Hot apple cider. Pumpkin patches. Homemade noodles. Live music. Corn mazes. Hayrides.

I don’t know about you, but I am a “Fall Girl” through and through. And what better way to celebrate that fall feeling than attending as many local festivals as possible?

In this listicle+, I’ll showcase 24 fall-happy festivals. Most festivals featured will be within 70 miles of Wheeling, WV, but there are a few included in the list that require more of that “day-trip” mantra than others—but totally worth the trip!

Without further introduction, let’s start fueling that fall craze!

Jefferson Fridays (1 of 3)

• Date: August 13^th, 2021
• Location: Jefferson Avenue in Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 11 miles

Hosted by the Moundsville Arts and Culture Commission, this “block party” concert series will feature live music by Zane Run, two beer tents, four food trucks, and local shopping. Best part? It’s a totally free, family-friendly event!

Website: Jefferson Fridays on Jefferson Avenue | Visit Moundsville

WV State Honey Festival

• Dates: August 14^th – 15^th, 2021
• Location: Parkersburg City Park, Parkersburg, WV
• Distance: 106 miles

This festival is both educational and fun! Attendees will be able to hear information about honeybees, how they live, and how they produce. The festival will also feature food, live entertainment, crafters, and commercial vendors—all “just down the river”!

Website: West Virginia State Honey Festival – Greater Parkersburg CVB

Shaker Woods Festival

• Dates: August 14^th-15^th (and again August 21^st-22^nd and August 28^th-29^th), 2021
• Location: Columbiana, Ohio
• Distance: 68 miles

This festival features live entertainment, over 200 crafters, period clothing, and country cooking. Vendors included in the festival sell anything from handmade jewelry to pottery to soaps. Though a little further away than most festivals, this one is worth the drive!

Website: Crafters & Artisans | Shaker Woods Village

CELEBRATE DIVERSITY: Ohio Valley Pride Festival

• Dates: August 27^th – 28^th, 2021
• Location: Wheeling, WV

This Pride event will feature vendors, drag shows, a march, food trucks and booths, and pride merchandise. Celebrate equality by attending this event!

Website: Home (ohiovalleypride.org)

“The Howl of the Wolf”, Central WV Pagan Pride 2021 (DAY TRIP)

• Date: August 28^th, 2021
• Location: Burnsville, WV
• Distance: 150 miles

Now here’s something unique! Hosted by the Rowan Temple of Light, “The Howl of the Wolf” pagan festival will feature an opening ritual, meditation, spiral dancing, tarot readings, a Christiopagan mass, hand drumming, and other entertainment. If you’re looking for something new and different, this may be the event for you.

Website: Facebook only, Central WV Pagan Pride 2021 “The Howl of the Wolf” (facebook.com)

Fort Henry Days

• Dates: September 4^th-5^th, 2021
• Location: Oglebay Park (Wheeling, WV)
• Distance: 5.5 miles

Fort Henry Days at Oglebay is a “tribute to Wheeling’s frontier era”. This event features live battle reenactments and “period correct” demonstrations. Though it may not exactly fit that “fall festival” mold of pumpkin spice and cider, it’s bound to be an entertaining experience for everyone.

Website: Fort Henry Days | Where history comes to life.

Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta

• Dates: September 4^th – 5^th, 2021 (update: event canceled)
• Location: Wheeling, WV

If you’re still itching for some historical information (after attending, say, Fort Henry Days), swing over to the Regatta to learn about hydroplanes, race boats, aerodynamics, and engineering. Then, stay and watch the races! This open-air event on the river is sure to entertain.

Website: Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta | Events | VisitWheelingWV.com (wheelingcvb.com)

UMAC’s 10^th Annual Fall Festival on Jefferson Avenue

• Date: September 11^th, 2021 (Update: Event Canceled)
• Location: Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 11 miles

This event features local commercial and craft vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. Stroll “the Avenue” and check out local businesses and restaurants. The vendors here really do have “something for everyone”.

Website: UMAC’s 10th Annual Fall Festival on Jefferson Avenue | Visit Moundsville

Flatwoods Monster Festival (DAY TRIP)

• Date: September 11^th, 2021
• Location: Flatwoods, WV
• Distance: 163 miles

Perhaps you’re not only a “fall person” but also a “Halloween Buff”. If so, this day trip may be for you. Travel to Flatwoods, WV for their Flatwoods Monster Fest, where you can tour the “landing sight” of the monster itself, take a ride on the “Screamer Slide”, compete in a cornhole competition, or visit the gaming trailer. If that’s not enough, the event also features vendors, games, raffles, a parade, a carnival, bounce houses, live music, and food. Sounds like a day trip to me!

Website: Facebook only, Flatwoods Monster Fest – Home | Facebook

WV Oil and Gas Festival

• Dates: September 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th, 2021
• Location: Sistersville City Park/Downtown, Sistersville, WV
• Distance: 46 miles

This festival features live entertainment, crafts, food booths, and an art show. In addition, attendees can see gas engines on display, explore oil and gas exhibits, and learn about the oil and gas industry. This festival would be both fun and educational for all who attend.

Website: Facebook only, West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival, Sistersville – Home | Facebook

Jefferson Fridays (2 of 3)

• Date: September 17^th, 2021
• Location: Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 11 miles

Jefferson Fridays (2 of 3) Hosted by the Moundsville Arts and Culture Commission, this “block party” concert series will feature live music by Eli Lambie & The Mojo Kings (I saw them live recently—totally worth it!), two beer tents, four food trucks, and local shopping. Best part? It’s a totally free, family-friendly event!

Website: Jefferson Fridays on Jefferson Avenue | Visit Moundsville

Festival of Colors (SOMETHING DIFFERENT)

• Date: September 18^th, 2021 (Update: Event Canceled)
• Location: Just outside of Moundsville, WV – Palace of Gold
• Distance: 15 miles

This exciting event takes place just outside of Moundsville, WV at Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold. The event will feature live music, group “color throwing”, dance performances, vegetarian foods, and shopping. This event is exciting for families and is a relaxing celebration of all things peaceful.

Website: Festival of Colors | Festival of Colors

Mothman Festival (DAY TRIP)

• Dates: September 18^th – September 19^th, 2021
• Location: Point Pleasant, WV
• Distance: 164 miles

The Mothman Festival is a celebration of West Virginia’s legendary Mothman Monster. Featuring guest speakers that will talk of Bigfoot, legendary monsters, and all things paranormal, this festival is worth the drive. Tour the TNT area, get a selfie with the Mothman statue, or visit the Mothman Museum (which is an excellent “historical” tour of all the different sightings—including the story of the Silver Bridge collapse of 1967). And, if that’s not enough, the event also features a 5k, games for the family, face painting, and hayrides. This festival is one of my favorites—and I think it’s totally worth the drive!

Website: MOTHMAN FESTIVAl® – HOME

Barnesville Pumpkin Festival

• Dates: September 23^rd – 26^th, 2021
• Location: Barnesville, OH
• Distance: 30 miles

Featuring a “King Pumpkin” display, a “bake-off”, pageants, food and craft vendors, games, and of course pumpkins, this festival is a classic in the Ohio Valley. Go for the parade, compete in the 5k, or stroll through the classic vehicles at the car show. This festival has something for everyone!

Website: Barnesville, Ohio 57th Annual Pumpkin Festival (barnesvillepumpkinfestival.com)

Hearsemania & Moundsville Fall Bizarre

• Date: September 25^th, 2021
• Location: Moundsville Penitentiary, Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 11 miles

This festival features all things “creepy, paranormal, and cryptoid”. The event will feature prison tours, hearse tours, and oddity vendors. A perfect event for the fall folks that love Halloween!

Website: Hearsemania & Moundsville Fall Bizarre at the WV Penitentiary | Visit Moundsville

Moundstock

• Date: September 25^th, 2021
• Location: East End Park, Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 11 miles

Take the family out for a night of live music on the Colt Field at Moundsville’s East End Park. While you’re there, visit the playground, enjoy the Story Walk, get in a round of street hockey, or make a day of it and swim at Four Seasons Pool just before. It’s Moundsville’s first outdoor concert at East End!

Fall Festival at Grand Vue Park

• Date: September 25^th, 2021
• Location: Grand Vue Park, Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 12 miles

Happening in the park, this festival features food, craft vendors, live music, and inflatables. And, after you check out the festival, why not hike some of Grand Vue’s trails, get in a round of mini golf, or extend your stay in one of the cabins. This festival is bound to a nice little escape, free from the busyness of every day.

Website: Fall Festival at Grand Vue Park | Visit Moundsville

Oglebayfest

• Dates: October 1^st – 3^rd, 2021
• Location: Oglebay Park, Wheeling, WV
• Distance: 5.5 miles

Perhaps one of my personal favorite “really” local festivals, Oglebayfest is quite the fall festival! This event features live regional music, displays from the Ohio County Country Fair, a parade, fireworks, art and craft vendors, a gourmet market, and wine tasting. An exciting festival that can keep you busy for most of the day, Oglebayfest is one to attend!

Website: Exhibit at Oglebayfest – The Largest Arts Festival in the Greater Wheeling Area (oionline.com)

Wellsburg Apple Festival

• Date: October 1^st – 3^rd, 2021
• Location: Wellsburg, WV
• Distance: 17 miles

This festival is PACKED with fall fun. Featuring information about the history of the apple industry in Brooke County, local lore, and other entertainment, this event is one to check out! The event will also include cooking contests, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, and food!

Website: Facebook only, www.facebook.com/wellsburgapplefest

Atwood Area Fall Festival

• Date: October 1^st – 3^rd, 2021
• Location: Mineral City, OH
• Distance: 68 miles

The Atwood Area Fall Festival will feature food booths, live music, and homemade craft exhibits. Guests can also camp on grounds for the festival and can participate in different hands-on activities. This even is worth the slightly longer drive.

Website: https://www.atwoodfallfest.org

WSS Wild Game Cook Off (OVERNIGHTER)

• Date: October 2^nd, 2021
• Location: White Sulphur Springs, WV
• Distance: 262 miles

This event is just as it sounds: participants in the contest must prepare a dish that they have “hunted, fished, grew, or gathered in the West Virginia mountains”. The event is a celebration of Appalachian culture and will also feature live music and local brews.

Website: Facebook only, https://facebook.com/WSSWildGameCookoff

Jefferson Fridays (3 of 3)

• Date: October 8^th, 2021
• Location: Moundsville, WV
• Distance: 11 miles

Hosted by the Moundsville Arts and Culture Commission, this “block party” concert series will feature live music by Jukebox, two beer tents, four food trucks, and local shopping. Best part? It’s a totally free, family-friendly event!

Website: Jefferson Fridays on Jefferson Avenue | Visit Moundsville

Algonquin Mill Festival

• Dates: October 8^th – 10^th, 2021
• Location: Carrollton, OH
• Distance: 54 miles

This festival is PACKED with fall fun! Featuring high-quality crafters like woodcarvers and blacksmiths, a pioneer village, and multiple children’s activities, this one is fun for the whole family. Enjoy live music, a steam flour mill, windmills, a steam sawmill, pony rides, train rides, and more—then go help yourself to some old fashion cornbread and beans! Take the drive. Go to this festival. Enjoy.

Website: Algonquin Mill Fall Festival (carrollcountyhistoricalsociety.com)

WV Black Walnut Festival (DAY TRIP)

• Dates: October 14^th – 17^th, 2021
• Location: Spencer, WV
• Distance: 148 miles

Closing out our “Fall Festival Listicle” is the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival in Spencer, WV. Though more of a “day trip” than a “quick getaway”, this may be the festival for you. Featuring a parade, pageants, baking contests, band competitions, and many other live activities, this festival is jam-packed with fall celebration. Not enough? There’s also a carnival, a flea market, livestock shows, and something called a “Nut Run”. Make the drive. Visit Spencer, WV.

Website: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival (wvblackwalnutfestival.org)

ABOUT W.B.

W.B. (Whitney) Healy is a full-time high school English teacher and part-time freelance writer in Moundsville, West Virginia. Her favorite stories to write include a celebration of all things local, with content like exploring small businesses, interviews with local artists, showcases of live theatre, and reviews of local restaurants.

Whitney enjoys reading, writing, the outdoors, baking, art museums, black cats, and live music. In the past, Whitney directed the spoken word group “The Prosers” at Towngate Theatre in Wheeling, WV.

She is currently writing an epic fantasy novel based on Norse Mythology and is hoping to finish this work by 2022 (and maybe even publish it!).

Instagram: @wbhealy.writer