pm: Women's and Men's Qualifiers meet at Campground. Pipestem Resort call Kim Hawkins at 304-466-1800, email pipestemsp@wv.gov or visit www.pipestemresort.com. Ask for Irish Road Bowlers discount. For WVIRBA Kevin Smith 304-228-7928.
Metal In The Mountains WV-Featuring Mushroomhead
2-Day Heavy Metal & Tattoo festival featuring Mushroomhead and many more. Friday June 1: 6PM - 11PM-Silent Theory, Losing September & more Saturday June 2: 11AM - 11PM-featured headliner, Mushroomhead 3 ticket options available TICKET OPTION 1 - Purchase a general admission ticket for ONLY Fri. June 1st TICKET OPTION 2 - Purchase a general admission ticket for ONLY Sat June 2nd TICKET OPTION 3 - Purchase the VIP PIT PASS & come to BOTH days of Metal In The Mountains WV - Includes admission for Fri. AND SAT, a Metal In The Mountains T-Shirt, VIP Lanyard/Pass, access to Pit (front of stage), & drink koozie Tickets are available at http://metalinthemountains.com/ Must be 18 or older to attend NO RE-ENTRY AFTER LEAVING!! T-Shirts will not be sold on day of event. They are only available with the purchase of the VIP 2-Day Pit Pass.
Merry Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Join us for an interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theater created just for Pipestem Spa and Event Center, featuring WVNS/Fox 59 TV Station from Beckley, WV. "Heidi Moore, senior meteorologist, prepares for the six o'clock evening news in the midst of a blizzard just days before the holidays. The general manager of the news station, who was despised by all, is discovered murdered in his office minutes before the broadcast." This will be a wildly entertaining evening of crime-solving that includes: a dinner of smoked turkey and ham, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, mac 'n cheese, salad, dessert, tea, water, and coffee. A Holiday Cocktail Party starts at 6 p.m., with full cash bar and lots of photo ops in a beautiful Winter Wonderland of Lights.
A Night At The North Pole
A Night At The North Pole! -Visit with Santa -Personalized letters from Santa for each child -Chance to take your own pictures with Santa -Christmas story time -Hot cocoa with marshmallows -Decorate cookies -Decorate ornaments -Funnel cakes & warm, soft pretzels -Winter Wonderland of lights & decorations Children 6 years old and younger are encouraged to come from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Children 7 years or older are encouraged to come from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 a piece and include: 1 child & 2 adults; $35 for any additional children; $10 for any additional adults.
2017 TRAC Fall Photography Workshop
Beginner and advanced photographers are invited to the Three Rivers Avian Center (TRAC) in Brooks, WV, for the opportunity to photograph birds of prey during the spring and fall. The next Birds of Prey Photography Workshop is on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Professional photographer Steven Wayne Rotsch and TRAC co-directors Ron and Wendy Perrone offer amateur to professional photographers the opportunity to capture images of West Virginia’s birds of prey in natural settings. About 10, usually shy, birds of prey will be modeling in natural settings for the cameras, including Regis - The Bald Eagle, Hoolie - A Great Horned Owl, Gimli - The American Kestrel, Nick and Harlan - Two Red-tailed Hawks, Dori - The Peregrine Falcon and more will be available during both the morning and afternoon sessions. The difference between the morning and afternoon sessions are the natural settings where the birds are photographed. Choose between either 1/2 day session or the full day (which includes lunch). Photographers of all skill levels will also be able to pick up technical tips during one-on-one sessions with the instructor. The focus of the workshop is photographing the birds. At least (50) fifty-percent of the registration fees will benefit TRAC, a 501( c) 3 nonprofit organization.
