15 Fun Fall Festivals

By Amy Arnett 

It’s almost autumn—a time when the leaves change, the air gets crisp and apples and pumpkins come into season. West Virginia is a great location for celebrating the season, and we’re in no short supply of fall fest opportunities. Here, we have selected 15 notable festivals that provide an excuse to get out, see the foliage and maybe even eat some tasty treats.

Golden Delicious Festival 
Clay • September 19-22
www.claygoldendeliciousfestival.com

The Grimes Golden Delicious Apple was discovered in Clay County in the late 1800s on the Mullins farm. The Golden Delicious Apple was declared the state fruit of West Virginia in 1955, and since 1972, Clay County has held the Golden Delicious Festival, which features an antique car show, art auction, Golden Delicious-only baking contest, 5K, parade, pig roast and shows held at the local theater.

45th Annual Treasure Mountain Festival
Franklin • September 19-22
www.treasuremountainfestival.com

This year marks the 45th Annual Treasure Mountain Festival. Held in Franklin, WV, the theme will be “The Treasure That Is Pendleton County.” Each year, attendees witness the re-enactment of the burning of Fort Seybert, in addition to a grand parade, quilt show, tea and dinner and arts and crafts. This year’s festival will include the production of “Red Velvet Cake War” at the Smith Creek Playhouse.

12th Annual Mothman Festival
Point Pleasant • September 20-22
www.mothmanfestival.com

As one of West Virginia’s foremost sources of notoriety and fame among conspiracy enthusiasts, the Mothman has earned an annual festival held in Point Pleasant, WV. According to festival organizers, the attendance now tops 4,000 visitors each year, all of whom can speak with eyewitnesses, see the statue and visit important landmarks in Point Pleasant.

West Virginia Storytelling Festival 
Prickett’s Fort State Park • September 26-27
www.prickettsfort.org 

Storytelling is an art form that has been passed down for many generations and through many cultures. At Prickett’s Fort, festival guests join the West Virginia Storytelling Guild for workshops on how to tell stories, as well as the chance to hear some excellent tales.

West Virginia Molasses Festival 
Arnoldsburg • September 26-28

This sweet festival celebrates the art of molasses-making, complete with demonstrations. In addition to sugary spectacles, this Calhoun County festival has exhibits, craft shows, a parade and a chicken barbecue.

Preston County Buckwheat Festival
Kingwood • September 26-29
www.buckwheatfest.com

For 72 years, visitors at the Buckwheat Festival have enjoyed several activities in celebration of the agricultural heritage of the Mountain State. Buckwheat was a staple when the festival was formed and remains so today. Guests attend the festival to enjoy a traditional feast of buckwheat pancakes and sausage, but they stay to participate in all of the other activities.

Volcano Days 
Waverly • September 27-29
www.mountwoodpark.org

Volcano, WV, a former oil boom town, is the subject of Waverly’s Volcano Days. Held annually, the festival celebrates the oil and machinery heritage of Ritchie and Wood counties. Former residents of Volcano gather to reminisce and share the history of the area with newcomers and veteran attendees alike.

West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off
Marlinton • September 28
www.pccocwv.com

This humorous festival in Pocahontas County requires that cook-off participants use meat of animals one would typically see as roadkill, including raccoon, opossum, squirrel, rabbit and deer.

Capon Bridge Founders Day
Capon Bridge • September 28-29
www.cbfoundersdayfestival.com

This Hampshire County festival emphasizes the importance of the history of our region, as well as our nation. With history demonstrations from figures like Mary Todd Lincoln, Stonewall Jackson, Belle Boyd and Mark Twain, visitors will get a glance into the past while experiencing the best of today in Capon Bridge. Arts and crafts, archery and BB gun ranges, an animal park and live entertainment are all offered during the festival.

77th Mountain State Forest Festival 
Elkins • September 28-October 6
www.forestfestival.com

The Mountain State Forest Festival boasts being the largest and oldest festival in the state. Each year, the grand parade, competitions of all varieties, rides and entertainment and the coronation of Queen Sylvia draw guests from all over the state and beyond. This year, Queen Sylvia LXXVII will reign over the festivities, which have become a West Virginia tradition and a highlight for Elkins residents.

West Virginia Pumpkin Festival
Milton • October 3-6
www.wvpumpkinpark.com

The West Virginia Pumpkin Festival was originally held to help area farmers show and sell their pumpkins and produce. Today, the festival includes a bake-off, where entries must include a minimum of one cup of pumpkin; a parade; a beauty pageant and the annual Pumpkin Run 5K.

October Sky Rocket Boys Festival 
Beckley • October 4-6
www.rocketboysfestival.com

In 1960, the Rocket Boys of Coalwood, WV, won a gold medal at the National Science Fair for their rockets. This festival, now moved to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mines, celebrates the bravery and determination of a small group of southern boys inspired by the 1950s space race. Visitors can tour the coal mines, visit exhibits and meet four of the Rocket Boys themselves: Billy Rose, Jim O’Dell Carroll, Roy Lee Cooke and Homer Hickam.

59th Annual Black Walnut Festival
Spencer • October 10-13
www.wvblackwalnutfestival.org

Roane County is a quiet, rural area that creates quite the stir for their annual Black Walnut Festival. This event features glass blowing demonstrations, beauty pageants, a carnival, flower show and, of course, the annual nut sweepstakes, where an award is given for the best specimen of hickory and black walnuts from around West Virginia.

Burgoo Cook-Off
Webster Springs • October 12
www.visitwebsterwv.com

Held Columbus Day weekend, the Webster Springs Burgoo Cook-Off is a festival for those who enjoy a hearty, autumn meal. Burgoo is a well-seasoned stew made with fresh meats and vegetables. The cook-off also includes an apple pie contest, apple butter making, live music and entertainment and a scarecrow contest.

18th Annual Bramwell Oktoberfest
Bramwell • October 12
www.bramwelloktoberfest.com

West Virginia’s own slice of a German tradition, the Bramwell Oktoberfest, brings the best in beer to Mercer County. Bramwell, known as the “Home of the Millionaires,” also offers tours of their historic district and excellent live music, including country, bluegrass, jazz and folk, during the festival.