4/12/2010
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The month of April showers visitors with unique and interesting special events at West Virginia’s state parks and forests. The last weekend of the month features everything from ramps to Irish Road Bowling, murder mystery dinner theater to hikes, walks, Civil War interest, and birding. Here are some of the events scheduled the weekend of April 23-25:
Prickett’s Fort State Park near Fairmont
The weekend of April 23 offers two events at the fort: the Jones Imboden Raid Civil War Kids Day and Jones Imboden Raid Civil War Weekend.
School groups are invited to attend a special day of local civil war history commemorating the Jones Imboden Raid of 1863 on Friday, April 23. Civil War re-enactors will provide learning stations for students throughout the day.
In April 1863, Confederate forces invaded Fairmont, Virginia (now West Virginia) in an attempt to gain control of the strategic B&O Railroad and capture Francis Pierpont, Governor of the Re-Organized Virginia. The park will commemorate this event on April 24 and 25 through various re-enactments and demonstrations.
Admission fees at Prickett’s Fort are $6 adults; $5 seniors; $3 children 6-12; 5 and under is free. Open at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday; last tickets sold at 4 p.m. Sunday, the fort opens at noon. Prickett’s Fort is open April 14 through Labor Day on a daily basis. After Labor Day the fort is open Wednesday – Sunday through Oct. 31.
Prickett's Fort State Park is two miles from I-79 at Exit 139, north of Fairmont. Follow signs to the park. For information, visit online at www.prickettsfortstatepark.com or call 304-363-3030 for these and other events and workshops conducted by the Prickett’s Fort Foundation.
Stonewall Resort State Park
An event sure to leave a good taste in your mouth is the Ramp Celebration Weekend at Stonewall Resort April 23-24. According to Chris Steffich, Director of Food services, Stonewall will celebrate the Ramp – a member of the onion family that tastes like a mix between onion and garlic – through incorporating it into a variety of innovative recipes.
Ramps are featured in Stillwaters’ dinner specials Friday; Saturday’s lunch buffet includes Braxton Ramp and Rabbit Gumbo, Grilled Chicken with Sassafras powder. Saturday also includes cooking demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. with ramps as the featured ingredient. Saturday evening, Stillwater Restaurant features more ramp dishes including Ramp and Asparagus Chowder and Holly River Pork Belly Pot Roast.
For more information about Stonewall Resort visit, www.stonewallresort.com or call 304-269-7400 for reservations.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Two events occur the weekend of April 23 at Canaan Valley Resort. A spring scrapbooking retreat is scheduled with a lodge package for the weekend and includes an overnight package.
On Saturday the 24th, J.B. Barnett pays tribute to comedic legend Red Skelton is this evening performance titled Red Skelton Remembered. Well known Skelton comedy sketches will be brought to life in this comedic performance appropriate for the whole family. The show starts at 7 p.m. and the admission is $10 per person.
For reservations and Canaan Valley information, call 304-866-4121 or visit online at www.canaanresort.com
Pipestem Resort State Park
Irish Road Bowling weekend is great outdoor fun for family and friends of all ages and Pipestem Resort State Park is the first of six parks hosting IRB events in 2010. Irish Road Bowling makes use of a ball made out of iron and steel that is heavy enough to pick up speed, yet small enough for any person to handle. “Besides the basic rules and terms, all you do is hurl this 28 oz. ‘bowl’ with an underhand motion over a one-to-two mile country road and see how far it goes!” according to Danny Kuhn of the W.Va. Irish Road Bowling Association. The game is scored like golf, with the fewest number of shots from the start to the finish line winning. “It’s similar to fast pitch softball, except with a running start. It's also like bowling if you had enough room to run 10 or 15 yards It’s very easy to learn and a lot of fun.”
The weekend of April 23-25 indicates the event “looks to be one of the biggest Irish road bowling celebrations this side of the Irish Spring Festival” according to Road Master Danny Kuhn. The schedule includes:
Saturday April 24
10:00 a.m. Women’s Singles Qualifier
11:00 a.m. Team Bowling
1:00 p.m. Cannons! Bagpipes! Team Bowling
4:00 p.m. Picnic
Sunday April 25
11:00 a.m. Fun Bowl-Team Bowling
1:00 p.m. Men’s Singles Qualifier
West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association, Women’s and Men’s Open Singles Qualifier, is open to anyone from the North American Region (who is not qualifying elsewhere). Top four winners, men and women, will advance to WV IRB Singles Finals, July 17, 18, Ireland, W.Va. Two men winners there advance to North American Region Finals. (Pipestem is one of two qualifiers – second qualifier is Saturday May 15 [women] and Sunday May 16 [men], Strawberry Festival, Buckhannon, W.Va.)
For information about Pipestem Resort events and overnight reservations and info call 304-466-1800; for IRB information visit www.wvirishroadbowling.com.
Spring Wildflower and Bird Walks
The Greenbrier State Forest Show Me Hike and the Osbra Eye Memorial Walk at Kanawha State Forest are scheduled on Saturday, April 24. The Kanawha hike registration begins at 9 a.m. at the swimming pool area. For hike information at Greenbrier State Forest, call 304-536-1944 and for Kanawha State Forest the phone number is 304-558-3500.
In conjuction with the National Park Service, Babcock and Hawks Nest state parks are offering Sunday wildflower and birding hikes.
Spring Birding at Babcock State Park near Clifton will be led by Asst. Supt. Sean Pettrey. The walk is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. beginning at the Glade Creek Grist Mill. Contact Babcock State Park at 304-438-3004.
Blooms and Birds Hike is featured at Hawks Nest State Park on this walk along the Hawks Nest Rail Trail. Starts at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Rail Trail trailhead, Hawks Nest State Park in Ansted, WV to see flora and winged wonders. The hike leader is Megan Hash, Hawks Nest Naturalist and Activities Coordinator. Contact Hawks Nest at 304-658-5212.
The Annual Spring Bird Walk is featured at Prickett’s Fort State Park on April 17 and April 24. Staff of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will lead the public on this annual event. Programs begin at 8 a.m. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring binoculars if you have them. For more information about these bird walks, call 304-363-3030
Special hikes and walks information is also posted online at www.wvstateparks.com, Hikes and Walks.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Rounding out the last weekend in April is Beach Blanket Bump-Off dinner theater at Blackwater Falls State Park near Davis. The theater brings a beach feeling to a great Saturday evening. Friday evening features karaoke and a beach theme. Rates for Friday or Saturday evening only as well as weekend package are available. Call 304-259-5216 for information or reservations.
For more information about West Virginia State Parks events, visit online at www.wvstateparks.com and the Events Calendar or call 800 CALL WVA for a 2010 printed Calendar of Events.
Contact Information
Sissie Summers
304-558-2764
sissie.a.summers@wv.gov