West Virginia State Folk Festival
The West Virginia State Folk Festival was initiated in 1950 by Dr. Patrick Gainer on the Glenville State College campus as an outgrowth of a summer class in folklore, taught by Dr. Patrick Gainer. From an afternoon exhibit and evening program, it grew - and grew.
The whole town of Glenville, WV, is involved in this weekend, presenting West Virginia traditions, from crafts, to story-telling, to great traditional music. Lovers of Appalachian culture come from all over (even from the UK!) to listen and participate in the great traditions of music of this area.
There are old-time fiddle & banjo contests, great square dances each night, workshops in old time ballad singing, story telling, and shape note singing. The unacompanied gospel sing on Saturday is one of the highlights of the festival! Evening concerts feature West Virginia's finest musicians and storytellers. Jams in the Conrad Motel parking lot happen into the wee hours.
Cheap lodging in the dorms at Glenville State College--right in the middle of the festival.
(The Festival is in "Downtown" Glenville--don't let the map fool you!)
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