West Virginia - Wild and Wonderful

About West Virginia

West Virginia is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research.

Business

West Virginia is full of opportunity for any business with a growing economy and a highly dedicated workforce. Whether you are running an existing business or thinking of starting a new business you can find all of the information you need throughout this business section.

Education

West Virginia is fortunate to have a tremendous education system with a high standard of excellence. Please use the information provided here to learn more about the wealth of educational opportunities in our great state.

Employment

West Virginia is home to one of the finest workforces in the country based on our hard work and commitment to quality. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, enhancing your job skills or researching future employment trends you can find all of the information you need throughout this employment section.

Family

West Virginia offers the perfect balance of a rural and urban setting that suits a variety of lifestyles. This is a state where you can go whitewater rafting in the morning, go to an art exhibit in the afternoon and attend a concert in the evening. Whether you just moved to the Mountain State or your family has been here since it was founded, you are part of our community.

Health

Maintaining proper health is vital to ensuring the highest quality of life possible. West Virginia strives to provide one of the best health care systems in the country that is affordable and available to all residents of the state. This section contains numerous resources to assist you in accessing the health care services provided in the state.

Tourism

Exhilarate in the lasting beauty and natural wonder scattered throughout West Virginia. From unmatched outdoor recreation to world-class resorts, breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions, West Virginia is an ideal spot to plan your next adventure. Discover for yourself what makes West Virginia wild and wonderful.

 Tourism Adventure Media Advisory April 11-18 

4/6/2009  Spring Fling:  April 11, West Virginia Heritage Crafts Co-op, Mount Clare.
This Heritage Arts and Crafts Co-op open house will provide fun and entertainment for young and old alike. There will be artisans demonstrating their skills, and handcrafted gifts and crafts for sale. All products are West Virginia made!  Enjoy Appalachian music, storytelling, re-enactors, quilting and more. Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The co-op housed in the former Quiet Dale School building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Admission and parking are free.  For more information, call 304-622-3304.

A Prelude to History: The Wedding of Virginia Kennedy:  April 18, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry.
The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park's John Brown's Raid Sesquicentennial opens with a full day of family-oriented programs. The event, "A Prelude to History: The Wedding of Virginia Kennedy," centers on the arrival of Brown's associate Captain John Cook and his marriage to Virginia Kennedy. Highlights include family and youth activities focusing on Harpers Ferry 1859 and a dramatic presentation titled "My Conspirator," the life of Captain John Cook as told by his sister Kate. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is one of many events to mark the anniversary of John Brown's raid, an event which brought the nation's attention on slavery and helped spark the American Civil War. For more information on the April 18 event, contact (304) 535-6029 or visit
www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm .

Feast of the Ramson (Ramp Festival):  April 18, Richwood High School, Richwood.
The 71st anniversary Feast of the Ramson will be held at Richwood High School from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  on Saturday, April 18.  Celebrate ramps with food, music, a ramp dinner, clogging and other activities.  An arts and crafts exhibition will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the junior high school gym.  Bus parking is available. For more information, call 304-846-6790.

Pickens Ramp Dinner:  April 18, American Legion Hall, Pickens.
Come hungry to the Pickens Ramp Supper on April 18.  Featured dishes include ramps, cornbread, beans, fried potatoes, applesauce, coleslaw and dessert.  Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.  Hours are 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  For more information, call 304-924-5415.
 

3rd annual Lewisburg Chocolate Festival: April 18, downtown Lewisburg.

If you love chocolate, you won’t want to miss the 3rd annual Lewisburg Chocolate Festival April 18 in historic downtown Lewisburg.  This year’s festival features a tasting extravaganza, children’s events, live music and special chocolate-themed events.  The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival has been selected as a Southern Tourism Society's Top 20 Events for spring 2009.  For more information and a complete list of Chocolate Festival activities, visit www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com or call 800-833-2068.

Chocolate Lover’s Day: April 18, downtown Morgantown.

Downtown Morgantown hosts the annual “Chocolate Lover’s Day” on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This one-day event is open to the public and tickets are just $5 per person. More than 30 businesses prepare a different chocolate item – all for your chocolate-loving enjoyment. While downtown, register to win a trip for four to Hershey Park. For more information, visit www.downtownmorgantown.com or call 304-292-0168.

Contact Information

Tricia Sizemore 
304-558-2003 x 319 
tricia.t.sizemore@wv.gov