ANSTED, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The 2026 Ansted Hometown Heritage Festival wrapped up Sunday after three days of community celebrations that honored the town’s history, recognized the people who helped build the festival into a longstanding tradition, and celebrated America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
This year’s festival placed special emphasis on recognizing the founders of the event as well as the many past festival leaders and volunteers whose dedication over the years has helped make the annual celebration one of the region’s signature summer events.
The patriotic theme was reflected throughout the weekend as the community celebrated America’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, with red, white and blue decorations, patriotic programming and a parade that highlighted the nation’s history while also coinciding with West Virginia Day on Saturday.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions was Saturday’s parade, which once again drew large crowds along the streets of Ansted.
The town has long been known for putting on one of the area’s largest and most diverse parades, featuring a wide variety of participants that reflect the community’s traditions and spirit.
This year’s parade carried a patriotic focus while celebrating both America’s 250th anniversary and West Virginia Day, creating a unique combination of state pride and national heritage.
Festival activities began Friday with a spaghetti dinner hosted by Ansted Wesleyan Church, followed by the opening ceremony, the start of the softball tournament and an evening performance by the Nite Phix Band.
Saturday featured a full day of activities, including the softball tournament, a tractor show, the parade, the Highlander Reunion, two performances by magician Fletcher Roberts, a side-by-side and ATV show featuring live music by Thomas Danley, a barbecue eating contest, and additional live performances by Peyton Ramsey, The 2 Broke Band and Piney Creek Canyon Band.
The celebration concluded Sunday with church services, a performance by Jerry Skaggs & Co., the festival gun raffle, and the festival raffle.
The weekend ended on a high note Saturday evening as the Ansted Volunteer Fire Department presented a fireworks display that lit up the night sky. The show drew spectators from across the area and served as a fitting finale to a day filled with patriotic celebration and community pride.
