Looking for something to do in southern West Virginia this coming week? Here are some ideas.
August 29: Tamarack Courtyard Concerts
The Tamarack Marketplace Courtyard Concert series is scheduled to welcome the Jonah Carden to the stage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 22.
The event will offer free live music in Tamarack’s outdoor courtyard. Guests will be able to browse through the center’s retail space and Fine Art Gallery following the show.
Learn more about Carden and his music here.
September 1: Pub n’ Play
Join those at the Gaines Estate on Wednesday, September 1, for Pub n’ Play- a night filled with fun, laughter and delicious drinks. The house bar will be open to the public from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
According to event organizers, there will be yard games, live music and food trucks.
The Gaines Estate is located at 225 W. Maple Street in Fayetteville.
Click here for more information on the event.
September 2 through September 5: Oak Leaf Festival
Thursday, September 2 through Sunday, September 5, Oak Hill will host the 22nd Annual Oak Leaf Festival. The festival will kick off with a Meet and Greet with Oak Hill Middle School and continue throughout the weekend with a Jeep Show, bands, games, vendors, car shows, a chili cook-off, fireworks, a video game tournament, Sweet Taste of Oak Hill and more.
The grand parade will take place on Saturday, September 4.
Even organizers say the Oak Leaf Festival will be a fun-filled weekend for all ages.
Learn more about the event here.
September 2 through September 8: 2021 Pineville Labor Day Celebration
The Pineville Fire Department will celebrate the return of its annual Labor Day Celebration from September 2 through September 8.
After a year off, plans are being made to return all the event’s traditional activities, including the carnival, food and games, live entertainment, parade, and end things with our fireworks display.
Contact Pineville Town Hall at 304-732-6255 or see any member of the Fire Department for more information.
September 3: Blair Day at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, September 3, Beckley will commemorate the Battle of Blair Mountain Centennial at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
The event will offer tours with added commentary on the significance of the mine wars and the Battle of Blair Mountain. This hands-on exhibition and underground coal mining tour offer wonderful opportunities for visitors to learn, explore, interact and share. As the focal points of the City’s lovely New River Park, the Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum draw thousands of people to the area annually.
During the event, visitors can expect:
- An underground tram that takes you for a ride through the dark passages of a vintage coal mine. Guides are veteran miners who provide firsthand accounts of the daily responsibilities and travail of past and present-day miners.
- A true representation of early 20th-century coal camp life by visiting the period Coal Camp with restored buildings situated throughout the grounds. In addition to miners’ homes, buildings include the Coal Company House, Superintendent’s Home, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and the Helen Coal Camp School.
- A view of the Mountain Homestead, which is surrounded by inviting lawns, colorful flowers, picnic areas, an imposing coal miner statue, and a whimsical 20 ft. “Peace Totem”.
- Insight into the life and work of miners.
- A gift shop is stocked with West Virginia items & freshly made fudge.
- A free gift of the Blair Commemorative Journal
Admission is $22 for adults, $12.50 for children and $16 for seniors. There are also group rates for 15 or more.
For more information, click here or reach out to Leslie Baker, 304.256.1747.
September 3 through September 6: 2021 Sunflower Festival
The 2021 Sunflower Festival will be held from 12 p.m. on Friday, September 3, to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 6, at the Sunset Berry Farm in Alderson.
While festival events will take place Labor Day weekend, the sunflower field itself will be open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. all weekends (once sunflowers are in bloom) and weekdays by appointment only. Events include field games, paintball, face painting, fairy garden scavenger hunts and more. There will also be vendors and food concessions.
Bring your own camera to capture amazing photos or check out the amazing photographers posted in the discussion section of this event! Photographers enjoy FREE admission but all clients pay regular gate admission described below.
Gate admission is $20 per person or $50 per family.
September 3 through September 6: ACE Weekend
ACE Adventure Resort is celebrating Labor Day weekend by giving back to its guests. Get great deals on rafting trips and outdoor adventures plus killer end-of-the-year sales at both the ACE gear shop in Fayetteville and outfitter store on the property. Demo boats and gear will also be for sale not to mention an ACE yard sale where you never know what you will find.
Daily Events:
- Friday – Outdoor Film Festival
- Saturday – Craft Beer Showcase / Live Music @ Lost Paddle 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Clam Bake on the Beach
- Sunday – Yard Sale
Learn more here.
September 4: Furry Tails With a Twist
The Greenbrier Valley Theater will host Furry Tails With a Twist at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 4.
The sensory-friendly performance is designed for children and adults with sensory input disorder, autism or other developmental, cognitive and physical disabilities. Families and caretakers are also invited to attend.
The performance tells the tale of two helpless actors, Sam and Alex, who try to tell a few beloved fairy tale classics but as their tales get twisted it will take everyone’s help to get the stories straight. The audience will learn creative story-telling techniques while they enjoy fast-paced, interactive fun in this family-friendly production. Please be sure to purchase the correct ticket type so we can ensure there are enough seats for every child who wants to enjoy the production.
