community
Inside West Virginia’ s Fairs & Festivals Scene
Written by Kenzie Dye Photos by Jonathan Staddon, VizaFRAME Photography
As a preview of the 2026 West Virginia Fairs & Festivals Event Guide( F & F), this story spotlights some of the organizations shaping the Mountain State’ s vibrant fairs and festivals scene. While each fair or festival member highlights something different, community remains a common theme.
“ Our fairs and festivals are deeply rooted in their hometowns,” says Michael Wodnicki, president of the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals( WVAFF).“ They offer entertainment and family-friendly fun, but none of it happens without volunteers.”
F & F aligns closely with WVAFF’ s mission to promote and support these events statewide.
“ This partnership opens the door for more people to discover the fun, tradition and community that make our fairs and festivals unique,” Wodnicki says.“ At the end of the day, it’ s all about bringing people together.”
The State Fair of West Virginia has been a gathering place for fairgoers from all over the state and region for generations. Whether visitors attend for agriculture and livestock exhibits, concerts or food, the State Fair provides an atmosphere rooted in community, heritage and pride.
“ The fair is a shared experience,” says Kelly Collins, CEO of the State Fair of West Virginia.“ For many families, it’ s an annual tradition where generations come together to make memories year after year.”
According to a 2025 economic impact study, the fair generates $ 42.8 million statewide. Collins says this outcome aligns with the fair’ s mission to promote agriculture, education and community engagement while strengthening West Virginia’ s quality of life.
Collins says the event guide will help showcase fairs and festivals as a statewide destination.
“ Inclusion in the guide will extend the reach of some of our state’ s most treasured events and connect with audiences well beyond our traditional attendees,” she says.“ The guide will encourage participation from new visitors, exhibitors, sponsors and partners from every region of West Virginia.”
Each spring, the West Virginia Strawberry Festival fills the streets of Buckhannon with vibrant colors, community, music and celebration. Rooted in agricultural tradition and cultivated by generations of locals, the festival represents the town’ s history and evolving culture.
“ The festival serves as the heartbeat of Buckhannon,” says Shane Jenkins, president of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival.“ It brings generations of families together to celebrate our shared heritage and transforms our downtown.”
The festival creates a substantial economic ripple effect throughout Buckhannon and Upshur County. This impact supports the festival’ s mission to preserve the strawberry’ s agricultural history while investing in the area’ s long-term cultural and economic prosperity.
Jenkins says being featured in F & F will help expand this reach.
“ By increasing our visibility, we can attract new visitors and potential sponsors,” he says.“ In turn, this allows us to expand our programming and deepen our impact on the local economy and community traditions.” •
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