FESTIVALS AND EVENTS: Entertainment opportunities abound

Here's a look at the many annual fairs, festivals and events that occur in the Tri-State each summer. For up-to-date listing on performances and events, times and dates, check Entertainment Tri-State available every Thursday in The Herald-Dispatch. Or, visit us online at www.herald-dispatch.com.  

JUNE

Tu-Endie-Wie Interpretive Walk and Talk, 1 p.m. June 27, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Interpretive walks begin at the Main Entrance to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. Attendees will receive a commemorative certificate marking the occasion. Free. Visit www.masoncountytourism.org for more.
 
Old Central City Days, June 19-21 at 14th St. West in Huntington. The festival features flea markets, specialty shop sales, antiques, entertainment and historic tours. Don’t miss the Wild West shoot out! Visit www.oldcentralcity.com.
 
FestivALL, June 19-28, downtown Charleston, W.Va. This 10-day celebration of the arts includes theater, film, dance, music and food. Headliners include Booker T & The MG’s with special guest Eddie Floyd. Special events include Blues, Brews and BBQ; Wine & All That Jazz Festival; Smoke on the Water-Charleston Chili Cookoff; The Capitol Street Art Fair; The One-Act Play Festival; Gala Dance Peformance; excursions on the River Queen riverboat; Kanawha County Library Street Fair; the West Side Wiener Dog Races & Cruise In; the West Side Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social; FestivALL Comes To South Hills; The South Atlantic League All-Star Baseball Game; a massive balloon sculpture in the Charleston Town Center; a skateboard contest; a new all-ages soccer tournament and the opening of the new State Museum at The Cultural Center. For more information, visit www.festivallcharleston.com.
 
11th Annual Lawrence County "Iron Masters" Antique Engines, Tractors, and Farm Equipment Show, June 19-20, at the Ironton Hills Plaza, Ironton, Ohio 93 Exit. Bring your antique vehicles and enjoy the cmpany of many other collectors. Trophies will be given by weight classes. Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull at 10 a.m. Saturday, and a parade begins after noon downtown. Sponsored by Temco Tractor parts. Free admission. For information, e-mail Don Mootz at dwmootz@gmail.com.
 
Virginia Point Days, late June at Virginia Point Park in Kenova, sponsored by the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. Call Kenova City Hall at 304-453-3121.
 
St. Albans Riverfest, June 25-28, St. Albans Roadside Park, Route 60, St. Albans, W.Va. Features free entertainment, river activities and fireworks. Call 304-767-6007 or visit www.stalbansriverfest.com.
 
Lake Vesuvius Kids Fishing Derby, June 27, at Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest, Pedro, Ohio; call 740-534-6500 for more.
 
 

JULY

 
Summer Motion, July 1-5, at Ashland's Central Park. Free festival with nationally known entertainment, arts and crafts, fireworks and children's activities. Call the Ashland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 606-329-1007 or visit www.summermotion.com.
 
Happy Birthday America, July 4, Hurricane, W.Va. Parade at 4:30 p.m. on Main Street, free activities at Valley Park from 5:30-9:30 p.m., with fireworks at dusk. Call 304-562-5896.
 
West Virginia Freedom Festival, July 2-4, downtown Logan, W.Va. Includes pageant, parade, car show, block party, live entertainment, food, and fireworks on the 4th. Visit www.wvfreedomfestival.com.
 
Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta, July 2-4, Point Pleasant, W.Va. This alcohol-free event includes free entertainment, a Kids’ Day with free games and activities; free admission and free parking. Featuring sternwheel rides and concerts by Whitney Duncan and Adam D. Tucker. Visit www.pointpleasantregatta.org.
 
Fort Randolph Liberty! July 5, Krodel Park, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Historical re-enactors will conduct demonstrations, seminars and tours of Fort Randolph at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant. Call Craig Hesson at 304-675-7933 or e-mail chesson@charter.net.
 
July Fourth Celebration, July 4, Greenbo Lake State Park, Kentucky. 7:30 p.m. concert featuring The Kentucky Blue Collar Band. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Admission is $5, $2 children 6-12, and free for 5 and younger. Visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/go/events/ for more.
 
