2021 Rhododendron Festival

May 8 – 29: Active Southern WV Facebook Photo Contest: Take a hike on one of the trails near Beckley & submit your rhododendron photos to the 2021 Rhododendron Festival event page with hashtag #WVRhodofest21 by May 29 for a chance to win a prize with the most “likes” – amateur photographers only.

Saturday, May 8: Neighborhood Cruise: 4 – 4:30 pm Cruise Line-up at Cross Point Church, Crescent Rd. Cruise McLean Addition & Harper Road with the option to Old Mill Village and to Shade Tree Car Club’s Cruise-in at Logan’s.

Sunday, May 9: Recognition of Ms. Stroud, Woman Coal Miner: 2 pm, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

Saturday, May 15: Shade Tree Car Club & First Responders Show: 9 am – 4 pm, Little Beaver State Park, Music by East of Memphis

May 15: Raleigh County Historical Society Dedication 11 am – Bill Withers Historical marker located across from Stratton School, 1129 South Fayette Street;
Concerts celebrating the music of Bill Withers. 12-6 pm, Beckley Intermodal Gateway. Featured artists: Matt Mullins & the Bringdowns, Drew Lawrence, Lady D, The Carpenter Ants, Lords of Lester, Shawn Benfield & The Untrained Professionals. Food Vendors are available.

Saturday, May 22: Pickleball Tournament – Contact Dave Barksdale 304-673-8390 or 304-763-5885

May 22: Rhododendron Cruise: 4-4:30 pm Cruise Line-up at the Beckley-Raleigh County Memorial Airport. Ride to Grandview (New River Gorge National River) to scenic overlooks and rhododendrons in bloom

May 22: Rhododendron Walks: 4 and 5:30 pm, Grandview. Walks led by National Park Rangers

May 22: Coalfield Architecture Tour. 6 pm. Raleigh Playhouse & Theater. Walking tour & presentation on Alex Mahood, Architect of the Coalfields. $10. Contact: Scott Worley 304-228-1851

Monday, May 24: Open Mic, 7 pm, The Raleigh Playhouse & Theatre. To reserve a performance slot, message the theatre at

or email TheRaleighWV@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 26: Full Moon Ride/Walk: group bicycle ride & walk, 8 pm, McManus Trail, meet at the Art Park 3rd Ave parking lot

Friday-Saturday, May 28, 29: WV Miners Home Baseball Games, 6:35 pm, Linda K Epling Stadium; Fireworks after the game on the 29th (Saturday)

Saturday, May 29: Neighborhood Cruise & Concerts: 4 – 4:30 pm, Cruise Line-up at Park Middle School, cruise neighborhood ending at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway Plaza for Concerts: 5:30 pm – Motown Music by How Great Thou Art; 6:30 pm – 80’s music by Quiet Enough

Also, check out the Beckley Exhibition Mine, Youth Museum (Exhibit: Tuesday – Saturday, Thomas & Friends Ride the Rails), Beckley Art Center, Tamarack, Mountain State Mini-Golf, and other local attractions.