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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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 Tourism Adventure Media Advisory Aug. 15-23 

7/28/2009  “The Phantom Menace at 10” Exhibit: through Oct. 19, Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum, Wheeling

Take a look at Star Wars memorabilia10 years after the release of the first episode, “The Phantom Menace.”

For more information, contact the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum at 304-242-8133 or visit www.toyandtrain.com.

Mason County Fair: Aug. 10-15, Mason County Fairgrounds, near Point Pleasant

West Virginia’s largest county fair, the Mason County Fair, offers a pageant, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, motocross races, livestock shows, commercial exhibits, carnival, gospel and country music and Nashville entertainers. For more information, call 304-675-5463 or visit www.masoncountyfairwv.org.

14th Annual Huntington Rib & Music Fest:  Aug. 13-16, Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington 

Don’t miss this annual event that features great music and rib cook-off competitions.  For more information, call 304-696-5970 or visit www.bigsandyarena.com/new_site/ribfest.html.

Blues, Brews & BBQ: Aug. 14-16, Snowshoe Mountain, Snowshoe

Smokin’ barbeque, frosty brews and soulful music are in order during this event at Snowshoe Mountain from Aug. 14-16. Friday’s schedule includes family crafts, party with blues music and a movie. On Saturday, enjoy crafts, hike, biking workshop, saucy barbeque, beers from the region’s best brewers and some of the best soul searching blues music. Sunday’s events include crafts, brunch, hike, and biking workshop. For more information, call 877-441-4FUN or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.

Jefferson County African-American Cultural & Heritage Festival: Aug. 14-16, Charles Town

This year’s festival commemorates the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid of Harpers Ferry. The event starts with an evening reception on Friday. Saturday’s activities consist of a health fair, grand parade, vendors, musical and dramatic presentations and youth activities. Sunday includes a historical presentation on John Brown and Frederick Douglass. Free admission to all programs. For more information, call 304-725-9610.

John Blessing House Tour: Aug. 14 and 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 28, Charles Town

As part of the sesquicentennial commemoration of John Brown’s raid of Harpers Ferry, a special guided tour of the John Frederick Blessing house will be available at 6 p.m. Aug. 14 and 10 a.m. Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 28. Blessing, a local baker and confectioner, befriended John Brown during his imprisonment in Charles Town. Before Brown’s execution, he inscribed and presented Blessing with his jailhouse bible. Owned by the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society, the Blessing house is not open to the public on a regular basis. For more information, call 304-725-9610.  

State Fair of West Virginia: Aug. 14-22, Fairgrounds in Fairlea
Visit the State Fair of West Virginia for some farm-fresh fun Aug. 14-22. This year’s activities include exciting concerts, livestock shows, food vendors, competitive exhibits, crafts, family activities and more. For more information, call 304-645-1090 or visit www.statefairofwv.org.  

Battle of Dry Creek Civil War Re-enactment: Aug. 15-16, Greenbrier State Forest, Caldwell

History comes alive at the Battle of Dry Creek re-enactment Aug. 15-16. Civil War buffs will enjoy live-fire cannon demonstrations, parade, ball, church services and infantry demonstrations. There is no charge for this event. For a complete schedule, visit www.battleofdrycreek.com or call 304-536-4373. 

9th Annual ACE New River Bike Fest: Aug. 22-23, New River Gorge

Cap off your summer with the 9th annual ACE New River Bike Fest. The Aug. 22-23 event in the New River Gorge features some of the most scenic and hardcore mountain biking in the state. For more information, call 800-787-3982, ext. 152 or visit www.aceraft.com. 

Jefferson County Fair: Aug. 23-29, Ranson
Make plans to attend the Jefferson County Fair as it offers a week of family-fun activities from Aug. 23-29. Events include livestock events, carnival, motorsports, games, antique tractors and cars and more. General admission is $5. For more information, call 304-724-1411. 

Contact Information

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