Vandalia Gathering
Charleston, May 24-26
Photo by Steve Brightwell/West Virginia
Department of Arts, Culture and History.
Metal in the Mountains
Pipestem, May 31-June 1
Photo by Hannah Lee Photography.
Metal heads will converge at Pipestem Resort State Park
this year for the third annual Metal in the Mountains, which
has sent this usually serene mountain scene into positive
metal mayhem for the past two years. This year’s event will
feature 20 national and regional metal bands plus a chance
to get some tattoo art on-site and watch professional
wrestlers throw down. If you like the sound of metal coming
at you loud and clear through state-of-the-art audiovisual
equipment, do not miss this madness. Learn more at
www.metalinthemountains.com.
The West Virginia State Capitol Complex comes alive
with the sounds of traditional Appalachian music every
Memorial Day weekend as the region’s finest pickers,
fiddlers and other musicians celebrate the state’s musical
history at the Vandalia Gathering. This year will mark the
43rd annual gathering, with last year’s festival drawing in
25,000 for music competitions, food, arts, crafts and
children’s heritage activities. The West Virginia Department
of Arts, Culture and History organizes this annual opportunity
for the public to enjoy free performances from popular
veteran musicians as well as exciting newcomers as they
compete for honors or break into impromptu jam sessions.
For more information, visit www.wvculture.org/vandalia/.
Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Fest
Parkersburg, June 21-23
Photo by Jennifer Randolph.
Mountain Music Festival
Oak Hill, May 30-June 2
Thousands of music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts kick
off their summers by heading to ACE Adventure Resort
in Oak Hill for Mountain Music Festival, which, for its sixth
year, is planning an eclectic lineup that includes classic
Americana, rock, jam bands and even some electronic
musical experiences. This event gives festival-goers a
chance to enjoy all variations of music while throwing in a
whole lot of outdoor fun at the resort, which features a water
park and 1,500 acres of adventures in the New River Gorge
area. Camping, rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing—
guests can do it all and enjoy great food, art and the festival’s
exciting mix of bands, all in one jam-packed weekend.
To learn more, visit http://mountainmusicfestwv.com.
In a commitment to celebrating diversity, the citizens of
Parkersburg founded the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural
Fest in 1996. The event, held in City Park, is a celebration
of music from different cultures, as well as foods, arts and
crafts. This is a place where guests can enjoy bluegrass,
bohemian, African and Native American music, as well as
Middle Eastern dancing, martial arts and a variety of other
acts celebrating places around the globe. Now gearing up
for its 24th year, the event offers a feast for the palate as
well as the eyes and ears, offering delights from a variety
of countries. For more information, visit http://movmcf.org.
www.wve xe c uti v e.com
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