Three Rivers Avian Center Spring Photo Workshop
Beginner and advanced photographers are invited to the Three Rivers Avian Center (TRAC) in Brooks, WV, for the opportunity to photograph birds of prey during the spring and fall. The next Birds of Prey Photography Workshop is on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Professional photographer Steven Wayne Rotsch and TRAC co-directors Ron and Wendy Perrone offer amateur to professional photographers the opportunity to capture images of West Virginia’s birds of prey in natural settings. About 10, usually shy, birds of prey will be modeling in natural settings for the cameras, including Regis - The Bald Eagle, Hoolie - A Great Horned Owl, Gimli - The American Kestrel, Nick and Harlan - Two Red-tailed Hawks, Dori - The Peregrine Falcon and more will be available during both the morning and afternoon sessions. The difference between the morning and afternoon sessions are the natural settings where the birds are photographed. Photographers of all skill levels will also be able to pick up technical tips during one-on-one sessions with the instructor. The focus of the workshop is photographing the birds. At least (50) fifty-percent of the registration fees will benefit TRAC, a 501( c) 3 nonprofit organization. •Participants can sign up for the full-day 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. sessions, which includes lunch for $100, or either the morning session from 9 a.m. to noon or the afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $50. •Call Steve at 304-541-7574, email Steve at swrkab@aol.com or logon to www.stevenrotsch.com for more workshop information and a downloadable registration form.
March Southern WV Bald Eagle Survey
Join experts and amateurs alike as we watch and count bald eagles at Bluestone Lake in Summers County and its tributaries. Fun for all ages, many locations to watch from. Registration is encouraged and is free. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras if you have them. If not, no worries, experienced watchers at all locations will share. If you can't make it earlier, meet at the Hinton Dairy Queen at 2:30 PM for a tally wrap-up and discussion of the day.
January Bald Eagle Survey
Join experts and novices alike as we spread out to observe and count Bald Eagles on Bluestone Lake (Summers County) and it's tributaries. Registration is encouraged for this free event. Fun for all ages, bring your binoculars, scopes, cameras if you have them! Experienced watchers will be at every location and are willing to share. Meet after 2:30 at the Hinton Dairy Queen for a tally wrap-up if you can't make it to a site earlier.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest-Pipestem! Classic Blues, Rock and Appalachian Music – Then a Metallica SHOW at night! Advance Tickets! Saturday October 7th 11 AM - 11 PM - $15 Live Bands ALL DAY!! Margo and the Bluegills – Classic Blues Clinton Collins – Appalachian Folk Music Poor Taters – Appalachian Bluegrass JC/BC – Classic Rock Matt Mullins and the Bringdowns – Classic Rock BatterY – #1 Metallica Tribute Show in the World Miss Oktoberfest Contest - $1,000 In Prizes Bourbon Tasting, 60 Different Beers, and Full Cash Bar Meet the Brewers Free Sampler Cup Free Tattoos Food Truck Fest Authentic German Food – Flown in from The “REAL” Bavarian Oktoberfest Visit http://oktoberfest-pipestem-wv.com/ for more info or to purchase your advance tickets. No refunds for any reason; Must be 21 or older to attend.
Festival of the Rivers
Held on Labor Day weekend, Festival of the Rivers is a music festival featuring Grass-roots Appalachian music in celebration of our rivers and railroad culture. Blues, Roots, and Traditional musicians join us to showcase the influence Appalachian music has had on the world. For more information on Festival of the Rivers, visit their website at: cfm-fmh.org.
WV State Water Festival
The West Virginia State Water Festival is a 9 day event in the Historic town of Hinton. Events include but are not limited to: pretty baby contest, dog show, car show, quilt show, arts and crafts events, fishing contest, charity walk, fireman's parade, grand parade, Little Miss Mermaid event, Coronation of the Queen, rubber ducky race, street dance and more! For more information on the Water Festival visit their website at: wvstatewaterfestival.wix.com
John Henry Days
John Henry is a beloved folk hero known for having raced against a steam powered drill to prove worth of using the crew of men rather than machine and to hopefully, preserve the rail workers' jobs. He proudly fought and won the epic battle, only to die in victory with his hammer in his hand. His legend is a reminder that America and all of its successes and advancements were buillt by everyday heroes like John Henry. John Henry Days is an annual 3-day festival held on the second weekend of July. The festival starts on Friday night with a concert at the stage near the Great Bend Tunnel and ends on Sunday with the Rubber Duck Race at the Talcott bridge. For more information on John Henry Days, check out their website at: Johnhenryhistoricalpark.com
Pipestem State Park – EAST RIVER TOWN BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT
East River Mountain Town Band Christmas Concert is an annual Sunday afternoon event at Pipestem State Park featuring Christmas and holiday music performed by the 45 member East River Mountain Town Band of Bluefield, WV and the surrounding area. This concert welcomes everyone and takes place in the Hudkins Conference Center of McKeever Lodge and will begin at 3:00 pm. There is no charge to attend, everyone is welcomed to attend this Sunday in the park program.
