3/8/2010
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Regardless of entrance, lion or lamb, March is here. It’s time to shake off the winter-time blues or lingering effects of cabin fever and take advantage of the variety of events and offers at West Virginia’s state parks. Visitors to and residents of West Virginia will find plenty of events, activities and discounts available, including rate reductions bordering on madness at five of the state parks lodges, golf play daring the breaks in winter weather, jazz, jigs and Elvis.
“March Madness” lodging discounts at Pipestem, Twin Falls, North Bend, Hawks Nest and Cacapon state parks mean that, every Sunday and Monday in March, visitors get a 50 percent rate reduction when paying with a state park gift card or by asking for the March Madness rate.
March madness continues with golf play, (yes, it’s possible) in March. At Cacapon Resort in Berkeley Springs, 18-hole golf play is $26.50 per person including cart and tax. Pipestem Resort is also encouraging golfers to pack clubs when visiting Pipestem in March. Overnight guests at Pipestem’s McKeever Lodge can play golf for $26, which includes 18-hole greens fee for two, shared cart and taxes. A March Madness card is issued to overnight guests upon check-in.
A variety of events from quilting and culinary arts, to guitars and mystery weekends marches across the state at other parks. Events and activities for the remainder of March include:
March 13-28
6th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Heritage Quilt Show at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park – 304-420-4800
Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History’s 6th Annual Quilt Show continues through March 28. An open house on Saturday, March 13, is planned from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. This day will feature local vendors and needle art artists in addition to quilt and museum exhibits. There is no charge to visit the museum and exhibit during open house. “March 20 is National Quilt Day and also a great time to visit,” says Donna Smith, park superintendent. The Museum, featuring three floors of exhibits and artifacts, is open daily, except for Mondays and admission is $4. The Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History is located in Parkersburg on the corner of Juliana and Second streets.
March 12 – 13
Culinary Classic Weekend at Stonewall Resort State Park – 304-269-7400
More than 20 of West Virginia’s finest and most innovative chefs, along with regional wine and food stewards, offer a weekend of dine-around, multi-course meals, seminars and demonstrations. “This is the 7th Annual Culinary Classic and one of our most popular winter weekend events,” says Mike Hager, general manager at Stonewall Resort. Overnight packages and day-only information for this event is available by phoning 304-269-7400.
March 13
24th Annual Irish Heritage Festival at Pipestem Resort State Park – 304-466-1800
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at Pipestem Resort State Park Saturday, March 13, with “The Earl of Elkview” and the O’Daugherty Family Singers along with special guest Buddy Griffin and others. Pipestem Resort and The Southern West Virginia Irish Heritage Festival group have arranged entertainment and activities for this annual weekend event.
Other activities for the weekend include Irish Road Bowling, an Irish Buffet featuring genuine Irish dishes, an Eagle Watch, and discounts for an extended stay at Pipestem.
Tickets for the March 13 evening stage performances are $5 and available for purchase at the Hinton Visitor Center, Pops in Hinton and at Pipestem Resort State Park. For more information about the Irish Heritage Festival on March 13, call Pipestem at 304-466-1800 or visit the Web site www.pipestemresort.com.
March 19-21
Scrapbook Workshop at Twin Falls Resort State Park – 304-294-4000
Scrapbooking is a great hobby for individuals and scrapbooking friends. The annual workshop at Twin Falls Resort, March 19-21, teaches fun and easy ways to create a book of memories, new techniques and ideas to create generational timelines.
Instructor Blenda Stewart provides materials and tips to help get started with scrapbooking Friday evening, March 19. The weekend continues and includes workshops Saturday from at 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and through noon Sunday. Door prizes and refreshment breaks are part of the weekend. “It’s a great girlfriend or family-time weekend option for winter,” says Joe Swiney, park activity coordinator. “Participants are encouraged to bring scissors and other scrapbooking tools and materials, but supplies will be available at the workshop for minimal costs."
The weekend workshop includes three days of scrapbooking instruction, an album kit, deli lunch on Saturday and Sunday at Twin Falls restaurant, refreshment breaks and overnight accommodations. Workshop options range from $220 for two nights at Twin Falls Lodge for two people with all package components, or $70 to attend the workshop only. Cabin packages are also available. For more information about the scrap-booking, events packages, or Twin Falls State Park, call 304-294-4000.
March 19 – 21
Women’s Getaway Weekend at North Bend State Park – 304-643-2931
Mothers, daughters, aunts and sisters, and girfriends – this is a weekend to get away, just for women. Women’s Get-A-Way at North Bend State Park is March 19-21 and offers options to relax, get pampered, or enjoy a craft or book, and more.
