West Virginia Black Walnut Festival: Oct. 8-11; Downtown Spencer
This year marks the 55th anniversary for the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival. The all-day festival includes a grand parade, kid’s parade, flea market, fireman’s contest, quilt contest, live music, food vendors, carnival, baking contest, antique power show, classic car show, art and photography contest, nut sweepstakes and much more. Visit http://2009.wvblackwalnutfestival.org for a schedule of events and more information, or call 304-927-5616.
Lewisburg Business and Professional Women Annual Arts & Crafts Fair and Taste of Our Town: Oct. 9-11; Lewisburg
Stop by the West Virginia Building on the state fair grounds in Fairlea, from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Oct. 9 and 10 and Oct. 11 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and enjoy the area’s largest indoor arts and craft fair. The fair features nearly 100 vendors with handcrafted treasures, including primitives, florals, wood crafts, metal work, needle crafts, painting, mead wine, ceramics, jewelry and much more. While visiting the area, participate in the Lewisburg Taste of Our Town. This event takes place in downtown Lewisburg on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and features the best food in the region from restaurants and civic organizations. For additional information about the BPW annual Arts & Crafts Fair, call 304-667-9111. Additional information about the Taste of Our Town can be found at www.carnegiehallwv.com or by calling 304-645-7917.
Hatfield-McCoy National Trail Fest: Oct. 8-12; Gilbert
This premium off-road event includes trail rides, product exhibitors, mud bogging, drag racing, poker run, dice run, Vegas night games, Vegas night auctions, kid’s track, entertainment, ATV parade, mud run, town of Gilbert fireworks, thousands of dollars in giveaways and more. The fun begins on Oct. 8 with registration at 9 a.m. and ends after the final ride on Oct.12 at 7 p.m. Participant packages are available. Contact 800-592-2217 or visit www.trailsheaven.com for more information.
Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum – “WV JediCon 2009”: Oct. 10; Wheeling
The Toy Museum will once again be the site of a gathering of Star Wars fans like no other. The annual event, which is in its sixth year, was held in Wheeling for the first time last year. If you are a fan of Star Wars, you won't want to miss this one. John Booth, author of "Collect all 21! Memoirs of a Star Wars Geek: The First 30 Years," will be discussing his experiences with Star Wars and how it influenced his new novel. Hours for the event are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.ToyandTrain.com or call 877-242-8133 for additional information.
Christmas in the Park: Oct. 10-11; Follansbee
Christmas in the park is a highly anticipated local event that showcases the talents of area crafters within the setting of the city’s park and recreation area. Daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the festival offers visitors a chance to stroll along paths lined with a variety of old trees, visit more than 80 craft vendors, sample several food booths, and see the charming Christmas decorations. Other activities include raffles, entertainment, Christmas music and horse and buggy rides. Additional information may be obtained by calling 304-527-3378 or 304-527-3370.
Twin Falls State Park Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree: Oct. 10-11; Mullens
Enjoy a down-home atmosphere at this free annual festival that has something for everyone, from bluegrass music and food to clogging, art and crafts and a woodsman competition. Activities begin on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Oct. 11 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For additional information, call 304-294-4000 or visit www.twinfallsresort.com.
Berkeley Springs State Park–Apple Butter Festival: Oct. 10-11; Berkeley Springs
An annual celebration that features spicy, slow-simmered apple butter cooked over open fires in the center of streets with a backdrop of beautiful fall colors. Other activities include traditional and modern arts and crafts booths, large farmer’s market, West Virginia wines and gourmet foods, finger-licking mountain cooking, musical entertainment, turtle race, parade, beard and mustache contest, raw egg toss and hog calling contest. The festival begins on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and ends on Oct. 11 with events taking place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact 304-258-3738 or visit www.berkeleysprings.com/apple for additional information.
Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival: Oct. 15-18; Martinsburg
Join in celebrating the rich agricultural heritage of this part of West Virginia, highlighting the role of the apple in that tradition. Activities include coronation of Queen Pomona XXX, queen's reception, royal gala, Friday night in the park, sports breakfast, grand feature parade, soroptimist grand ball, arts and crafts event, 6th annual Baby Apple Seed contest, apple pie baking contest, Apple Trample 5K, Panhandlers square dance, apple displays and contests, cruise-in car show and antique and unique vehicle show. All Sunday activities take place at the Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds. Visit www.msahf.com or call 304-263-2500 for more information.
Taste of Bridge Day and New River Gorge Bridge Day Festival: Oct. 16-17; Fayetteville
The Taste of Bridge Day is an opportunity to sample an array of West Virginia food products from statewide restaurants and cookeries. On Oct. 16, from 5 p.m.-9 p.m., you will get a chance to taste wonderful, age-old recipes and witness spectacular views of the New River Gorge. Smokey’s, an open-air atmosphere restaurant perched on the gorge, will host the event. Oct. 17, 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the New River Gorge Bridge Day Festival. Held on the third Saturday of October every year, it is West Virginia’s largest one-day festival. It also is the only day it is legal to walk on the bridge. Watch B.A.S.E. jumpers and rappelers, and enjoy arts, crafts and food. New to the event this year is “Walk West Virginia in a Day” booth sponsored by the Governor’s Office. The informational booth provides festivalgoers an opportunity to discover the state county by county. The festival takes place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit www.officialbridgeday.com or call 800-927-0263.
West Virginia Breeders Classic: Oct. 17; Charles Town
And they’re off! To the races that is. Join in the 23rd anniversary celebration featuring races of thoroughbreds. The Classics are a showcase for West Virginia’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry at the Charles Town Races and Slots. A nice race card for West Virginia bred and sired thoroughbreds. Contact 800-795-7001 or visit www.wvbc.com for additional information.