So Many Festivals!
Marlinton, WV — One of the things that attracted me to Pocahontas County and West Virginia in general is its rich musical heritage. Imagine how thrilled I was to find that there are so many festivals in Pocahontas County that offer music. I thought I’d re-cap some of them here:
Allegheny Echoes – June 19th – 25th, 2011
Allegheny Echoes is the concept of a group of West Virginia musicians and writers who wish to promote, support, preserve, and teach their own art without distracting influences. Their goal is to provide an accurate representation of West Virginia art that is not packaged and altered to appeal to a specific market. There is a strong emphasis placed on West Virginia tradition with an overall look toward the embracing Appalachian culture. The Summer Workshops offer a chance for students of all ages and abilities to come together to learn, appreciate, and enjoy our West Virginia ways.
Autumn Harvest Festival & Roadkill Cook-off – September 24th,
2011 The West Virginia RoadKill Cook-off is one of the region’s most exciting and fun annual events. In years past, the Food Network, the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel have all done filming of this wild and wacky festival! If you’ve ever wanted to taste exotic dishes like squirrel gravy over biscuits, teriyaki marinated bear or deer sausage, this is the place!
Annual Cranberry Shindig – September 25th, 2011
Traditional Appalachian festival featuring live folk dancing and music. See local arts and crafts including blacksmithing, spinning wheels, homemade syrup, fly tying, homemade soup and many more. Come see the best of Appalachia here at Cranberry on a cool autumn day.
Dunmore Daze – August 19th – 21st, 2011
Three days of down-home country fun! Fri Aug 20th- 4-6pm Spagetti Dinner, 7:00pm Yummiest Looking Cake Contest and Cake Walk Sat Aug 21st 8am Craft sale & Flea Market, 12 noon Parade, 1pm Covered Dish Dinner, Music Fest - 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. 8pm Square Dance Sun Aug 22th 8-11 Old Fashioned Gravy and Biscuit Breakfast at the community center.
Durbin Days Heritage Festival – July 13th – 17th, 2011
Remember the fun times of long ago when you went to fireman’s parade’s and entered your grand daughter in the beauty contest? Well those times are still around in Durbin WV. Come enjoy the fun. Antique car show, carnival, craft show, train rides, a Grand Parade, fireworks, live entertainment and much, much more. This is the one event where people who now live all over the country return to enjoy these special festivities.
Great Greenbrier River Race – April 30th, 2011
The Great Greenbrier River Race is an annual event held the last Saturday in April each year. With great prizes, live music and good food, the event attracts a loyal following of racers and fans. Originally a team event with four members, canoeists, bicyclist and runner, the race has now attracted many people who do it solo. But there is still room for the whole family or the family dog on a team! Kayaks and canoes are both encouraged and many categories encourage prizes for many racers. Proceeds from entry fees and our generous sponsors allow the trail association to sponsor various projects to improve and promote the trail.
Little Levels Heritage Fair – June 24th – 26th, 2011
FREE MUSIC by Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys and the Bill Hefner Family. This year's festival celebrates the music of the famous Hefner Family. Enjoy a three-day event with old time music, gret kids games, and a grand parade. Events also include a barbecue pig roast, arts and crafts, live bluegrass music, a gospel sing and candlelight vespers. This year's events focus on the reknowned musical family, the Hefners. For further information, call 800-336-7009.
Pearl S. Buck Birthday Celebration – June 25th, 2
Beginning at 4:00 p.m.come spend an afternoon at a reception to honor student writers and presenting their awards. Our keynote speaker will be Karen Vuranch who is well-known for portraying Pearl S. Buck as well as Clara Barton, Mother Jones, Belle Starr as well as Mary Draper Ingles. Music will be by our friends Paolo and Erica Marks. All followed by birthday cake and punch to celebrate and remember the birth of Pearl in the Little Levels.
Pioneer Days – July 6th – 10th, 2011
If there is only one festival you can come to this year – this is the one! Three days of fun, frolic and food. Step back to yesterday with friendly people, exceptional artisans, and tasty treats throughout the event. Music, games, and demonstrations highlight the event that many come “back home” to celebrate. Look at all the fun there'll be - crafts, carnival, concessions, flea market, horseshoe pitching, parades, youth events, western comedy drama, contests, demonstrations, antique car show, truck and tractor pull, mud bog, and lots more!
I hope you get out and enjoy them as much as I do!