Coal Grove's Family Fun Days, July 1-3 at Paul Porter Park in Coal Grove, Ohio. Activities include music, arts, crafts, food and games. Call Village of Coal Grove at 740-532-0102.
 
Lawrence County Fair, July 11-18 at Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Proctorville. Join the festivities with sale of livestock, musical entertainment, rides, crafts, bull riding, demolition derby, entertainment, wrestling, and food vendors. Call 740-643-2900.
 
Putnam County Fair, July 11-18 at Eleanor, W.Va. Arts and crafts, agricultural livestock exhibits, beauty pageant, all-week carnival and more. Call the Putnam County Fair at 304-755-4900 or go online at www.putnamcountyfair-wv.org.
 
Tu-Endie-Wie Interpretive Walk and Talk, 1 p.m. July 11 and July 25, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Interpretive walks begin at the Main Entrance to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. Attendees will receive a commemorative certificate marking the occasion. Free. Visit www.masoncountytourism.org for more.
 
Cabell County Fair, July 18-25 at Pumpkin Park in Milton, W.Va. Carnival rides, 4-H livestock and live entertainment. Horse Show on July 18; Grand Parade on July 19; Fairgrounds open July 20. Hours are 4-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday. Call 304-743-4273 or visit www.cabellcountyfair.org.
 
Riverboat Cruise, 7 p.m., July 20, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Board the Belle of Cincinnati for a trip down the Ohio River. Enjoy food and entertainment, or dancing in the ball room, or just sit on the top deck and watch the stars. Visit www.pprivermuseum.com for more information.
 
Pioneer Life Week, July 20-26, Carter Caves State Park, Kentucky. Re-enactors take you back in time to the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and settlement of the Ohio River area. Visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/cc/events/ for more.
 
Cincinnati Belle Riverboat Cruise, 7-10 p.m. July 24, departing from the Ironton Boat Ramp on the Ohio River. Enjoy the scenic Ohio River on this cruise on the beautiful Cincinnati Belle! The event includes dinner and entertainment. $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight; other sponsorship levels also available. Call Joan Terry at 740-532-3534.
 
Huntington Symphony Orchestra Picnic with The Pops presents “Sentimental Journeys” July 25, Harris Riverfront Park amphitheater. Visit www.huntingtonsymphony.org.
 
West Virginia Hot Dog Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 25 at Pullman Plaza. Sponsored by Clear Channel Communications. Free admission. Features many Tri-State hot dog vendors, antique and modern car show, pet parade, weiner dog races, rides, live entertainment and more. Call 304-525-7788 or visit www.wvhotdogfestival.com.
 
Charleston Ribfest, July 30-Aug. 2, Charleston, W.Va. World-class BBQ ribs, live entertainment, family attractions, carnival, arts and crafts, fireworks and more. Visit www.charlestonwvribfest.com.
 
 

AUGUST

 
Longhunters and Landgrabbers, Aug. 1, Fort Randolph at Krodel Park, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Features demonstrations, seminars, tours of the fort, re-enacting, crafts, gifts and food for sale. Call 304-675-7993 or visit www.masoncountytourism.org.
 
Genuine Junk Band 10th Anniversary Concert, 8 p.m. Aug. 1, Greenbo Lake State Park, Kentucky. Ashland, Ky.’s Genuine Junk Band performs a free concert in celebration of its 10th anniversary. Visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/go/events/ for more.
 
Pike County Fair, Aug. 2-Aug. 8 at Piketon, Ohio. Livestock, games, rides, food, live entertainment and more. Call 740-226-8683 or visit http://pikecofair.com/
 
Gallia County Fair, Aug. 3-8 at Gallipolis, Ohio. Livestock, games, rides, food, live entertainment and more. Call 740-446-4120.
 
