Adventure Advisory: Celebrate Fall
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/.
Oct. 1-3: Rocket Boys Festival, Beckley
304-256-1747; 304-992-9085; williamscotthill@rocketmail.com; info@beckleymine.com; www.rocketboysfestival.com; https://www.beckley.org/exhibition_coal_mine/
Held at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, this festival features arts and crafts, live music, food, personal appearances by the Rocket Boys, and a rocket launch from New River Park’s launch pad. New additions this year include a 5K &10K race as well as a fun “Rocket” run.
Oct. 1-4: West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, Milton
304-638-1633; nanabrooks@suddenlink.net; www.wvpumpkinpark.com; https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Virginia-Pumpkin-Festival/269216247733
The festival features a variety of activities aimed at great family fun, including more than 100 skilled artisans displaying juried crafts, great food, mountain men encampment, special exhibits and demonstrations, live music, a beauty pageant, bake-offs and more.
Oct. 2-3: Huntersville Traditions Day, Marlinton
800-336-7009; www.pocahontascountywv.com
Step back in time to explore living-history demonstrations and activities, including apple butter making, sorghum making, soap making, corn meal grinding, wool spinning,pony rides, old-time music, dance, and more.
Oct. 2-4: 32nd Annual Middle Island Harvest Festival, Tyler County Fairgrounds, Middlebourne
304-758-4932; 304-758-2349; www.tylercountyfair.org
Activities and attractions include arts and crafts, a carnival, livestock exhibit, performances by Zerbini Family Circus, live music, mud bog, demolition derby, sorghum and corn meal grinding demonstrations, ATV Races, car/truck show, Saturday night fireworks and more.
Oct. 2-4: Battle Days and All Nations Drum, Point Pleasant
304-593-6055; 304-675-0869; tourism@masoncounty.org; www.masoncountytourism.org
This living-history event details the Battle of Point Pleasant and 1700s- era living. A “History in the Round” Lantern Tour will take place Friday. Saturday’s activities include a parade at 11 a.m. and a Native American drum performance at 5 p.m. A Colonial Ball will take place Saturday night at the American Legion hall.
Oct. 2-4: OglebayFest and Ohio County Country Fair, Wheeling
800-624-6988; 304-234-3673; www.oglebay-resort.com; www.ohiocountycountryfair.org
Attractions include arts and crafts, entertainment, food, fireworks and a parade. OglebayFest is held in conjunction with the Ohio County Country Fair, which features arts and craft demonstrations, a baked goods auction, hog calling contest, pony pull, antique farm equipment display, and more.
Oct. 2-4: Ravenswood Octoberfest, Ravenswood
304-273-2293; mike@ravenswoodoctoberfest.com; ljh1@suddenlinkmail.com; www.ravenswoodoctoberfest.com; https://www.facebook.com/RAVENSWOOD-OCTOBERFEST-103348653034605/
Held at Riverfront Park, this event features concerts by national and local entertainers, contests, crafts, APWA Wrestling and a parade. Children’s activities include inflatables, face painting and a petting zoo.
Oct. 3: 11th Annual Chili Cook-off, Martinsburg
304-262-4200; rlewis@mainstreetmartinsburg.com; www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com
Guests will have the opportunity to sample some great chili. Activities for the whole family include crafts, live music, games and more.
Oct. 3: Southern West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, Bluefield City Youth Center, Bluefield
304-589-3317; 304-325-8438; nameli@ft.newyorklife.com; www.sonsofitaly.com; www.visitmercercounty.com
This festival celebrates the rich history of Italian immigrants in Southern West Virginia. The event features authentic Italian food and live entertainment.
Oct. 3-4: Burlington Old-Fashioned Apple Harvest Festival, Burlington
800-969-0079; 304-788-2342; amyers@bumfs.org; www.bumfs.org
This free event features Burlington’s famous old-fashioned apple butter, live entertainment, fiddle and banjo contest, craft and food vendors, parade, antique auto/tractor/small engine show, and fireworks.
Oct. 3-31: Apolloween, Martinsburg
304-263-6766; info@apolloween.com; www.apolloween.com
Spooky activities and attractions include the Haunted Theatre, paranormal investigations, a Monster Bash and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Check website for dates of each event.
Oct. 8-11: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival, Spencer
304-927-5616; dlrunnion@suddenlinkmail.com; www.wvbwf.com
Activities and attractions include but are not limited to: 5K Nut Run/Walk, baking contest, band competition, car show, carnival, craft show, 9/11 Traveling Memorial, live music, kids day parade, food court and much more.
