June 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tricia Sizemore
304-558-2003, ext. 319
Tricia.T.Sizemore@wv.gov
Tourism Adventure Media Advisory June 13-22

37th Annual Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival: June 13-15, Charles Town.
This festival is one of the most prestigious on the East Coast. Approximately 200 vendors will display their quality arts and crafts at this annual event from June 13-15. Also available are craft demonstrations and live bluegrass entertainment. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-17 and free for those under 6. Get a $1 off the cost of regular admission with a coupon available at www.jeffersoncounty.com/festival. For more information, call 304-725-2055 or 800-624-0577.

Grand Opening Tour of Wildlife Viewing Area: June 14, Greenbrier State Forest in Caldwell.
The Division of Forestry offers a grand opening tour of the wildlife viewing area at Greenbrier State Forest on June 14. Those interested in a tour of the wildlife viewing area while the local song birds are singing up a storm, should meet at the picnic area parking lot of Greenbrier State Forest at 9 a.m. To participate in the daybreak bird chorus, please contact Allen Waldron at (304) 256-6775 or allen.b.waldron@wv.gov.

West Virginia Day Concert: June 15, Kanawha State Forest in Charleston.
Kanawha State Forest will host the Kanawha Valley Community Band on June 15. This concert will honor West Virginia Day and will be at the swimming pool area at 2 p.m. For additional information, please call (304) 925-2771.

West Virginia Coal Festival; June 17-21, Madison.
Celebrate the state's coal heritage at the 15th annual West Virginia Coal Festival June 17-21. Activities consist of a miners' memorial service, mine equipment display, Nashville entertainers, parade and fireworks. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 304-369-9118 or visit www.wvcoalmuseum.org or www.boonecountywv.org.

13th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival: June 20-22, City Park in Parkersburg.
This international festival offers folk music and dancers, exotic ethnic foods and a wide variety of music and crafts. There will be music and dance that includes Latin, African, Polka, Irish, Scottish, Steel Drums, Jazz, traditional Appalachian, Rock & Roll, Greek, Asian, Indian and Native American. Vendors will be selling craft merchandise of both international and local flavor. A craft area for children also is featured. Admission is free.  For more information, call 304-428-5555 or visit www.movmcf.org.

West Virginia Day at Live on the Levee: June 20, Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston.
An evening of West Virginia music, state-brewed beer and great food at Haddad Riverfront Park is waiting at the West Virginia Day at Live on the Levee June 20. The event includes The Davisson Brothers Band of Clarksburg performing high-energy country rock with an authentic, state-of-the-art hillbilly flavor; music by Brian Diller; and the sharp-witted tunes of Todd Burge. For more information, visit www.festivallcharleston.com.

West Virginia Day at Prickett’s Fort State Park: June 20, Fairmont.
Prickett's Fort State Park will commemorate the 145th anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood on June 20. During this special day, guests will be able to enter for a $1 fee and receive free birthday cake and lemonade. For more information, call 304-363-3030 or visit www.prickettsfortstatepark.com.

West Virginia Day Celebration: June 20-21, West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling.
Celebrate the creation of the state of West Virginia at the statehood shrine where the constitutional conventions were held. On June 20, morning tours, re-enactors and a concert will be available. Activities for June 21 include children's crafts, lecture, games and demonstrations. For more information, call 304-238-1300 or visit www.wvculture.org/sites/.html.

West Virginia Days Celebration and Civil War Re-enactment: June 20–22, Canaan Valley Resort State Park in Davis.
Take a glimpse into the state's past as Canaan Valley Resort hosts its 12th annual West Virginia Day celebration with a Civil War re-enactment, encampment and battlefield surgery demonstration. Other activities include arts and crafts, hayrides and much more. For more information, call 304-866-4121 or visit www.canaanresort.com.

Ron Hinkle Art Glass: June 21, The Bronze Look in Princeton.
Join The Bronze Look as they host Buckhannon native and glass artist Ron Hinkle for special demonstrations and exhibits on June 21. Hinkle offers more than 20 years experience in creating handcrafted works of art. From original designer vases to Christmas ornaments, his passion for glass making is shown in every piece of art. His work has been featured numerous times on the official West Virginia Christmas tree and the Christmas Pageant of Peace trees at the White House in Washington, D.C. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Giveaways and special promotions will be available. The Bronze Look has been selected as a preferred gallery to acquire Hinkle's stunning art in Southern West Virginia. It will host Fenton cameo artists Kelsey Murphy and Robert Bomkamp on July 18 and 19 and Fenton master artist Dave Fetty on August 15 and 16. For more information, call 304-425-5005.

Coal River Tour de Coal: June 21, Tornado.
Hundreds of boaters will take to the river at the fourth annual Coal River Tour de Coal event on June 21. The boat float starts at Meadowood Park in Tornado, W.Va., at 9 a.m. Canoes, kayaks and paddlers of all kind are welcome to this event. Participants will float 11 miles down the Coal River to St. Albans and take out at the Gateway Shopping Center. The Coal River Group asks for a $15 donation and all participants will receive t-shirts commemorating the event. For more information, visit www.coalrivergroup.com.

2nd Annual Wiener Dog Races: June 21, Charleston.
Sponsored by the West Side Main Street Program, this dachshund race will take place at the Stonewall Jackson Middle School lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, race-goers will be able to enjoy music, food and drink from vendors, caricature art, a pet blessing, splash pools, advice on pet-care issues from Valley West Veterinary Clinic, costume parade contest, as well as actual wiener dog races. An old-fashioned ice cream social and songfest is scheduled for June 22 at the Stonewall Jackson Middle School lawn from noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy ice cream cones, homemade pie and cake concessions, music and dancing, and games for the kids. Free ice cream will be provided by United Dairy. For more information, call 304-720-3161 or e-mail director@westsidemainstreet.org.

West Virginia Spring Wine Festival: June 21-22, Crab Orchard.
Scheduled at Daniels Vineyards from June 21-22, this is a must-attend event for lovers of fine wine, good music and great food. Admission is $10 and includes wine tasting from West Virginia’s wineries, commemorative glass and entertainment. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 21 and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 22. For more information, call 304-252-9450 or visit www.danielvineyards.com.

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The West Virginia Division of Tourism produces this media advisory with the help of other agencies and tourism businesses across the Mountain State. If you wish for additional information about coming events in the Mountain State or if you are an event organizer or promoter and would like to have your event considered for inclusion in the Adventure Advisory, please contact Tricia Sizemore at tricia.t.sizemore@wv.gov.