The Adventure Advisory, prepared and distributed by Wild, Wonderful West Virginia, highlights some of the many activities happening across the Mountain State. Additional listings are posted at www.GoToWV.com. Event organizers and promoters are encouraged to submit items electronically at http://GoToWV.com/partners/.
April 15-16: Wild Edibles Festival, Hillsboro
304-799-4766; http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/events/1451/2016/april/wild-edibles-festival
Learn about foraged foods that are both delicious and “good for what ails you.” Attend workshops on fine dining with wild edibles, medicinal botanic nutrition, or go on leisurely walks led by seasoned foraging experts to try your hand at identifying wild edible plants. Pre-registration is encouraged.
April 16: West Virginia Food Truck Festival, Hurricane
304-389-4574 ; dhurley@putnamcountycvb.com; http://www.wvfoodtruckfestival.com/
Get ready to chow down and get groovy at the first ever West Virginia Food Truck Festival! Live music and craft brews round out this tasty celebration of the Mountain State’s favorite food trucks. Admission: $23, Admission + Brewery Tent Ticket: $35. (Must be age 21 or older to purchase tickets to the Brewery Tent.)
April 16: Uniquely West Virginia Wine and Food Festival, Berkeley Springs
800-447-8797; tbs@berkeleysprings.com; http://www.berkeleysprings.com/uniquely-west-virginia-wine-food-festival
Treat your taste buds to some of West Virginia’s most unique flavors. Sip on vintage wine samples from seven West Virginia wineries, each with a special spin on the art of winemaking. Sample and buy your favorite West Virginia-grown produce and meet the friendly folks that grow them.
April 16: Wildflower Hike, Chief Logan State Park, Logan
304-792-7125; chieflogansp@wv.gov; http://www.chiefloganstatepark.com/events.html
Register for the 33rd Annual Wildflower Hike to spot some of spring’s best wildflowers and blooms. This is a perfect opportunity for individuals enrolled in the 2016 Chief’s Challenge to earn some miles! The guided hike, beginning at 9 a.m., is free and open to the public, but registration in advance is encouraged.
April 16-17: Irish Road Bowling, Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
304-466-1800; pipestemsp@wv.gov
Take on one of the state’s very best Irish Road Bowling roads, surrounded by a beautiful spring color palette at Pipestem Resort State Park. This ancient game has been played for more than 300 years on country roads in Ireland, but it’s now a popular staple along the country roads of West Virginia!
April 17: All Aboard! at the Historic Alpine Theatre, Ripley
304-514-2609; Director@VisitRipleyWV.com; http://visitripleywv.com/calendar/?cid=all&mc_id=1853
The Jackson County Historical Society and the Ripley CVB team up to bring railroad history to life. Enjoy a presentation on the old Ripley & Mill Creek Valley and Ravenswood, Spencer & Glenville lines. Musician and actor Mick Souter will round out the afternoon with “All Aboard the Iron Horse” songs and stories.
April 18: Penitentiary Photography Tour, Moundsville
304-845-6200; http://www.wvpentours.com/announcements/photography-tour Professionals, amateurs, artists, and everyone in between are welcome to roam the West Virginia Penitentiary for a photography tour. You’ll even have access to areas of the prison not open to the public on a regular basis. Tickets are $100 per person and should be pre-purchased online.
April 23: Tea Social at Pricketts Fort State Park, Fairmont
304-363-3030; info@prickettsfort.org; http://www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/events.html
Take part in a classic British tradition that Americans enthusiastically adopted in the mid 19th century, bringing forth a revival of afternoon tea and socialization. Tea and refreshments will be served at the Job Prickett House from noon to 1p.m. Seating will be limited so please RSVP. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors (60 and up), $4 children 6-12, 5 and under free.
April 23: Chocolate Fest & Book Faire, Martinsburg
304-262-4200; http://www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com/chocolate-fest-book-faire/
From cupcakes to truffles, local and regional authors and chocolate-themed activities, visitors won’t find a more decadent or enjoyable festival. Local businesses throughout downtown Martinsburg will host book signings and discussions, a chocolate shop tour, and chocolate-themed specials.
April 23: Camp Creek Lumberjack Competition & Ramp Feast, Camp Creek
304-425-9481; campcreeksp@wv.gov; http://www.campcreekstatepark.com/packages.html
Kick off the day’s festivities with the Bibbee Nature Flower and Bird Walk lead by members of the Bibbee Nature Club. The afternoon will be filled with entertainment from the Jack and Jill lumberjack competition as well as a delicious Ramp Feast.
April 23: Feast of the Ramson, Richwood
304-846-6790 ; rwdchamber@frontier.com; http://richwoodchamberofcommerce.org/FeastOfTheRamson/RampFestival2016.html
The 78th Annual Feast of the Ramson celebrates the beloved wild leek with old-time music, delicious dinners, a craft show and other activities. Tickets for adults are $15, children 12 and under $7.
April 29- May 1: Spring Fest, Franklin
304-358-3884 ; http://www.pendletoncountywv.com/springfest.php
This celebration highlights the best of springtime in West Virginia with food, fishing, and fun for the kids. Catch one of 100 tagged trout in the South Branch of the Potomac River for the opportunity to win cash prizes, or watch the kiddos as they race their Box Cars down the racetrack to the finish line.
April 30: Ramps and Rail Festival, Elkins
304-635-7803; http://elkinsdepot.com/2015-ramps-and-rail-festival/
Ramp up your appetite! The Eighth Annual Ramps and Rail Festival will feature vendors with delicious ramp-themed foods like ramp burgers, ramperoni rolls, ramp chili and ramp risotto with shrimp. To top it off, be one of the first to ride the rails this year with The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
