June 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tricia Sizemore
304-558-2003, ext. 319
Tricia.T.Sizemore@wv.gov

 Tourism Adventure Media Advisory

West Virginia Day

On June 20, celebrate the 145 th anniversary of the creation of West Virginia with special events throughout the state.

Welcome Centers

I-77 Welcome Center will serve birthday cake, snacks and free soft drinks to everyone. Representatives from various fairs and festivals and Smokey Bear will be in attendance.

I-70 West Welcome Center will feature representatives from the Ohio Valley Street Rods Car Club, Ohio County Sheriffs Department’s DARE program, McLure House Hotel, Artisan Center, Holiday Inn and Grave Creek Mound. Cake, cookies and other refreshments will be available courtesy of the West Virginia Society for the Blind. Games will also be available. Hours are from noon to 2 p.m.

I-81 North Welcome Center will feature refreshments; crafts; representatives from the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), Martinsburg CVB, Harpers Ferry National Park; Smokey Bear; and the Chick-fil-A mascot.

I-81 Southbound Welcome Center will feature a safety break, representatives from the Falling Waters Battlefield, a portrayal of Abraham Lincoln by Jim Rubin, discount coupons, bottled water from Berkeley Springs and snacks courtesy of the West Virginia Society for the Blind.

I-64 Eastbound Welcome Center will feature representatives from the Brass Pineapple, Hatfield-McCoy Trails, Radio Museum, Songer Whitewater Rafting, Huntington Art Museum, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Osburn Glass, Beech Fork State Park, Ace Whitewater Rafting, Fox Fire Resort and Milton Auto Club, and Smokey Bear.

I-64 Westbound Welcome Center will feature representatives from the Pocahontas County and Greenbrier County CVB; an appearance from Shoney’s mascot, refreshments courtesy of the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center , Jim's Drive-In BBQ, Kroger, Mountain Heritage Floral, Wal-Mart and the West Virginia Society for the Blind; live music; crafters; and giveaways from Shoney’s, Theatre West Virginia, Blenko, Tamarack, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Elk's Country Club; Hampton Inn, Brier Inn, Super 8, Gillespie's Flowers, Alleghany T-Shirts and Food & Friend's.

I-68 West Welcome Center will feature a bluegrass band, representatives from local motels, snacks courtesy of the West Virginia Society for the Blind , Smokey Bear, crafters, and birthday cake. Donations will be accepted for hot dogs and grilled hamburgers from PROMISE.

Free swim at select State Parks

In honor of West Virginia’s birthday, Gov. Joe Manchin announced a free swim day on June 20 at various state parks, including Audra, Babcock, Beech Fork, Berkeley Springs, Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area, Bluestone State Park, Cabwaylingo State Forest, Cacapon Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Cedar Creek, Chief Logan State Park, Greenbrier State Forest, Holly River, Lost River, Moncove Lake, Panther State Forest, Pipestem Resort, Twin Falls Resort, Watoga, and Watters Smith. For more information, visit www.wvstateparks.com or call 1-800-CALL WVA.

Other West Virginia Day events and activities

West Virginia Day at Live on the Levee. 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 provided 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 . Prickett’s Fort State Park in Fairmont will commemorate the 145 th 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 at 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 at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

Take a glimpse into the state’s past as Canaan Valley Resort in Davis hosts its 12 th annual West Virginia Day celebration from June 20-22 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.

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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.

West Virginia Division of Tourism · 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW · South Charleston, WV 25303 · 304-558-2200 · 1-800-CALL-WVA · FAX: 304-558-2459 · www.callwva.com
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