Looking for something to do in southern West Virginia this coming week? Here are some ideas.
June 13: The Cole Chevy Mountain Festival
For more than 30 years, the Cole Chevy Mountain Festival has provided carnival rides, a lumberjack contest, a petting zoo, traditional carnival food, vendor entertainment, music and summer fun.
The festival will be held from Friday, June 4, through Sunday, June 13, at Bluefield City Park.
Learn more about the festival here. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.
June 13: Little Beaver Fishing Derby (Free Fishing Weekend!)
West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend is back on Sunday, June 13.
During the event, residents and non-residents alike are able to fish in West Virginia for free. The annual event gives novice and returning anglers the opportunity to fish without a license.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources participates in various activities during National Fishing and Boating Week and Free Fishing Weekend.
More information about fishing in West Virginia is available online wvdnr.gov and in the 2021 Fishing Regulations brochure, which is available online and at authorized Fishing License Agents.
Following the conclusion of West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend, anglers must have a valid fishing license to fish in the state. To purchase a new license or to renew an existing license, visit wvfish.com.
Read more about West Virginia’s free fishing weekend here.
June 13: Tamarack Courtyard Concerts
The Tamarack Marketplace Courtyard Concert series is scheduled to welcome Rail Splitters, a bluegrass band, to the stage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 13.
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 Rail Splitters here.
June 15: Taco Tuesday with Colby Elswick
Join musician Colby Elswick for Taco Tuesday on June 15.
The event, which is said to feature “tacos, tunes, sunsets and good times,” will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill in Lansing.
Click here for more information on the event and here for more information on Colby Elswick.
June 18 and June 19: Annual Beach Blast at Lake Stephens
Lake Stephens and Raleigh County Parks and Recreation are hosting the Annual Beach Blast from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19.
In addition to the regular amenities at Lake Stephens, there will be carnival rides, music, food trucks, vendors, games, contests, and prizes.
Admission is $5 per car. Beach, water park passes, rides, and food are separate costs.
For more information, visit raleighcountyparks.org, call 304-934-5323, or email parksandrec@raleighcounty.com.
Read more about the Beach Blast here.
June 18: Fridays in the Park
Fridays in the Park has returned to Beckley, meaning live music and food trucks will decorate Word Park in Uptown Beckley from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 18.
The event’s organizers invite those far and wide to finish their workweek with lunch as they support the community, relax, and listen to local entertainment.
Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
June 18 through June 18: Thrills in the Hills
From 2 p.m. on Friday, June 18 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, Thrills in the Hills will take place at Burning Road Off Road Park. The park, which is 3.5 miles from the town of Sophia, is situated on 10,000 acres and offers over 100 miles of trails ranging from the “family-friendly” Trams Loop to the “winch recommended, enter at your own risk” favorite- The Amazon.
Campers are able to purchase weekend passes for $40 and enjoy night rides, poker runs, the Amazon Challenge, pool tournaments, mystery rides, hill climbs and more. Click here for Friday and Saturday’s full schedule.
Those hoping to attend the event are encouraged to book soon as there is limited lodging and hookup sites are going fast. Event passes are only available at the park’s General Store located at 171 Burning Rock Drive in Sophia.
Find more information on the weekend event here or by calling 304-683-9242.
June 19: Skyline Car Show
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, the Skyline Car Show will be held at Skyline Resort in Ghent.
The event will feature a car show, prizes, dash plaques, a cookout in the front field and a concert by Transit Time, a 45-year-old band that plays songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s and a little bit of country. Learn more about the band here.
Skyline Lodge, Pub & Grill is located at 127 Lakeview Drive. Call 304-787-6210 for more information.
June 19: Tamarack Courtyard Concerts
The Tamarack Marketplace Courtyard Concert series is scheduled to welcome Wine and Rosetto to the stage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 19.
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 Wine and Roses here.
June 19 and June 20: Father’s Day weekend at Glade Springs
The Resort at Glade Springs will celebrate fathers from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20.
The events are as follows:
Saturday, June 19
“Nine and Dine”
- special 9-hole golf rate at $55 per player all-day
Cookout on Bunker’s Lawn from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- The cookout will feature ribs, burgers and hot dogs with potato salad, BBQ beans and chips. Beers, sodas and water will also be available.
Kid’s Craft Table
- kids can make their dad’s a card for the occasion
Live music at Bunkers from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- music by the Untrained Professionals
Sunday, June 20
“Nine and Dine”
- special 9-hole golf rate at $55 per player all-day
Cookout on Bunker’s Lawn from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- The cookout will feature ribs, burgers and hot dogs with potato salad, BBQ beans and chips. Beers, sodas and water will also be available.
Visit The Resort at Glade Springs on Facebook for more information.
June 19: Stuck in West Virginia Party
From 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, June 19, the night before West Virginia Day, the Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill in Lansing will host the Stuck in West Virginia Party.
The party will celebrate West Virginia and will feature live music from Steel Pterodactyl, Paul n Corey and Seldom Free.
Learn more about the event here.
June 20: Bridge Walk
In celebration of West Virginia Day, a state holiday, and Father’s Day, Bridge Walk will offer $39 guided tours of the New River Gorge Bridge from the catwalk, which sits 25 feet beneath the bridge. Dads walk for free.
The tours, which are two to three hours in length, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 20.
After checking in, Bridge Walk guests will be shuttled to the Canyon Rim Visitor’s Center on the north side of the Bridge. A short path will lead participants to the Bridge, where they will enter the catwalk in the midst of the massive iron structure.
The catwalk is 24 feet wide with substantial railing. Before beginning the tour, guests will be securely fastened onto a safety cable, making it impossible to fall from the bridge during the tour. Bridge Walk guests will walk the entire 3,030-foot length of the bridge and are then shuttled back to the Bridge Walk headquarters. Bridge tours move along at a leisurely pace, and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or discuss features of the bridge, New River Gorge and the National Park.
Visit bridgewalk.com for more information.
June 20: Tamarack Courtyard Concerts
From 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, the Tamarack Marketplace Courtyard Concert series will welcome Matt Mullins and Mick Souter. The concert is being extended for West Virginia Day celebrations.
Mullins will perform from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with Souter to follow from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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 Matt Mullins here.
June 20: Bluegrass & Country at the Corner
The Chimney Corner Café in Ansted is inviting everyone to enjoy West Virginia Day and Father’s Day with them for Bluegrass & Country at the Corner on Sunday, June 20.
The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature live music from the Long Point String Band, an Old-Time acoustic outfit from southern West Virginia, and more.
Admission is $10. Learn more here.
Chimney Corner Café is located at 15323 Midland Trail in Anstead.