There is nothing more exciting than a cool, late September evening in Kingwood! The Buckwheat Festival brings thousands of visitors each year and is a “crowning” jewel of West Virginia’s festival culture!   

One of the state’s biggest festivals is the Buckwheat Festival, occurring in late September in Kingwood, West Virginia. Witness a glass blowing or wood-carving exhibit, or catch a game of Irish Road Bowling. Feast on one of the West Virginia’s most unique dishes, the buckwheat cake, while attending one of several parades throughout the weekend. Residents from all over the state come up to view the attractions, experience a thrill ride or two, and see the crowning of the Buckwheat Queen!



  • The West Virginia Day celebration in Kingwood celebrates the birthday of the state each year on June 20. Held at the McGrew House in Kingwood, the event features WV artifacts and stories, photographs and more. Refreshments and some entertainment is available. The community works together to commemorate the creation of West Virginia as a state. Main Street, Kingwood, W.Va. 26537
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  • The Valley District Fair is held each summer in Reedsville at the Reedsville Volunteer Fire Department grounds. Activities include a pageant, parade, food vendors, small games and entertainment. There are also mud bog, truck & tractor and ATV races and pulls. RR 7, Reedsville, W.Va. 26547
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  • Terra Alta offers a chance for residents and visitor’s to celebrate the oldest, continuous July 4th celebration in the state of West Virginia with carnival rides, vendors, fire department giveaways, chicken dinners cooked by the TAVFD, a parade, fireworks, and a demolition derby. RR 7, Terra Alta, W.Va. 26764
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  • Annual River City Festival on Memorial Day Weekend is always a smashing success with a parade, a play, barbershop quartet, magician, poetry, original Rowlesburg piano composition, and capped off by the outstanding voice of soprano Cristina Nassif singing arias from favorite operas. Visit www.rowlesburg.org/rivercity.html. or call 304-329-1230  for more information. RR 72, Rowlesburg, W.Va. 26425 304-329-1230
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  • Buckwheat Festival

    Late in the Great Depression, rural West Virginia and Preston County found economic recovery slow and tedious. Local farmers grew buckwheat, although mainly for animal feed, as an “insurance crop” because of its short growing season and good quality; it was thought that perhaps this grain might spur agricultural economic growth. For this reason and for its uniqueness, buckwheat was chosen as the focus for an end-of-harvest homecoming when farmers could relax, have fun, and compete – thus blossomed the Preston County Buckwheat Festival! The first Buckwheat Festival was held October 13 -15, 1938 and included an all-day horse trading and a farmer’s auction. Early festival activities were located on the east lawn of the courthouse, and attendees enjoyed sack races, hog calling for women, husband calling, nail driving for women, eating contests, tugs of war, and rolling pin throwing. As the festival continued, buckwheat and other agricultural crops were exhibited, a king and queen were selected, and a banquet of buckwheat cakes and sausage were served. Now, the Preston County Buckwheat Festival is held in Kingwood each year, featuring livestock shows, local artisan vendors, carnival rides, project exhibits, parades and of course, buckwheat cakes and sausage! The event is held the last Thursday of every September and is enjoyed by people of all ages, some traveling across the nation to attend. Price Street, Kingwood, W.Va. 26537 http://www.buckwheatfest.com
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  • This is Rowlesburg’s modern day “Claim to Fame” & visitors come from all corners of the USA to partake in a gastronomic treat found only in the Cheat River Valley.  The park crew light the BBQ pit fire on Sunday night so that the ox roasts slowly to a moist, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.  The fire is tended all night to make sure your portion is high quality.  In additon to great food, there is a carnival, music & other entertainment, plus a finale of fireworks from Cannon Hill over the river. Rowlesburg Park, Rowlesburg, W.Va. 26425 http://www.rowlesburg.org,  www.rowlesburgguide.com,  www.rowlesburg.info
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  • Black Horse

    The New Deal Festival is held annually in July to celebrate the unique history of the first New Deal Homestead Community of Arthurdale. The event is sponsored by Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. with food, entertainment, antique car, tractor, & tractor show, kids activities, wagon rides, crafts & artisan demos.  This non-profit organization was formed to “restore yesterday for tomorrow.” For more information about the event and what it features, please visit www.newdealfestival.org. Arthurdale Heritage, PO Box 850,  Arthurdale, W.Va. 26547 www.newdealfestival.org
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  • Good Neighbor Day Festivities is held in Bruceton Mills, WV every July with fireworks, a parade, rides, food and other events. The Good Neighbor Day Festivities is held by Bruceton/Brandonville VFD. Main Street, Bruce Mills, W.Va. 26525
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  • FELLOWSVILLE FIREMANS FIELD DAY

    The Annual Fellowsville VFD Fireman’s Field Day is held each year in June.  The field day includes the “Battle of the Barrels” which involves local fire departments coming together for a little “friendly” competition, crowds gather to watch the biggest event of the day and that is the Snowy Creek Antique Tractor Club’s tractor pull.  There are also a kids bucket brigade race, foot races, other games, entertainment, music and a BBQ.  It is a chance for the Preston County community to get together and have some fun! RR 50, Fellowsville, W.Va. 26444 Facebook
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  • Chestnut Festival

    The WV Chestnut Festival is honoring the great American Chestnut Tree and the research scientists dedicated to restoring them back to their natural forest habitat. Held in the Rowlesburg Park with vendors, roasting chestnuts, chestnut saplings, distinguished guest speakers and banquet. Rowlesburg, W.Va. http://www.wvchestnutfestival.com
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  • CHEAT RIVER FESTIVAL

    The Cheat River Festival, known affectionately as Cheat Fest, is held every year in Albright, West Virginia on the first weekend in May. Featuring kayaking, rafting, camping, bands, vendors, games, food and festivities, Cheat Fest has something to offer everyone who loves the outdoors. The Friends of the Cheat (FOC), the group responsible for the Cheat River Festival each year, hosts this extravaganza to raise money to protect their most precious of natural resources, that is the Cheat River. Check out the Cheat River Festival Photo Gallery and begin to see what makes this event so special. For more information visit www.cheatfest.org Albright, W.Va. 26537
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  • Annual Heritage Days are held in Aurora in partnership with the Aurora Project and the Aurora Historical Society in the month of June along Rt. 50 in Preston County. The events begin Friday evening and run through Saturday.  Plenty of food will be available the whole weekend including BBQ Chicken, hot dogs, and baked goods. There will be craft tables, a yard sale, pictures of Aurora businesses and celebrating local history and Appalachian culture. 304-735-3620 or 304-735-6557 RR 50, Aurora, W.Va. 26705 www.auroraproject.org www.aurorahistoricalsociety.com
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