Fairs and festivals are important in West Virginia, not only for the economic impact they have throughout the state but also to provide entertainment and recreational opportunities to residents and visitors. Many distinct and traditional festivals in West Virginia attract many thousands of people each year.
The West Virginia Honey Festival educates the public on the importance of the honeybee and the benefits of honey. The annual event is held in August and includes special events, crafts, entertainment and food, including children's activities, honey and bee displays and demonstrations. A West Virginia State Honey Princess is crowned and the winner attends monthly committee meetings for the festival, other fairs and festivals and appears in local events and parades.
Honey Festival
P.O. Box 2149
Parkersburg, WV 26102
304-481-6941
wvhoneyfestival.org
The Black Walnut Festival is a five-day event held annually in October. The festival, which helps to preserve the state's longstanding tradition of agriculture and rural living, includes many events, such as a 5k nut run and walk, an art show and contest, a baking contest, a band competition, a car show and a nut sweepstakes. Entertainment includes a 4-H and FFA youth livestock show, a carnival, a flea market, a grand parade and a kids parade, live music and a quilt show and contest. Food and concessions are also available.
Black Walnut Festival
116 Court St.
Spencer, WV 25276
304-927-5616
2010.wvblackwalnutfestival.org/bwf/
The West Virginia Freedom Festival is an annual Fourth of July celebration held on Independence Day weekend. The four-day festival includes special events and entertainment, including an animal show, rides and food. The festival has beauty pageants for both single and married women and a parade with floats and decorated cars.
Freedom Festival
4 Terrace Woods
Logan, WV 25601
304-752-4044
wvfreedomfestival.com
The traditional West Virginia Strawberry Festival promotes the strawberry harvest. It is a five-day festival that offers educational and cultural events, such as a carnival, arts and craft exhibits, a quilt show and a photography show, as well as pre-festival pageants and a golf tournament. Visitors can also enjoy the band competition, a car show and a strawberry basket competition, in which baskets are judged on design, originality, creativity and workmanship, then sold at auction.
Strawberry Festival
P.O. Box 117
Buckhannon, WV 26201
304-472-9036
wvstrawberryfestival.com