Due to Covid-19, no food or beverages will be served during the show, but brown bags will be available following the performance. Please inform the Education Director if you or your child have any food allergies or sensitivities at kiersten@gvtheatre.org or call (304)645-3838 ext. 111.
September 4: Festival of the Rivers
Campbell Flannagan Murrell House Museum is excited to be hosting festivals once again. The Festival of the Rivers will be held from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 4.
The festival’s schedule is as follows:
- 12 p.m.: Common Ground
- 1:15 p.m.: Chris Hopson
- 2:30 p.m.: TBA
- 3:45 p.m.: Bicycle
- 5 p.m.: Valley Bluegrass
- 7 p.m.: Mean Mary
Click here for more information.
September 4: Tamarack Courtyard Concerts
The Tamarack Marketplace Courtyard Concert series is scheduled to welcome Ryan Smith to the stage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 4.
The event will offer free live music in Tamarack’s outdoor courtyard. Guests will be able to browse through the center’s retail space and Fine Art Gallery following the show.
September 4: Reenactment of the Murder of Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers
On August 1, 1921, “Smilin” Sid Hatfield, the Sheriff of Matewan, and Ed Chambers, an organizer with the United Mine Workers of America, were gunned down by Baldwin-Felt Detectives on the steps of the McDowell County Courthouse in Welch, right in front of their wives. Prosecutors indicted three detectives — C.E. Lively, George “Buster” Pence and William Salters for Chamber’s murder, but all three were found not guilty.
From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, actors will reenact the event at the McDowell County Courthouse.
The event, which will show how the event helped spark the Battle of Blair Mountain, is free for all to attend.
For more information, contact: Michelle Whittaker, randyswife40@gmail.com, 304-436-2609
September 4: Screening of the movie “Matewan”
The City of Welch will host a screening of the movie “Matewan” at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Pocahontas Theatre- located at 60 McDowell Street in Welch.
“Matewan” is the 1987 film written and directed by John Sayles and starring Chris Cooper (in his film debut), James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, and David Strathairn. The film dramatizes the events of the Matewan Massacre and the events that led to the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921.
Variety Magazine lauded the film, writing, “Matewan” is a heartfelt, straight-ahead tale of labor organizing in the coal mines of West Virginia in 1920 that runs its course like a train coming down the track.”
Admission is $5.
September 4: The Terror of the Tug
The Terror of the Tug, written by Jean Battlo, is an outdoor drama based on the West Virginia coal mine wars and the story of the murder of Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers on the steps of the McDowell County Courthouse.
The backdrop of the story is southern West Virginia miners’ fight to join the UMWA, resulting in the murder of Hatfield and Chambers on the steps of the Courthouse in Welch in August of 1921. This is a pivotal event in the struggles of the miners and their families that later led to the Battle of Blair Mountain. This is a must-see to understand both the historical and dramatic impact on the lives of so many in West Virginia history.
During the performance, four storytellers will provide their unique viewpoints and opinions of what and how it happened and attendees will be able to make their own conclusion about the event and who shot who. Attendees will learn about the hardship that the miners endured working for the coal company before the union was established and gain insights into Southern West Virginia’s coal mining heritage.
The performance will take place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the McArts Amphitheatre on Mt. View Road located off Rt 52 in Kimball.
Tickets can be purchased at the event. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children five to 12, and free for children under the age of five.
Learn more about The Terror of the Tug and see photos here.
For more information, contact: Michelle Whittaker at randyswife40@gmail.com or by calling 304-436-2609
September 5: Music on Main
From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 5, Harmony for Hope will host Music on Main. This event will take place every Sunday until September 12, 2021.
Join Harmony for Hope each Sunday morning on Main Street for inspirational music, coffee and community. Get updated on what’s going on in the area, share stories about what you’re doing and enjoy the company of neighbors on your way to your Sunday morning place of worship.
This event will take place outdoors.
Learn more about Music on Main here.
September 5: Tamarack Courtyard Concerts
The Tamarack Marketplace Courtyard Concert series is scheduled to welcome Randy Gilkey to the stage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 4. Gilkey is a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer from Oak Hill.
The event will offer free live music in Tamarack’s outdoor courtyard. Guests will be able to browse through the center’s retail space and Fine Art Gallery following the show
Learn more about Gilkey here.
September 5: The Great Beckley Beer Festival 2
The Great Beckley Beer Festival is back and better than ever in 2021. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“After an incredible first year in 2019, we’ve had plenty of time to plan and improve upon an already wonderful event,” said event organizers. “This year, we’re doubling down on our commitment to local food, vendors, music, and most importantly craft beer.”
Beckley Intermodal Gateway, in the heart of Downtown Beckley, is host to this fantastic day of celebrating the tastes, sights, and sounds of West Virginia. Dozens of delicious craft beers and local culinary delights in a beautiful setting.
Proceeds from the festival will go towards funding future art and entertainment projects from WVCollective in the future.