Multi-Fest Celebration, Aug. 7-9 on the grounds of the State Capitol Complex, Charleston, W.Va. Free. One of the largest educational events in the area with soul food, Asian cuisine and Hispanic food. Performers will play blues, gospel, jazz, hip-hop, reggae and rhythm and blues. Call 304-347-7663 or visit www.multifestwv.com.
 
Canoe Caper, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 8, Symmes Creek’s Chesapeake Boat Ramp. Help clean up the river while also enjoying food, music and fellowship. Prizes will be given, including a Mad River Canoe. Funds raised will help establish the Arthur S. Ferguson Jr. Canoe Trail and raise awareness about the value of Symmes Creek. Call Grayson Thornton at 740-643-0522.
 
Tu-Endie-Wie Interpretive Walk and Talk, 1 p.m. Aug. 8 and Aug. 27, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Interpretive walks begin at the Main Entrance to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. Attendees will receive a commemorative certificate marking the occasion. Free. Visit www.masoncountytourism.org for more.
 
Aug. 9: Kanawha State Forest Black Bear 40K Mountain Bike Race, Aug. 9, Charleston. Open to all levels of mountain bikers, but terrain is challenging. Meet at shelters 8 and 9. Call 304-533-6269 or visit www.kanawhastateforest.com.
 
Wayne County Fair, late July/early August at the Huntington Police and Recreation Farm. Features rides, concessions, petting zoo, gospel and country music and more. Visit http://waynecountyfair-wv.com.
 
Scioto County (Ohio) Fair, Aug. 10-15 at the fairgrounds in Lucasville. Features national act entertainment nightly. Call 740-353-3698 or visit www.sciotocountyfair.com.
 
Carter County Fair, Aug. 9-15 at Grayson, Ky. Features carnival, agriculture exhibits, livestock shows, youth exhibits and contests, entertainment, crafts and more. Call 606-474-4401 or 606-474-5133, or visit www.cartercountyfair.org.
 
Mason County Fair, August 10-15 at Mason County Fairgrounds, six miles north of Point Pleasant, W.Va., on WV 62. Tractor pulls, demolition derby, motocross races, gospel and county music shows, Nashville entertainers, horse show, livestock sales, carnival rides and food. Call 304-675-5463 or visit www.masoncountyfairwv.org.
 
Colonel Bill Williams Greenup Heritage Music Festival, Aug. 14-15, Greenbo Lake State Park, Kentucky. This weekend of blues, bluegrass and heritage music will be held at the Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre. Visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/go/events/ for more.
 
Summer Sounds, early to mid-August at the Huntington Museum of Art, 2033 McCoy Road, Huntington. Features live music, dinner, silent auction and more. Call 304-529-2701 or visit www.hmoa.org.
 
Meigs County Fair, Aug. 17-22 at Pomeroy, Ohio. Features entertainment nightly. Call 740-985-4372 or visit http://themeigscountyfair.com/.
 
Rally on the River, Aug. 13-16, Ironton, Ohio. This motorcycle festival features free live music, vendors, bike show, food, beer gardens, a parade of heroes, car show, $1,000 poker runs and more. Admission is free, but there is a cost for the poker run and some other events. Visit www.rallyontheriver.com.
 
Huntington Rib & Music Fest, August 13-16 at Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington. Four-day long festival features national recording artists, local and regional entertainment, carnival games and a rib competition with cash and prizes. Call Big Sandy Superstore Arena at 304-696-5970 or visit www.bigsandyarena.com.
 
Radio Control Fly-In, Aug. 15-16 at Bob Evans Farm, Rio Grande, Ohio. Sponsored by the RC Aces of Jackson, Ohio, and the RC Mountaineers of Charleston. Call Bob Evans Farms at 800-994-FARM or visit www.bobevans.com.
 
Boyd County Fair, Aug. 18-22 at the fairgrounds in Cannonsburg, Ky. Features carnival, agricultural exhibits, home interior/crafts, livestock shows, youth exhibits and contests, youth market livestock auction, baby contests, demolition derby and more. Call 606-928-7190 or 606-928-4134 or visit www.boydcountyfair.com.
 
