May 1-3: 3rd Annual Rally in the Valley, Williamson
304-475-4928; 304-235-5240; tvcc1.natalie@yahoo.com; http://rallyinthevalleywi.wix.com/rallyinthevalley; www.facebook.com/RallyinthevalleywilliamsonWV
This is a family friendly event complete with free concerts, street vendors, poker run, bike games, Miss Rally Contest and an antique car show.
May 1-3: 14th Annual Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering, Bridgeport
304-534-3737; 304-622-2158; http://www.northcentralwestvirginiascottishfestival.com/
The event features pipe bands, professional entertainers, living history presentations, Scottish goods vendors, Scottish country dancing, dancing competitions, piping competitions, sheep herding demonstrations, genealogy assistance and much more.
May 2: 19th Annual Spring Festival, Heritage Farm Museum and Village, Huntington
304-522-1244; 304-544-6948; info@heritagefarmmuseum.com; www.heritagefarmmuseum.com
Experience life as it was in 19th century Appalachia: blacksmithing, sheep shearing, timber sawing, woodworking, printing and many more Appalachian arts. Additionally, there will be eight museums to tour, re-enactors, live animals, petting zoo, food and antiques. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May 2: Engines and Wheels, North Bend State Park, Cairo
304-483-1650; 304-628-3587; www.northbendsp.com
This festival features old fashioned engines and turn-of-the-century industrial, oil field, and farm machinery. Check out the live demonstrations, craft vendors, outdoor grill concessions, a 93R live broadcast, Ritchie County Car Club Cruise-In and much more. All activities take place at the Jug Handle day-use area located by the dam. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May 2: Irish Road Bowling, Coopers Rock State Forest, Bruceton Mills
304-698-9065; 202-387-1680; wdp320@aol.com; www.coopersrockstateforest.com; www.wvirishroadbowling.com
Located near Cheat Lake just minutes off Interstate 68, this 12,713 acre forest is ideal for an Irish Road Bowling event. Similar to golf, Irish Road Bowling is where an iron and steel small cannonball, called a “bowl,” is hurled down a 1.2 mile country lane, with the fewest throws to the finish line winning.
May 2: Nature Scavenger Hunt, Schrader Environmental Education Center at Oglebay Park, Wheeling
304-242-6855; schradercustomerservice@oionline.com; www.oionline.com
Discover more about the natural world as you explore Oglebay Park as a family. The theme will be “Animal Families.” Hours are noon to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
May 2-3: 11th Annual Spring Fest, Treasure Mountain Festival Grounds, Franklin
304-358-3884; www.pendletoncountywv.com/springfest
Spring Fest features a Trout Rodeo and Box Car Derby with prizes up to $400. Additional activities and attractions include a Fish Fry/Chicken Dinner, cake walks, Luray Zoo, amusement rides, square dance and much more.
May 2-3: 11th Annual Spring Gas and Steam Engine Show, WV State Farm Museum, Point Pleasant
304-675-5737; wvsfm@wvfarmmuseum.org; www.wvfarmmuseum.org
Activities and attractions include an antique gas engine show and working saw mill. An antique tractor pull will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. On Sunday a church service will take place at 9 a.m. and a gospel sing at 1:30 p.m. The Country Kitchen and Store will be open.
May 6-9: Rendezvous on the River, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, Parkersburg
304-420-4800; www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com
Muzzleloader and mountain men will be gathering on Blennerhassett Island for their spring rendezvous. Authentic campsites, demonstrations of camp life and period dress will be featured throughout the event.
May 8-10: Martinsburg Heritage Days, Martinsburg
304-267-4434; www.orgsites.com/wv/adam-stephen/_pgg1.php3
Explore the town’s history and enjoy exhibits, tours, demonstrations, vendors, entertainment and activities during this celebration of Martinsburg’s unique past and culture.
