CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — There are several events and special activities happening over the next week for West Virginia’s birthday on June 20. Here’s a few weekend and day-of events to check out.
Morgantown’s WV Birthday Party
This free, family-friendly event is held every year in downtown Morgantown. According to a press release from Main Street Morgantown, the party is happening on Saturday, June 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s party will include a beer garden, Kids’ Zone, vendors, a vintage market and live music by Ryan Cain & the Ables, Grace Campbell, and Adrian & the Soul Miners. The event is free, but beer garden tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance online here. Additional information is available on Main Street Morgantown’s website.
Official West Virginia Day Celebration
In a West Virginia Day celebration in Charleston on June 20, Gov. Jim Justice and his wife, Cathy, will announce the winner of the Great West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce Cook-Off. The event is hosted by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History and will be held at the State Capitol and Culture Center. Starting at 10:30 a.m., there will be a mural dedication, music and a cutting of the West Virginia birthday cake.
WV Coal Festival
The West Virginia Coal Festival in Madison runs from Thursday, June 19 to Sunday, June 22. It will have live music, vendors, a cornhole tournament, Mullet Showdown, pet contest and pie eating contest. Although not specifically a West Virginia Day event, what’s more West Virginian that a festival celebrating an industry the state was built from? Additional details are available on the event website.
Meagher’s WV Day Cocktails
If you’re not looking for a specific event, Meagher’s Irish Pub in Bridgeport is celebrating West Virginia Day throughout the month of June with special cocktails, including the Mothman Old Fashion with Mothman simple syrup and walnut bitters, the Apple Butter Fizz made with apple butter syrup, the Strawberry Festival Sangria, the Mountaineer Mule made with blueberry puree, The Kanawha, the Almost Heaven Martini, the West VirGINia and Tonic made with blueberry rosemary syrup, and the Black Bear Fizz made with blackberry puree. For more details, check out Meagher’s Facebook page.
WV State Folk Festival
This festival in Glenville celebrates West Virginians’ pioneer history and culture from Thursday, June 20 to Sunday, June 23. Activities will have a small town West Virginia feel and include Appalachian craft shows, gospel sings and banjo and fiddle contests. Click here for more information.
WV Birthday Train Trip
The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad in Romney, West Virginia is celebrating both West Virginia Day and National American Eagle Day on June 20 with short, one-hour train trips for $13. The trip promises “engaging and memorable experience for participants of all ages.” Lucky riders might even see a bald eagle or other West Virginia wildlife. To reserve a ticket or for more information, visit the Potomac Eagle website and click “Book Now.”
Cass Scenic Railroad in Pocahontas County is also offering train rides through the West Virginia Mountain Rails on June 20, but they are just the usual trips.
Blenko WV Day Pieces
If you’re looking for an exclusive piece of West Virginia art, this year’s West Virginia Day pieces by Blenko Glass Company are inspired by the Green Bank Telescope, including a limited edition white charger that looks like the largest movable radio telescope, an alien-inspired decanter and a Green Bank Telescope suncatcher. The 161 “Wavelength” charger pieces will be sold in an online auction at noon on Saturday, June 15, and the decanter and suncatcher can be preordered online here.