Sixth Annual Point Pleasant Rodders Car Show, Aug. 22, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Antique to new cars on display. Free admission. For more information, visit www.rodderscarclub.org.
 
Huntington Symphony Orchestra Picnic with The Pops presents “Rockin’ Down the Highway: NASCAR at the Finish Line” Aug. 22, Harris Riverfront Park amphitheater. Visit www.huntingtonsymphony.org.
 
Tri-State Multi-Cultural Festival, Aug. 25 at Ritter Park. The free event features displays, vendors, food and entertainment from a variety of countries. Visit www.tristatefestival.org.
 
Greenup County (Ky.) Fair, Aug. 28-Sept. 1 at Greenup County Fairgrounds. Features carnival, agricultural exhibits, home interior/crafts, livestock shows, youth exhibits and contests, youth market livestock auction, baby contests, demolition derby, tractor pull, bluegrass night and more. Call (606) 324-5111.
 
 

SEPTEMBER

 
Tribute to the River, Sept. 4-5, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Events take place at Point Pleasant Riverfront Park and Point Pleasant River Museum. Food, games and competition, sternwheel boat parade, races and tours, entertainment, dancing, River Museum tours, 2,400-gallon Ohio River Fish Aquarium and more. Admission to River Museum is $4 adults, $1 children. Visit www.pprivermuseum.com for more.
 
Annual Portsmouth River Days Festival, Sept. 4-7, Court Street Landing, Portsmouth, Ohio. Family oriented festival includes rides, arts, crafts, entertainment, grand parade, queens pageant, food and more. Visit www.riverdays.org.
 
Second Annual Fall Gospel Jubilee, Sept. 6-7, West Virginia State Farm Museu, Point Pleasant, W.Va. Two days of gospel music wiht free admission. Call 304-675-5737.
 
Catlettsburg Labor Day Celebration, Sept. 7 in downtown Catlettsburg, Ky. Call the Boyd County Courthouse at 606-739-5184 or Mark Plummer at 606-739-5126.
 
Cornfield Maize in Milton, opens early September. Take Interstate 64 to Milton Exit, Route 60 W to Milton Middle School. Parking is behind school. Closed Mondays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by reservations only. Open Fridays, 5-10 p.m., Saturdays noon-10 p.m., Sundays 1-5 p.m. Call 304-743-0548, e-mail Kimybeee@suddenlink.net, or visit www.cornfieldmaze.com/sites.php?ID=&username=wvmilton.
 
WV State Farm Museum Antique Tractor Pull, 6 p.m. Sept. 5. Museum is located four miles north of Point Pleasant, W.Va., near WV 62 on Fairgrounds Road. Free parking and free admission. Call 304-675-5737 or visit www.wvfarmmuseum.org.
 
Militia Muster, Sept. 5, Fort Randolph at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant, W.Va. Features demonstrations, seminars, tours of the fort, re-enacting, crafts, gifts and food for sale. Call 304-675-7933.
 
Swinefest 2009: "The Call for Community Unity,” Sept. 9-12, downtown Guyandotte, W.Va. The festival kicks off with a parade at 6 p.m. Thursday, featuring Marine Color Guards, Civil War groups, army vehicles, fire trucks and more. Live music on Friday and Saturday, clowns, vendors of arts and crafts, foods and more. Fresh pulled pork served Friday evening and Saturday at noon. For a more detailed list of events, visit www.swinefest2008.com.
 
Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin', Sept. 9-13, Carter Caves State Park, Kentucky. Festival pays tribute to traditional instruments like the dulcimer, fiddle and guitar that are used to tell stories of life long ago in Eastern Kentucky. Concerts and Jam Sessions Ranging from $4 to $10, or get a festival pass for $25. Visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/cc/events/ for more.
 
Kanawha County Fair, Sept. 10-13, Camp Virgil Tate, 15 minutes from downtown Charleston. Includes rides, food, horse shows, musical entertainment and more. Visit www.kanawhacountyfair.org.
 
