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Courtesy of West Virginia State Folk Festival
West Virginia has always had a strong hold on its culture - a culture shaped by the intensity of mountain life, and nurtured by
strong family ties and an enduring love of the land. Truly Appalachian from border to border, this love is plainly shown in its
music, storytelling, dance, ballads and handmade crafts that tell how life used to be, and how it is still found in community
centers, churches and homes today.
The West Virginia State Folk Festival celebrates these traditions each year in Glenville (pop. 2000), in the heart of central
West Virginia. Special guests include "Belles" in Pioneer costume representing the values and culture of each county. The
festival opens in the Country Store Museum on The third Thursday of June and ends with a Sunday service in an
old historic church. For many it is a reunion and you are invited to share in the music, crafts, food and fun.
You can walk through Glenville and hear a beautiful waltz or an exciting dance tune played by fiddles, banjos, guitars
and dulcimers. You can join in the playing or singing or square dance to a local old-time band each night on an outdoor
platform built in the street.
On the streets you will see old-time musicians just playing the music they love. This has never been a festival of "stars," but
musicians do come from all over the world to play, purely for the joy of the music. The volunteer staff continues each year to
dedicate these days to celebrating our unique heritage. We hope that you will join in and sing a song with us, give the square
dance a try, or go home determined to learn to play the fiddle. Most of all, we hope you will feel welcome in Glenville.
For a daily schedule of events and more information visit West Virginia
State Folk Festival | 
