June 4-7: An Avian Celebration, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Davis
304-866-4121; www.canaanresort.com
Canaan Valley Birding Festival welcomes all levels of birders and nature lovers. Canaan Valley, because of its diverse high elevation boreal habitat, serves as the breeding ground for many neotropical birds.
June 5: Free Friday Night Outdoor Concert: Simple Gifts, Prickett’s Fort State Park Amphitheater, Fairmont
304-363-3030; www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/
Simple Gifts pulls from a variety of ethnic folk styles, creating original compositions with traditional style. The duo performs on violins, concertina, mandolin, banjolin, recorders, bowed psaltery, hammered dulcimer, baritone fiddle, guitar, piano, and percussion. Hours are 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
June 5: Point Park Music Series Dinner Cruise – Tribute to the Eagles, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, Parkersburg
304-420-4800; www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com/
Enjoy a relaxing ride on board the Island Belle sternwheeler and a delicious meal while paddling down the Ohio River. Complete your evening of fun at the downtown Parkersburg Point Park Music Series Concert after dinner. Reservations are required. Cruise price: $25 adult; $21 youth ages 3-12.
June 5-6: Elk River Fest and Elk River Challenge, Clay
304-587-2949; 304-587-4166; http://claywvbda.org
This year’s Fest will be held in conjunction with the Elk River Triathlon and the grand opening of the Buffalo Creek Recreational Trail, a self-guided, 22-mile hiking, biking and horseback riding trail. Free events include “Anything That Floats But a Boat” race, “Catapult Catfish” contest, wheelbarrow race and hammering contests.
June 5-6: Mountain Music Festival, Ace Adventure Resort, Minden
800-787-3982; http://www.mountainmusicfestwv.com/
Mountain Music Festival brings the spirit of Appalachia to life through music and wilderness. This year’s headline acts are the Del McCoury Band, Papadosio, Keller Williams and the Larry Keel Experience. A variety of tickets are available, from single-day, show only, to weekend passes that include dining and other activities .
June 5-7: Family Trails Day Weekend, North Bend State Park, Cairo
304-643-2931; www.northbendsp.com
Celebrate National Trails Day by hiking on one of the many unique trails in North Bend State Park. Guided hikes will be provided. The park accesses the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, which runs from Parkersburg to Wolf Summit, near Clarksburg.
June 6: 14th Annual Ranson Festival and 5th Annual Car Show, Ranson
304-724-3862; 304-725-1010; www.ransonwv.us
This fun-filled and family friendly event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include music, food, car show, and a wide variety of vendors. Children’s activities include face painting, free pony rides and free moon bounces.
June 6: Bramwell Spring Tour of Homes, Bramwell
304-248-8381; 304-589-0246; www.visitmercercounty.com; www.visitbramwell.com
Historic interpreters at each site will regale visitors with stories of the early pioneers and their families. Hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are purchased the day of the tour at the Bramwell Presbyterian Church for $15.
Jun. 6: 10-mile Bluestone Turnpike Hike – It’s National Trails Day, Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800; www.pipestemresort.com
Ride the tram to meet on the patio of Mountain Creek Lodge for this 10 mile hike from Pipestem State Park to Bluestone State Park. Bring good shoes, a light lunch (sandwiches and such), and plenty of water. Start time is 10 a.m. A shuttle will return hikers to Pipestem around 4 p.m. Sign up for this hike to ensure enough room on the shuttle.
June 6: Nature Walk – “All About Birds,” Blennerhassett State Park, Parkersburg
304-420-4800; http://www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com/
At least 14 species of birds are adapted to life along the Ohio River. Participants will learn bird characteristics through physical descriptions and scavenger-like clues including the food that birds eat. The walk begins at 2 p.m. and concludes around 3:15 p.m.
June 6: A Saturday Hike, Chief Logan Lodge, Logan
304-855-6100; www.chiefloganlodge.com
It’s National Trails Day! Weather permitting, participants will meet at the front desk at Chief Logan Lodge at 10 a.m., then take a hike to learn about the wildlife and diversity in our area.
June 6: Summers County K.I.D.S. presents “Shrek, Jr.,” Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800; www.pipestemresort.com
Youth from schools in Summers County perform this dramatic stage performance. Show begins at 8 p.m. at Pipestem Outdoor Amphitheater.
