Tourism Adventure Media Advisory 

Although West Virginians are known year-round for their warm welcomes, good cooking and fellowship, those qualities become even more apparent during the holiday season.  This year the Mountain State plays host to a variety of festivals that showcase Christmas traditions, including ones from across the globe like Fairmont’s Feast of the Seven Fishes and those that take you to a different era like Harpers Ferry Olde Tyme Christmas.  The state’s holiday light shows offer visitors an opportunity to find special cheer in the glittering lights of a nighttime show. Start your own tradition this year and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the 2008 season at one of the state’s holiday festivals. 

Winter Festival of Lights: Nov. 5-Jan. 5, Oglebay Resort in Wheeling.
Started in 1985, the Festival of Lights has grown to feature more than a million lights on a 6-mile drive through 300 acres. Named as a top 100 event by Eventcrazy.com and listed as one of the top 200 events in the country by Discover America, this year’s festival is sure to please all ages. These lights are viewable Sunday through Thursday from dusk until 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from dusk until 11 p.m. Donations will be accepted for this event. For more information, call 800-624-6988 or visit www.oglebay-resort.com.

Holiday Parade and Christmas Fantasy Light Show at Krodel Park: Nov. 21 - Dec. 31, Point Pleasant.

A holiday parade complete with Santa Claus will kick off the Christmas Fantasy Light Show on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. The parade is scheduled for downtown Point Pleasant with the light show beginning afterwards. Visitors driving through Krodel Park for the light show will see traditional holiday displays as well as unique ones, including a 20-foot windmill, sternwheeler and the Mothman. Light show hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31. Donations are accepted at admission. For more information, contact the Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 304-675-6788 or visit www.pointpleasantwv.org.

Bluefield Holiday of Lights Festival: Nov. 27, 2008,- Jan. 3, 2009, Bluefield.

The Bluefield Holiday of Lights in the Lotito City Park offers dazzling lights from dusk until 11 p.m. nightly from Nov. 27, 2008, to Jan. 3, 2009. Not only can visitors drive through the display, the city park also offers special weekend events. Donations are accepted. For more information, call 304-327-2448.

Christmas in the Park: Nov. 27, 2008 - Jan. 1, 2009, Chief Logan State Park, Logan.

View Chief Logan State Park in all its winter wonderland grandeur from Nov. 27, 2008, to Jan. 1, 2009. Guests will enjoy a beautiful light display from dark until 10 p.m. Admission is free; donations are accepted. For more information, call Chief Logan State Park at 304-792-7125 or visit www.chiefloganstatepark.com.

Winter Fest at Cedar Lakes: Nov. 27, 2008, - Jan. 1, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley.

Get into the holiday spirit at Winter Fest at Cedar Lakes. Along with a nightly display of Christmas lights, other special events include a craft show, horse-drawn sleigh rides, concerts and craft workshops. Light display hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Admission is free. For more information call 304-372-7860 or visit www.cedarlakes.com.

Hanging of the Greens:  Nov. 30, Charleston.

Take time out from your post-Thanksgiving shopping to help Charleston’s Salvation Army Church kick off the Advent season with their traditional “Hanging of the Greens” service.  This annual event scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, is free and open to the public.   Everyone is invited to participate in decorating the church, which is located at 301 Mary Street.  The Gospel Brass Band will provide music, and a special worship service explains the Christian symbolism behind traditional decorations like wreaths and poinsettias.  For more information, call (304) 342-6833.

Olde Tyme Christmas:  Dec. 5-7, 11-14 and 20, Harpers Ferry.

Celebrate Christmas the old fashioned way this year at Harpers Ferry.  The pre-Civil War town is decorated in fresh greens and bows, merchants dress in 1860s-period costumes and activities include tree and Yule log lightings.  Enjoy live concerts and a living nativity scene.  Nationally-known Irish Tenor Patrick Mulhern will perform Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. Shop, dine or stay – there’s something for everyone at the 38^th celebration of Olde Tyme Christmas at Harpers Ferry.  For more information, visit www.historicharpersferry.com.   

