Best of July in WV

Summer is just now heating up! Here is a sampling of some of the great events taking place in the Mountain State this month.

1. John Henry Days

July 8-10, 2016
The community of Talcott pays tribute to the legendary steel-drivin’ man at this annual festival. The long weekend begins Friday with live music at the Great Bend Tunnel (bring a lawn chair!) and finishes Sunday with a rubber duck race at the Talcott Bridge Boat Launch.

There’s also a 4-mile run and a 1-mile fun walk, parade and of course West Virginia crafts and food vendors.

2. Glass Fest

July 8-10, 2016
Appalachian Glass in Weston celebrates one of West Virginia’s most treasured skills—the art of glass making. Come watch demonstrations of glassblowing, etching and sandblasting. The West Virginia American Marble Association will have a marble tournament, and there will be plenty of food vendors to choose from at Glass Fest.

Costumes at a West Virginia theater

3. Contemporary American Theater Festival

July 8-31, 2016
Now in its 25th year, Shepherd University’s theater festival showcases American playwrights with 5 new plays that deal with contemporary issues. Since it began, CATF has produced more than 100 new plays, including 40 world premieres, and attracted an audience from all over the world.

4. Summer Music Festival

July 9, 2016
Alpine Lake Resort has 4 great bands— The Hillbilly Gypsies, The Terah Crawford Band, Surrender Dorothy and Brother Short Band! Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and grab some food and drinks at the Summer Music Festival.

Make a weekend of it and book a room or cottage; overnight guests have access to the lake for fishing and swimming, as well as use of the fitness center, miniature golf and other activities.

Banjo, guitar, and bass players, West Virginia

5. Durbin Days Heritage Festival

July 13-17, 2016
Durbin’s annual celebration is chock-full of fun things to see and do. Enjoy the tug-o-war, greased pig chase, karaoke, pet show, car show and 5K race, or special events like the Fireman’s Parade on Friday and the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday. There’s also live music and a carnival.

6. Capitol Market ON TAP!

July 16, 2016
Charleston’s Capitol Market ON TAP! will showcase a variety of local and regional microbreweries, including Big Timber Brewing Company. Sip from a commemorative sampler mason jar and enjoy live music by the Voodoo Katz. You can also buy local foods at this event in Charleston.

Italian pizza and heritage, West Virginia

7. Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival

July 22-24, 2016
Wheeling Heritage Port’s annual celebration of the area’s rich Italian heritage is the 2nd largest Italian heritage festival in the U.S.! Enjoy a variety of live music and dancing, cooking contests, and of course lots of great food— all around the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge.

8. MountainFest

July 27-31, 2016
Ride down for live music, stand up comedy acts, motorcycle stunt shows, motorcycle field games, a custom bike show and the MountainFest Parade of Bikes at this popular rally in Morgantown’s Mylan Park. Of course there will also be plenty of food vendors, and don’t miss out on the 100-mile Poker Run on Wild, Wonderful West Virginia’s winding mountain roads!

Find more events on our calendar or contact a Wild, Wonderful West Virginia Adventure Advisor at 800-225-5982.

This post was last updated on March 16, 2022