May 8-23: Boeing Boeing, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Lewisburg
304-645-3838; 866-888-1411; info@gvtheatre.org; www.gvtheatre.org
Bernard has not one but three fiancées—one Italian, one German and one American – all airline hostesses who frequently fly through Paris to see him. Bernard’s life is humorously thrown off-course when (un)lucky scheduling lands all three women in Paris on the same day. You won’t want to miss the hilarity that ensues.
May 9: Annual West Virginia Marble Collectors Club Marble Show, Comfort Suites, Mineral Wells
304 863 5747; nmorgan50@hotmail.com; www.westvirginiamarblecollectorsclub.com
The show’s goal is to preserve and share marble history. Visitors can view vintage handmade and machine-made marbles, marble memorabilia, and bring their childhood marbles for identification, trading and selling.
May 9: Irish Road Bowling, Kanawha State Forest, Charleston
304-638-3224; 202-387-1680; 304-558-3500; www.wdp320@aol.com; www.wvirishroadbowling.com
This ancient game has been played for more than 300 years on the rural country roads in Ireland and is now brought to you from the green hills of West Virginia. The 9,300-acre Kanawha State Forest is a recreational haven and is noted among naturalists for its diverse wildflower and bird populations.
May 9: National Train Day, Martinsburg Roundhouse, Martinsburg
304-260-4141; 304-264-8801; mark@travelwv.com; www.travelwv.com
Planned activities include Roundhouse tours, model train displays, vendors specific to the train industry, Operation Lifesaver presentations, train tours, Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge class and much more!
May 9: Mother’s Day Dinner Train, Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Elkins
877-686-7245; www.mountainrailwv.com
Spend the entire weekend with Mom and start with a dinner on the Mountain Explorer Dinner Train. Enjoy a wonderful four-course dinner in route to the High Falls of Cheat. The trip departs at 5 p.m. and includes a free souvenir wine glass and gift for Mom.
May 9: St. Albans Founders Day, Main Street, St. Albans
304-727-5972; stalbanshistory1@aol.com; www.stalbanshistory.com/Founders_Day.html
Founders Day celebrates the history of St. Albans and helps promote business. Activities will include a parade beginning at 10 a.m., re-enactors, many food booths, and more than 40 vendors.
May 9-17: 2015 West Virginia Strawberry Festival, Buckhannon
304-472-9036; info@WVStrawberryFestival.com; www.wvstrawberryfestival.com; https://www.facebook.com/WVStrawberryFestival
One of the state’s largest and oldest festivals honors the strawberry harvest. Activities include a carnival, arts and craft exhibits, quilt show, a photography show, Main Street and Courthouse entertainment, band competition, car show, parades and a strawberry auction. Irish Road Bowling will take place May 16-17.
May 14-17: 28th Annual Greenbrier Trail Bike Trek—Snowshoe to Anthony
304-342-6600 ext. 314; http://greenbrierwv.com/events/detail/28th_greenbrier_river_trail_bike_trek
This is a three-day, 100-mile ride on the Greenbrier River Trail, one of America’s premier rails-to-trails. Trekkers will begin with a ride off Snowshoe Mountain and spend three days peddling along the Greenbrier River. Cyclists with varying levels of experience are invited to participate—beginners are welcome!
May 15-17: Railfan Weekend, Cass Depot, Cass
877-686-7245; 800-336-7009; info@msrlha.org; ticketinfo@mountainrail.com www.msrlha.org
The Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Association is partnering with the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad to offer three unique trips this year. The highlight of the weekend will be the return of a steam freight train on the scenic trackage between Cheat Bridge and Spruce.
May 15-17: Siege of Fort Randolph, Krodel Park, Point Pleasant
304-675-7933; chesson1774@suddenlink.net; www.fortrandolph.org
In May of 1778, a war party of more than 200 Shawnee warriors surrounded Fort Randolph and began a weeklong siege. This encampment and re-enactment includes life skills demonstrations, Indian Blanket Trade, “Siege of Fort Randolph” outdoor drama, running of the gauntlet, and a 10 a.m. Sunday morning church service.
