June 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jama Jarrett
304-558-2003, ext. 341
Jama.l.jarrett@wv.gov
Tourism Adventure Media Advisory July 18-27
Battle of Laurel Hill Re-enactment: July 18-20, Belington.
The Battle of Laurel Hill, one of the first battles of America's Civil War, will be commemorated with special events from July 18-20. Opening ceremonies begin Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday’s schedule includes a 5K run, tours, parade, camps and a ball. Sunday includes entertainment by Stephen Foster Review, a re-enactment, tours and a book signing by "Rebels at the Gate" author Hunter Lesser. For more information, visit www.battleoflaurelhill.org or call 304-823-3327.
Don Knotts Hometown Celebration: July 18-19, downtown Morgantown.
Morgantown will celebrate legendary actor/comedian Don Knotts, best known for his role as Deputy Barney Fife on the "The Andy Griffith Show," from July 18-19. The event features Don's daughter Karen Knotts' one-woman show, "Tied Up in Knotts," on the very stage where Don performed in his youth, David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning, Ronnie Schell (Duke on "Gomer Pyle"), trivia contest, memorabilia exhibit, tours, look-a-like contest with $500 prize and more. For information and advance tickets, call (304) 292-5081 or visit www.donknottsstatuefund.org.
25th Annual Bear Hole 10K Road Race: July 19, Twin Falls Resort State Park in Mullens.
Named for the Bear Hole Fork Road, this event features a 10K runners' race, 5K noncompetitive recreational walk and a one-mile children's fun run. The course winds through almost 4,000 acres of deciduous forest on paved roadway at Twin Falls Resort State Park. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 8:45 a.m. The 5K recreational walk starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 10K race begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call (304) 294-4000 or visit www.twinfallsresort.com.
Wild & Wonderful MountainFest 2008 Motorcycle Rally: July 24-27, Morgantown.
Named the "Best Rally of 2006" by Cycle Source magazine, MountainFest offers four days of festivities in the greater Morgantown area and riding on West Virginia's scenic roads and byways from July 24-27. An admission fee of $10 includes four days of the rally, parking, Kansas concert and all attractions. Sunday is family day and includes free admission and drink discounts. Motorcyclists who take part in the 2nd annual MountainFest Poker Run July 18-27 will be eligible to participate in a $20,000 prize drawing. The poker run sites include Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center, Logan; North Bend State Park Lodge, Cairo; Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Snowshoe; Tamarack, Beckley; Turf Motel, Charles Town; Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown; Valley Worlds of Fun, Fairmont; Tucker County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (CVB), Davis; New River CVB, Oak Hill; Hatfield-McCoy Trails, Julian and Man; Quality Hotel Conference Center, Harpers Ferry; Mountwood Park, Waverly; Cole Harley-Davidson Inc., Bluefield; State of West Virginia: Arts & Humanities Cultural Center, Charleston; Mountaineer Race Track & Resort, Chester; Triple S Harley-Davidson Buell, Morgantown; Holly River State Park, Hacker Valley. For more information, call 800-458-7373 or visit www.wvmountainfest.com.
10th Annual Ribfest: July 24-27, Charleston.
The Ribfest features world-class award-winning BBQ rib teams from around the country serving up the best BBQ, chicken and sauces you will ever eat. Featured entertainers include country music greats Highway 101 on Friday night and the legendary Marveletts on Saturday night. The event is located next to the Shoney's Restaurant on Kanawha Boulevard in Charleston. Free parking is available. For more information, visit www.charlestonwvribfest.com or call 304-984-2412.
Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival: July 25-27, Wheeling.
The Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival will attract more than 175,000 visitors from July 25-27. This is the largest Italian festival in West Virginia and the 2nd largest in the United States. Guests are invited to enjoy food, drink and entertainment, including rides for children, music, dance, bocce tournament and fireworks. Hours are from noon -11 p.m. at the Wheeling Heritage Port. For more information, call 304-233-1090 or visit www.italyfest.com.
West Virginia Hot Dog Festival: July 26, Pullman Square in Huntington.
Top hot dog businesses from across the Tri-State Area will gather for the 4th annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival July 26. Enjoy a day of delicious food, music, entertainment, car and motorcycle shows, and contests, including a wiener dog race. All proceeds will benefit the children’s cancer unit at the Edwards' Comprehensive Cancer Center. For a complete schedule, visit www.wvhotdogfestival.com or call 304-525-7788.
Thomas Jefferson Living History Program: July 26, Harpers Ferry.
Bill Barker portrays Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, in two special programs on July 26 in the Lower Town District. Barker will present "This Scene is Worth a Voyage across the Atlantic" at 1 p.m. and the "The Object of Your Mission: Thomas Jefferson and the Lewis and Clark Expedition" at 3 p.m. Cost is $6 per vehicle. For more information, call 304-535-6298 or visit www.nps.gov/hafe/home.htm.
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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 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.