FAIRS & FESTIVALS
MAY
Feast of the Ramson • May 15
Celebrate WV’s oldest Ramp Festival in Richwood with a huge ramp dinner, mountain music, a pageant, and an Appalachian Arts & Crafts Show.
Gospel Bluegrass Convention • May 21–23
WV Mountain State Gospel Singers Corporation, Mt. Nebo. No admission. Donations appreciated. Concessions available. All Gospel Bluegrass groups welcome, all singers welcome. 304-872-1977
JUNE
Music at the Pavilion Fridays • June – mid-August
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at the City Pavilion in downtown Summersville. Free to the public. Bring your lawn chair.
Gather in the Garden • June – August
Free concerts in the Sterling Spencer Sculpture Garden, Main St., Richwood, 7-9 p.m. Music, food and fun for the family.
WV Quilt Festival • June 17–19
Held every year at the Summersville Arena & Conference Center. You won’t want to miss seeing the finest quilts in the
region! Vendors and classes throughout the entire festival. Concessions also available.
Summersville Lake Lighthouse 8th Birthday Celebration • June
Please join us as we celebrate the 8th Birthday of the Summersville Lake Lighthouse, along with the 158th birthday of the state of West Virginia. Live entertainment, car show, Appalachian food and craft vendors, raffles, live snake exhibit, K9 demonstrations, meet and greet booth with a WSAZ representative and 2020 Lighthouse Festival Royalty, along with Smoky the Bear and Bobber the Water Dog and much more. First 50 vehicles receive a bag filled with local business incentives and trophies awarded at 5 p.m.
JULY
Fourth of July Fireworks
Held every year at Northside. Sponsored by the City of Summersville and the Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Scenic Mountain Triathlon • July 11
Compete in one of WV’s most challenging triathlons as you swim, run, and bike in the Monongahela National Forest near Richwood.
Nicholas County Fair
Check CVB website for updated information Amusement rides, food, entertainment, games and activities. Held at the Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade • July 24
Celebrate Irish heritage with the grand parade, great food, prizes and Irish beer. Like us on Facebook.
71st Annual Gospel State Convention • July 23–25
West Virginia Mountain State Gospel Singers Corporation, Mt. Nebo. No admission. Donations appreciated. Concessions available. All singers welcome. 304-872-1977
Cherry River Festival • August 1–7
Come enjoy music, rides, pageants and events throughout the week in Richwood as well as some great food and games. The Fireman’s Parade on Friday night starts off the weekend fun followed by the Grand Parade, 5K & 10K run and craft show on Saturday.
AUGUST
Summersville Lake Retreat Lighthouse Festival • August
Join us for the 8th Annual Summersville Lake Lighthouse Festival & Car Show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Summersville Lake Retreat. TV3 News Anchor Taylor Eaton will be here to Meet & Greet along with our 2020 Lighthouse Festival Royalty. Artisans and crafters from throughout the state will be showcasing their skills along with live Appalachian music, great food, and entertainment. Live snake exhibit, K9 demonstrations, Smokey the Bear and Bobber the Water Dog will be roaming the festival throughout the day. Nicholas County Animal Shelter will have free adoptions for their puppies and kittens until 1 p.m. First 100 vehicles registered in car show receive a bag filled with local business incentives. Trophies awarded at 5 p.m.
Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta #10 • August
The “Mama” isn’t just for sailors, it’s for all those that wish to be part of a greater effort! It’s a time for family, good food and fun on and in the clear waters of Summersville Lake. Consider joining at Battle Run Beach.
Mountain Arts Festival • August 7–8
As part of the weeklong celebration of art, artisans and crafters will demonstrate their special skills and craftsmanship 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Most of their art will be for sale. Contact Carl O’Dell at 304-846-6782.
Wally’s Squadron R/C Fly In • August 18–21
Butler Field - Phillips Run Rd. North of Summersville. Remote controlled Model aircraft of all types. Vendors, raffles.
SEPTEMBER
Nicholas County Potato Festival • Sept. 10–11
Downtown Summersville. Celebrating friends, fun and potatoes! Plenty of games, entertainment, amusement rides, pet pageant, mashed potato, tater tot and hot wing eating contests, potato decorating, food, craft vendors, Grand Parade, tractor and car shows, 5K race, spud hunt and sack race, potato exhibit and auction. Firemen’s Parade and Potato Idol Contest.
nicholascountypotatofestival.com
National Grandparents’ Day Celebration • September 12
Held in Richwood, many of the 15 McQuade children return every year to the town where they were raised to elebrate with us. Marion McQuade founded the day to celebrate grandparents.
Special September Gospel Sing • September 10–12
WV Mountain State Gospel Singers Corporation, Mt. Nebo. No admission. Donations appreciated. Concessions available. All singers welcome.
304-872-1977
Grape Stompin’ Festival • September 18–19
Sponsored by Kirkwood Winery. Entertainment, wine tasting and tours, food, games and activities. Special grape stomping contest.
Gauley Fest • September 16–19
Sponsored by the American Whitewater Association, this festival celebrates whitewater rafting. Activities include entertainment, vendors, food and high adventure on the Gauley River. Held at the Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park.
Mountain Heritage Day • September 25
Artists and Crafters demonstrate their craft at Richwood City Hall parking lot.
Cranberry Shindig • September 28
One day celebration of Appalachian culture set against a backdrop of color. Entertainment, artisan demonstrations, food and fun. 11am-4pm
Visit Cranberry Mountain Nature Center.
Craigsville Fall Festival • September
Parades, arts and crafts, food, entertainment, Queen’s Pageant, Children’s Pageant and more.
OCTOBER
Fenwick Mountain Old Time Community Festival • October
Tractors, blacksmiths, apple butter, games, food, friends and more. There will be various demonstrations including making apple butter. Auction at 2 p.m. Check out the Facebook Event Page for more info.
Mountain Color Art Show • October
The opening reception and awards ceremony is on Sunday, Oct. 4 2 p.m.–4 p.m. This is free to the public - exhibition includes work from award-winning artists from Nicholas and surrounding counties as well as from across the state. Following the opening day celebrations, the art can also be viewed throughout the week 5pm-8pm each evening.
NOVEMBER
Holiday Craft Extravaganza • November 19–20
The Summersville Arena & Conference Center Huge craft show extravaganza with over 100 craft vendors.
DECEMBER
Hometown Holiday Marketplace • December 11
An oldfashioned Christmas shopping experience as you shop storefronts along Richwood’s Historic Main Street and other surrounding locations from 10 a.m–3:30 p.m. It will be a full day of shopping with artisans and crafters selling unique homemade items—along with music, food, buggy rides, shuttle stops at each location and, of course, Santa Claus.
EVENT DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Learn More!
You can visit us at the Summersville CVB Visitor's Center at 3 Armory Way in Summersville or call us at 304-872-3722 for more information. You can also download our 2021 VISITOR'S GUIDE here!