Bluestone State Park – FIRST DAY HIKE
A Brisk Bluestone Morning Hike! Take your first step into the New Year with a hike at Bluestone State Park. Meet Superintendent Brett McMillion or Assistant Superintendent Joe Swiney at 9:00 a.m. to embrace the new year with this brisk wintry walk. The superintendent's will focus on Bluestone State Parks history as well and winter aspects such as trees and watchable wildlife. Meet at the park office. Coffee and cocoa awaits upon return. No fee to participate. Open to the public. Wear appropriate outwear and footwear for the weather conditions. Get Outdoors! Explore!
Pipestem State Park – WINTER BALLROOM DANCING WEEKEND
This weekend at Pipestem State Park features ballroom dancing option. The instructors are Alicia Clark and Steve Prowse and the package includes instructional time, two nights and more time for of open dancing, dinner on Saturday. The weekend package also includes two nights lodging at McKeever Lodge. Click the link below to visit Pipestem event page for dance time, lessons, etc. The Saturday evening dance is semi-formal to dressy casual. Dance package without accommodations or meal is $42.40 per person. For two individuals in a lodge room: two nights, instruction Saturday dinner, open dancing is $245.36. Rates available for single room occupancy as well as add-on for triple or quad room occupancy. Call for reservations.
Pipestem State Park – STOCKING STUFFER ART & CRAFT SHOW
Visit Pipestem State Park today and fill your sleigh with gifts that are sure to please everyone on your list or Santa's. Doors open Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in Pipestem's expansive conference center. Over thirty vendors showcasing and selling artisan crafts to sweets and treats – visit and pick up Christmas and holiday cheer gift for friends, family and yourself. Open to the public. No admission charge. Have questions: Call Kim Hawkins or email kimberly.j.hawkins@wv.gov.
Culturefest
Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival is a weekend-long immersion in the creative arts on a magical mountaintop in WV. Culturefest events include but are not limited to: world music, dance, performance art, workshops, artisan vendors, drum circles, Kids' Village, healing arts, camping, community art projects, parade, after hours cabaret, good vibes and beautiful mountain scenery.
Hinton’s Annual Christmas Bazaar
Held the first Saturday in December every year, the Christmas Bazaar rings in the holiday season through live music, great local vendors, a Christmas Parade, Santa Claus, and recognition of Summers County High School's Snow Queen. Door prizes and cash prizes are given out every year as well! For more information, call the City of Hinton at 304-466-3255.
EAGLE SURVEY of the PIPESTEM AREA – Pipestem Restort State Park
An annual survey of the skies and waterways for golden and bald eagles in the Pipestem area. From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. volunteers are assigned stations at various areas to watch and record sightings. Naturalist Julie McQuade will take calls and emails from interested individuals for this survey and compile a contact list for the survey team. The team will then assign survey sites and contact individuals with survey info, maps, etc.; paring novice and avid birders. Individuals wanting meet McQuade at the Pipestem Nature Center and caravan to the Pits at the mouth of the Bluestone River, should meet at 9:00 a.m. The survey is from 10:00am - 2:00pm. The all teams meet at Dairy Queen to compile data. Please contact Julie to indicate participation by January 2, 2017. Jim Phillips, retired naturalist, continues to coordinate this area wide event.