Victorian Homes Christmas Tour and Tea:  Dec. 6-7, Parkersburg.

Take a leisurely walk through history in Parkersburg’s Julia-Ann Square Historic District on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7.  Saturday’s daylight tours of beautifully decorated homes start at 1 p.m. and are followed with a lavish Victorian tea.  Candlelight tours start at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.  Those participating in the 5 p.m. tour will enjoy tea following their tour and those going on the 6:30 p.m. tour will take tea prior to their tour.  On Sunday, take a self-guided tour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  There is no tea on Sunday.  Tickets for Saturday cost $15 and on Sunday $10; all proceeds go towards improvements in the historic district.  Reservations are not required, but are preferred.  To make reservations, call Lillian McCrary at (304) 422-2687.  For more information, visit www.juliannsquare.org.

Festival of Lessons and Carols:  Dec. 7, Buckhannon.

Join the West Virginia Wesleyan Concert Chorale as they present the 28^th Festival of Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 at Wesley Chapel.  This beautiful service includes an array of Christmas music and scripture readings.  The lighting of the campus Christmas tree will immediately follow the service.  A special Christmas buffet also will be offered.  Buffet rates are $8.80 for adults, $4 for children under 12 and $8 for Wesleyan faculty and staff.  For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu or call (304) 478-8557.

Holiday Light Festival: Dec. 12-22, West Virginia State Farm Museum, Point Pleasant. 

More than three millions lights will sparkle on buildings and trees every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Santa will be available each night as well as free hot chocolate and cookies for children. The Country Kitchen and Country Store will be open during the event. Donations are accepted. For more information, call the West Virginia State Farm Museum at 304-675-5737 or visit www.wvfarmmuseum.org.

Christmas Light Up: Dec. 12 – 14, 19 - 21, Tomlinson Run State Park, New Manchester.
Tomlinson Run State Park will light up its campground from dusk to 9 p.m. The price of admission is $5 per car or $2 per person for a wagon ride through the show. Call Tomlinson Run State Park 304-564-3651 or visit www.tomlinsonrunsp.com.

Bramwell Holiday Tour of Historic Homes: Dec. 13, Bramwell.

Take a holiday tour of Bramwell’s historic Victorian and Tudor mansions on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. This town once boasted more millionaires per capita than any other town in the United States around the turn of the 20th century. The cost is $15 per person; no reservations required. Tickets will be available that day at the Bramwell Presbyterian Church. For more information, call 304-248-8381.

Feast of the Seven Fishes:  Dec. 13, Fairmont.

Enjoy a traditional Italian Christmas Eve celebration featuring an Italian street market, cooking school and live Italian and Christmas music.  The third annual Feast of the Seven Fishes will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monroe Street in downtown Fairmont.  The Christmas parade starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 7 p.m.  For more information, visit www.marioncvb.com.

Christmas in Italy Celebration:  Dec. 19, Clarksburg.

Celebrate Christmas with an Italian flare.  This one-of-a-kind event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Village Square Conference Center in Clarksburg.  Feast on delicious Italian dishes and enjoy performances by These Three Tenors and the Florence Chico Cann Children’s Chorus. Tickets purchased before Dec. 9 cost $35 per adult and $15 for children under 12.  From Dec. 9-16, tickets are $40 per person and $20 for children under 12. The deadline to purchase tickets is Dec. 16.  For more information, visit www.wvihf.com, e-mail the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival at benvenuto79@wvihf.com or call 304-622-7314. 

West Virginia Division of Tourism produces this media advisory with the help of other agencies and tourism businesses across the Mountain State. If you wish additional information about coming events in the Mountain State or if you are an event organizer or promoter and would like to have your event considered for inclusion in the Adventure Advisory, please contact Tricia Sizemore at tricia.t.sizemore@wv.gov. 

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