Margaret Dennison Fall Nature Walk, 9 a.m. Sept. 12, Kanawha State Forest. Guided wildflower walks on various trails throughout Kanawha State Forest. Registration at 9 a.m., followed by about three hours of activities. Adults, $5; children under 16, $2. Visit www.kanawhastateforest.com.
 
Cabela’s King Kat Tournament, Sept. 12, Riverfront Park, Point Pleasant, W.Va. There is a registration fee for tournament participation. Call 304-675-6788 or visit www.masoncountytourism.org.
 
Mound Festival Arts and Crafts Show, Sept. 8 near the Indian Mound on MacCorkle Avenue in South Charleston. Juried arts show open to only West Virginia resident crafters. Sponsored by the Commission for Visual Arts. Call the Traveling Quilter at (304) 744-7564.
 
Jesse Stuart Weekend, Sept. 18-19, Greenbo Lake State Park, Kentucky. This is a weekend dedicated to Kentucky writer and poet laureate Jesse Stuart. Visit the Jesse Stuart home place and the Jesse Stuart Foundation. There will be free lectures, music, videos, book evaluations, and signings. Visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/go/events/.
 
Poage Landing Days, Sept. 18-20 in downtown Ashland. Features arts, crafts, car show, bicycle race, motorcycle show and live music. Featuring the Ed Haley Fiddle Festival. Call the Ashland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 606-329-1007 or 800-377-6249 or go online at www.visitashlandky.com.
 
Historical Cemetery Walk/Ghost Tour, 5 p.m. Sept. 19, Woodland Cemetery, Lorraine Street, Ironton, Ohio. Join this candlelight tour of the history of Ironton — and watch out for restless spirits along the way! Call the Lawrence County Museum at 740-532-1222.
 
Sorghum Festival, Sept. 19 next to the new South Point High School, South Point, Ohio. Enjoy sorghum making, beans and cornbread, applebutter making, bluegrass music, wagon rides for kids. Free admission. Call Ivan Smith, 740-894-4294.
 
Mothman Festival, Sept. 19-20 in Point Pleasant, W.Va. This is a celebration of the legend of Mothman. People in Mason County reported seeing a large, mothlike creature with glowing eyes shortly before the devastating, deadly collapse of the Silver Bridge. Features include Mothman Hayride tours to the TNT area, where the first sighting was reported. There will also be presentations by authors and paranormal experts, exhibits, displays, merchandise and guided tours. Call Mothman Lives at 740-286-4772 or go online at www.mothmanlives.com.
 
Chilifest, mid-September in downtown Huntington. Annual West Virginia State Chili Championship is sanctioned by the International Chili Society, and the winner of Chilifest represents West Virginia in at the ICS's World's Chili Championship. Chilifest raises money for the Tri-State Ronald McDonald House. Cooks who want to compete can register by logging on to www.chiliwilli.com or stopping by Chili Willi's, 840 4th Ave., and picking up an application. Call Chili Willi's at 304-529-4857.
 
Fall Fest, mid-September in Barboursville. Features a parade, arts, crafts, carnival, vintage cars, wrestling, music and a beauty contest. Free admission. Call the Village of Barboursville at 304-736-8994 or visit http://barboursville.org/.
 
X-Fest, mid-September at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington. Hard rock station WMAX 106.3 FM celebrates with a full day of regional and national hard-core and heavy metal bands. Headliner is Staind. Call 304-696-5990 or go online at www.x1063.com.
 
Vesuvius Furnace Festival, Sept. 25-26, Wayne National Forest, Ohio 93, Pedro, Ohio. Celebrate the history of the Iron Furnace with Civil War re-enactments, outdoor theater, nationally proclaimed brass band and live, local music. Free admission. Call the Ironton Ranger Station at 740-534-6500.
 
27th Annual Greek Festival, Sept. 25-27, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 701 11th Ave., Huntington. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Three days celebrating the rich heritage and tradition of the Orthodox Christian faith and Greek culture. Featuring Greek food and pastries, live Greek band, Greek dance performances, church tours, inflatables for kids and more. Admission and parking are free. Learn more at www.stgeorgehwv.org/festival.