June 6: White Oak Trail Expo, Oak Hill
304-465-5617; www.newrivergorgecvb.com; mandy@officialbridgeday.com
This event includes 180 craft and food vendors, music, and giveaways along the White Oak Trail in Oak Hill. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 6-7: Antique Quilt Show, Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont
304-363-3030; www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/
Come and view some of the finest area antique quilts on display at the Prickett’s Fort Visitor Center. This program will kick off a weeklong quilting bee provided by area volunteer quilters from the Marion County area. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 .p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
June 6-7: Victorian Home and Garden Tour and Tea, Julia-Ann Square Historic District, Parkersburg
304-422-9861; 304-485-7184; http://juliannsquare.org
This year five lovely Historical District home gardens, along with a Victorian garden tea, are the featured attractions. The theme is “The Verandahs of Julia-Ann Square.” Two popular historical re-enactment events taking place in nearby Riverview Cemetery will also be included. Hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
June 6-7: Steam Weekend, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
866-460-7265; www.cassrailroad.com
Celebrate geared logging locomotive history. Pocahontas County is home to the mighty Shays, a Heisler, and an Old $3 Climax logging locomotive. Each one is different, yet each played a similar role in our Appalachian logging and railroading history. Excursions will be available on all three locomotive types throughout the weekend.
June 9: Hearth Cooking Demo, Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont
304-363-3030; www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/
Come tour the fort and smell the food cooking over an open hearth—the way it was prepared during the colonial period of our history. Recipes will be available upon request. Regular admission applies.
June 11: Brunch with Margaret Blennerhassett, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, Parkersburg
304-420-4800; http://www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com/
It’s a morning with Margaret over brunch. Margaret, portrayed by Carolina Alvarez, asks her guests to arrive at the Museum of Regional History at 9 a.m. for a 10 a.m. sternwheeler departure to Blennerhassett Island. The brunch ticket includes the museum, boat, mansion tour, brunch, 1st-person interpretive program and wagon ride.
June 12-13: 14th Annual Greek Food Festival, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Clarksburg
304-624-5331; 304-622-2157; http://www.stspyridon.wv.goarch.org
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy Greek food, music, dancing, cultural items, books and souvenirs.
June 12-14: 2015 Levels of Legacy Home and Garden Tour
304-645-3398; director@greenbrierhistorical.org www.society.greenbrierhistorical.org
Visit beautiful homes and working farms on this town and country tour in Greenbrier County. Hours are 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
June 11-14: Ronceverte River Festival, Ronceverte
304-647-7400; 304-647-5455; http://www.cityofronceverte.com/event-calendar/;
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ronceverte-River-Festival/179732622068090;
This free three-day festival features a parade, carnival, food, arts and craft fair, river games, bike and car show, live music, fireworks and much more.
June 13: The Gospel Harmony Boys, Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800; www.pipestemresort.com
For 62 years, the Gospel Harmony Boys have performed together. They were the first gospel quartet to ever appear on live network television as guests of Dave Garroway on NBC’s “Today Show” in 1952. These music pioneers are as full of life and music today as ever.
June 13: Nature Hike, Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton
304-265-6144; www.tygartlake.com/
Meet at 10 a.m. at the Nature Center for a guided hike. Guides are Master Naturalists Gary Niezgoda and Dorothy Hood.
June 13-14: Intro to Outdoor Adventure, North Bend State Park, Cairo
304-643-2931; www.northbendsp.com
Mountain Bike Clinic (equipment not included) includes three sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours. Topics covered include riding safely, basic maintenance, motor efficiency, and skill development. Kayak Clinics (equipment included) include one 2-hour training session and one future free rental. Basic instructions for flatwater kayaking include boats and equipment, getting started skill development, and different points of view.
June 14: Art in the Park, Berkeley Springs State Park, Berkeley Springs
304-258-6419; www.berkeleyspringssp.com
In its ninth year, Art in the Park provides access to fine artists located in the Berkeley Springs region. Nationally known local artists exhibit at this event. Shows are rain or shine; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. across the street from the Farmers Market. Events are organized and sponsored by an arts group; find more information on Facebook at Art in the Park WV.
June 14: Father’s Day Lunch and Tour, Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont
304-363-3030; www.prickettsfort.org
The event includes a light lunch and refreshments followed by a tour of the 18th-century reconstructed fort and the 19th-century Job Prickett House. Lunch and tour $20. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. Seating is limited so please RSVP.
June 14: West Virginia Birthday Celebration and Concert in the Park, Kanawha State Forest, Charleston
304-558-3500; http://www.kanawhastateforest.com/events.html
Come celebrate West Virginia’s birthday in the forest and enjoy the concert by the Kanawha Valley Community Band. Birthday cake provided. No charge but donations are appreciated.
