Fall Festivals: 5 things we’re celebrating this September

Festival gatherings are flooding Southern WV as the fiery foliage burns bright.

Fall brings everyone out to marvel as the reds, yellows and oranges spread across the mountains. And we have plenty of excuses to gather together to enjoy it.

Here are 5 things we’re celebrating with fall festivals as the color sets in this September:

The fall season

Fall Festival at Camp Creek, Sept. 20

Of course, any season is reason enough! But the fiery fall mountains demand notice, and regalia! The Fall Festival at Camp Creek will feature old time & bluegrass, complemented with clogging. There will also be apple butter making and other Appalachian treats.

Princeton Autumnfest, Sept 27

Pay homage to fall with live mountain music and Appalachian delicacies  at Princeton’s Autumnfest. And there’s plenty of friendly competition, with a dog show and other playful community contests to enter and win.

Harvest

Autumn Harvest Festival, Sept. 27-28

Fall’s entry marks the end of the growing season, so it’s time to enjoy the harvest! The Harvest Festival, at the
WVU Willow Bend Farm south of Union, will pit gardeners’ prized veggies, herbs and canned goods against one another for the top title this season. And all set to country, bluegrass and gospel tunes, with crafts, tractor pulls, a flea market and more to enjoy.

 Nicholas County Potato Festival, Sept. 12-13 

As we harvest, we’ll also celebrate key crops. Like the versatile potato at the annual Potato Festival! See how many you can stuff away in the tater tot and mashed potato eating contests, or race your way to the finish line in a potato sack. Alongside the potato activities, you can also browse the car show, tractor show, craft vendors and farmers market, or compete for prizes in other traditional contests.

Grape Stomping Festival, Sept. 20-21

And who could forget grapes? The sweet fruits that give us wine? Kirkwood Winery reminds us how this harvest gets from field to bottle, and helps us cheers to its deliciousness, at the Grape Stompin’ Festival. Squeeze the juice through your toes old-fashioned style as you taste all of the winery’s specialty drinks, and enjoy music and dancing.

River recreation

Gauley Fest, Sept. 19-21

Every fall, the Summersville Dam is released upon the Gauley, creating one of the world’s top 10 whitewater rafting runs. At Gauley Fest, paddlers gather to celebrate the wild recreation. You can buy kayaks, outdoor gear and river attire from all of the top vendors in the industry. And, pros can test their skill along the most infamous stretch of river in the Upper Gauley Race.

Heritage 

Mercer County Heritage Festival, Sept. 5-7

Explore every aspect of Appalachia’s story with living history characters reenacting the region’s most distinct moments at the Heritage Festival. Meet Native Americans, wartime soldiers, heritage craftsmen and other characters from the past. Even join in for ladies’ tea or a ride on the covered wagons.

CultureFest 2014, Sept 4-7 

CultureFest is a music and arts celebration of dancing, performances, crafts and cooking. Camp out and catch a show, stumble upon a drum circle or join a community art project. There’s a kids’ area full of activities for the young’uns, and plenty of late-night fun around the fire pits.

Kids

Beckley’s 19th Annual Kids Classic Festival, Sept. 1-7

Family fun can be found all over town as Beckley welcomes everyone to the annual Kid’s Classic to play games, compete in contests, and enjoy entertainment fit for all ages. The activities all culminate at the parade and kids fair in the uptown area.

Which celebration are you most excited to join?