Oct. 8-12: 2015 Hatfield-McCoy National Trailfest, Gilbert
304-664-3477; 304-664-9625; thetownofgilbert@frontier.com; www.trailsheaven.com
The Hatfield-McCoy National Trailfest event is one of the premier UTV, ATV, and dirt bike riding events across the country. There will be tons of daily and nightly entertainment to view as well as participate in. Most Trailfest packages also include catered meals, T-shirt and raffles.
Oct. 9-10: Appalachian Heritage Festival, Shepherdstown
304-876-2786; svc@shepherdstown.info; https://shepherdstown.info/calendar-of-events/
Celebrate the Appalachian region with a weekend full of dance, music, and traditional culture. Friday will feature school visits by the artists, a storytelling showcase, and an old-time community square dance. Saturday’s schedule includes a poetry and stories program and a showcase concert. The event is held in conjunction with Freedom’s Run featuring a Kid’s Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or full Marathon.
Oct. 9-10: Blennerhassett Island Mansion by Candlelight, Parkersburg
304-420-4800; www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park takes on a new look when hundreds of candles light the way from the sternwheeler landing to the mansion and other activities on the park. Sternwheeler rides will transport you back to the year 1805 where the Blennerhassetts are hosting a party on the island. Reservations are required.
Oct. 9-11: 23rd Annual Wetzel County Autumnfest, Wetzel County 4-H Grounds, New Martinsville
304-775-2870; www.wetzelcountyautumnfest.org
The festivities get underway on Friday with a health fair complete with free screenings in the Mollohan Center, a pumpkin decorating contest, scarecrow contest, live music and an apple pie contest. Saturday’s activities include a tractor show and gas engine show. Each day will feature vendors, crafters, flea market, apple butter and apple cider.
Oct. 9-11: Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Mullens
304-294-4000; https://www.twinfallsresort.com/calendar.html
Twin Falls in southern West Virginia presents a weekend of bluegrass music, food, arts and crafts, and a woodsman competition. Resort amenities and attractions include golf, swimming, and a restored 1830s-era pioneer farm.
Oct. 9-11: Prickett’s Fort Christmas in October, Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont
304-363-3030; https://www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/events.html
Artisans and craftsman will demonstrate and feature their work in the Fort’s Visitor Center as well as the grounds surrounding the historic fort. A tour of the fort will be offered with costumed interpreters throughout the weekend. Regular admission applies for tours of the historic fort and Job Prickett House. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Oct. 10: 20th Annual Bramwell Oktoberfest, Bramwell
304-248-8004; 304-248-7114; gvsitler@hotmail.com; www.bramwelloktoberfest.com
The Bramwell Oktoberfest is known for its fine food, beer samples and excellent live musical entertainment – with traditional folk, blues, bluegrass and alternative artists performing throughout the day.
Oct. 10: Irish Road Bowling, Holly River State Park, Hacker Valley
304-493-6353; www.wvirishroadbowling.com
An iron and steel small cannonball called a “bowl” is hurled down a 1.2 mile country lane. The fewest throws to the finish line wins – similar to golf.
Oct. 10: Morgan’s Kitchen Fall Festival, St. Albans
304-727-5972; stalbanshistory1@aol.com; www.stalbanshistory.com/morgans-kitchen.html
Activities include apple butter making, cabin tours, displays, pioneer re-enactors, old time music and food. Free to the public.
Oct. 10-11: Annual Apple Butter Festival, Berkeley Springs State Park and Berkeley Springs
304-258-2711; https://www.berkeleyspringssp.com/events.html; https://www.facebook.com/AppleButterFestivalWV?fref=nf
This town-wide event features everything from traditional crafts and antiques to home canned goods and mountain cooking. A farmer’s market will feature locally grown produce and a Uniquely West Virginia section will feature wine, honey and other shelved goods from all over the state.
Oct.10-11: The Battle at Droop Mountain, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, Hillsboro
304-653-4254; https://www.droopmountainbattlefield.com/events.html
The West Virginia Re-enactors Association invites you to the re-enactment of the Battle of Droop Mountain. The original battle fought on November 6, 1863 pitted General John Echols’ Confederates controlling the Greenbrier Valley against General William Averell’s Federals advancing from the north. The event is open to the general public to view without charge.
Oct. 15-18: 36th Annual Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival, Martinsburg
304-263-2500; info.msahf@gmail.com; www.msahf.com
This annual celebration features include arts and crafts, agricultural events, parade, food and much 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