economic development associated with it . This marks a historic moment for Marshall University as , for the first time in its history , it has a home for its baseball team . The Marshall family has long awaited its own baseball stadium , and now it has finally become a reality .”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , Heritage Farm Museum and Village implemented new adventure components such as a rock-climbing wall , ziplining and a challenge course . Heritage Farm plans to add a yearround ski and sledding park .
“ It ’ s going to be one of the few of its kind in the country . Heritage Farm aims to start construction this summer , and it is projected to be
Photo by Huntington Area CVB . Photo by Huntington Area CVB .
open for the winter 2024-2025 season ,” shares Tyson Compton , president of Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau .
Two of Huntington ’ s most notable festivals are the West Virginia Hot Dog Festival and Rails & Ales . The hot dog festival is held on the last Saturday of July . Hot dog businesses from all around the state come together to raise money for children in the region facing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses . Rails & Ales is a beer festival that takes place along the Ohio River . It ’ s hosted by the Better Beer Coalition , whose mission is to promote a craft beer culture in the area and to improve access by demonstrating the local demand to craft breweries and distributors .
Another draw for tourists and locals alike is Blenko Glass Company . Blenko is one of the last surviving glass manufacturers in West Virginia .
“ We make all of our glass from scratch , which is unique in most art glass contexts ,” says James Arnett , creative director for Blenko . “ We make our moulds for production work from scratch . Our design work and , of course , our glass working , is done on our campus . We are purely Appalachian and American in our manufacturing model and methodologies , which we ’ re incredibly proud of . It ’ s a perfectly American product that you ’ re buying .”
With these dynamic initiatives happening throughout the city , Huntington is bound to flourish as a vibrant hub of innovation , opportunity and community prosperity . •
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE