SPORTS & RECREATION / LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Festivals and Celebrations
Spring
George Washington’s Bathtub Celebration
Berkeley Springs, WV
304-258-9147
http://berkeleysprings.com/water/geowash2.html
The town’s most famous landowner is the focal point of this lively springtime festivity.
House and Garden Tour
Charles Town, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown
304-263-5529
www.viator.com/tours/Charleston/Historical-Charleston-Tour-with-Optional-Joseph-Manigault-House-Visit/d4384-5608CITY?pref=02&aid=ygemt6545
Many of the historic panhandle homes that are featured on this annual spring tour are not usually open to the public.
Uniquely West Virginia
Berkeley Springs, WV
304-258-9147
http://berkeleysprings.com/uniquely-west-virginia-wine-food-festival
April brings a shower of delicious flavors at the Wine and Food Festival with such local delicacies as Shiitake mushrooms, rainbow trout, gourmet chocolate, West Virginia wines, honey and maple products.
Summer
Art Studio Tour
Berkeley Springs, WV
304-249-8803
www.berkeleyspringsstudiotour.org
In August, you can take a leisurely, self-guided tour through more than a dozen studios and visit the gallery show at the Ice House.
Contemporary American Theater Festival
Shepherdstown, WV
304-876-3473
www.catf.org
Making summertime even more magical is a professional resident theater, presenting four new American plays in rotating repertory at Shepherd College.
Western Maryland Street Rod Roundup
Allegany County Fairgrounds
Cumberland, MD
301-722-2820
www.westernmarylandstreetrod.com/product1.html
Held over Labor Day weekend, this attraction presents over 1,000 pre-1949 street rods, making it one of the largest shows of its kind in the nation.
Autumn
Apple Butter Festival
Berkeley Springs, WV
304-258-3738
http://berkeleysprings.com/apple-butter-festival
The colorful month of October and an historic spa town make a picturesque setting for this blend of crafts, music and home cooking.
Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival
Charles Town, WV
304-725-2055
www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.org/festival
Held in the spring and again in the autumn, this delightful festival ranks as one of the top traditional craft fairs in the entire nation. Both shows feature over 200 juried booths.
Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival
Martinsburg, WV
304-263-2500
www.msahf.com
Also in October, Queen Pomona reigns over a dance, apple pie contest, arts and crafts, the Apple Trample Run.
Winter
Belle Boyde Christmas
Martinsburg, WV
304-267-4713
www.bchs.org
Tour this famous historic house with seasonal Victorian trimmings. For a special treat, enjoy refreshments at the holiday reception and open house.
Christmas in Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown, WV
304-876-2786
http://shepherdstown.info/events/christmas-in-shepherdstown
Strolling carolers in turn-of-the-century dress mix with street peddlers roasting chestnuts. Highlights include a town bonfire, carriage rides, tours, shopping and entertainment.
Old Tyme Christmas
Harpers Ferry, WV
304-725-8019
www.historicharpersferry.com/articles/old_tyme_christmas.php
You’ll have no trouble finding the yuletide spirit throughout the town and in the National Historical Park. Concerts, caroling, a yule log, ghost tours and a special children’s tent are all part of the fun.