Some of this weekend’s activities include beading jewelry, introduction to yoga and exercises, and book reviews. Lee Studios is the professional consultants for makeup and skin care. Appointments for haircuts, facials, nail treatments, “brow bar” and massages are available. Sessions on finances for women, exercise, and cooking class and tips by Chef Jim Ingles is also part of the away schedule. Evenings include pursue bingo and meet and greet time.
Package price for two people, two nights lodging, meals and included activities is $250. Single occupancy and triple occupancy rates are available. For reservations or additional information, call North Bend State Park, 304-643-2931, or visit online at www.northbendsp.com and click on Events and Deals tab for this event and others.
March 20
Elvis Tribute – Dinner Theater at Hawks Nest State Park – 304-658-5212
The last dinner theater for winter at Hawks Nest promises entertainment and great fun with an Elvis Tribute. Activities coordinator Megan Hash says the six theaters this season have provided variety and introduced many new visitors to Hawks Nest Lodge and Restaurant. Reservations are required to attend and available by phoning, 304-658-5212.
March 21-26
The Needle Stitch-In at North Bend State Park – 304-643-2931
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of North Bend State Park in the spring to focus on long put-off needlework projects such as crochet, counted cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, tatting, quilting, weaving and needlepoint.
The instructors for this five day retreat are Marilyn Maher and Karen Harris with concentrations in knitting, crochet, and quilting. Overnight package includes five nights lodging at North Bend Lodge, Sunday March 21 to March 26; instructor and project assistance and refreshments. The cost for two people in a room is $368 and includes taxes, single occupancy rates are available. For information about the “Needle Stitch-In,” contact Marilyn Maher at 304-428-7424. For reservations at North Bend State Park, call 304-643-2931.
March 26-28
Guitar Workshop at Twin Falls Resort State Park – 304-294-4000
The opportunity to hang out and learn chords, licks, and finger picking for an entire weekend with internationally-recognized guitarists Robin Kessinger, Robert Shafer and Jim Ritchey is a special event at Twin Falls Resort State Park. during the 2010 Guitar Workshop Weekend March 26-28.
The workshop will include a popular Friday night instructors’ mini-concert, Saturday evening jam session and concluding sessions Sunday afternoon. “It’s a rare opportunity to be in a setting with these accomplished musicians. Kessinger, Shafer and Ritchey know guitars inside and out, from creation of the instrument to playing. The affordability and limited class size makes this one of the premier three-day workshops for anyone interested in guitars” according to Joe Swiney, activities coordinator.
The Guitar Workshop Weekend includes two nights' lodging Friday and Saturday, workshops and instruction, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, jam sessions, five break refreshments, and door prizes. The cost is $233 for two people for the entire weekend package. Rates for single occupancy and day only attendance are available. Advance reservations are required, and the workshop size is limited. A complete workshop schedule is posted on the Twin Falls events Web page. For more information or reservations call Twin Falls Resort State Park 304-294-4000, or visit online www.twinfallsresort.com.
March 26-28
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Cacapon Resort State Park – 304-258-1022
The New World Theater will create drama and suspense for a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Cacapon Resort State Park, March 27. A classic who-dun-it event, the performance is conducted by the New World Theater, a Berkeley Springs company that has toured the United States as well as Wales, England, Scotland, Germany and other countries over the past 30 years.
“It’s a great evening or weekend at Cacapon,” says Kelly Smith. “New World involves attendees to be part of the evening and also encourages guests to study the various motive, opportunity and intent of the suspects to solve the case.”
An overnight package includes lodging at Cacapon Lodge, dinner and murder mystery for $76.34 per person, double occupancy. Dinner and mystery evening only is $35 per person. Rates include taxes and gratuity. A social begins at 6:30 with dinner being served at 7 p.m. and the play unfolds. For more information about Cacapon Resort Murder Mystery, call 304-258-1022.
March 31
Adopt-A-Highway Spring Event at Cabwaylingo State Forest – 304-385-4255
With spring in the air, Cabwaylingo State Forest is looking for individuals to assist in keeping West Virginia clean and green along the roadways. This is a 2010 Adopt-A-highway event and volunteers will meet at the Crum/Morgan Picnic Shelter at 9 a.m. Trash Bags and gloves will be provided. To participate or to learn more about Cabwaylingo State Forest, call 304-385-4255
For events and information about West Virginia’s state parks and forests, go online, www.wvstateparks.com and click Event Calendar or call 800-CALL-WVA and ask the Tourism Call Center to transfer your call to a specific park.
Contact Information
Sissie Summers
304-558-2764
parks@wvdnr.gov