Celebrate West Virginia Day, June 20, at a State Park

            West Virginia Day, June 20, brings a variety of special programs to West Virginia State Parks and Forests. To celebrate the Mountain State’s birthday, these programs are open to the public and free of charge.

• Three Rivers Avian Center presents birds of prey at Hawks Nest State Park at 3 p.m. in the lodge conference room. The presentation features live birds and, in particular, “Spirit,” a golden eagle, and other hawks and owls found in West Virginia.  “These birds are amazing and this program is a real opportunity to see and learn about raptors,” says Willa Grafton, Park Naturalist. “If you thought the owls in the Harry Potter movies were cool, wait until you see a barn owl up close.”  Hawks Nest State Park is located on U.S. Route 60 in Ansted. The park is open year-round and features a lodge, scenic overlook, and restaurant.
• Mick Souter brings songs and stories of West Virginia to the amphitheater stage at North Bend State Park at 7 p.m. Souter considers himself a modern day balladeer and entertains his audience with traditional folk songs and a good story or two.  The program is about one hour long.  The amphitheater is located near the North Bend River Run Campground, beside the Nature Center.  Park naturalist’s Jennifer Cogar and Dana Hall encourage everyone to make it a day at North Bend and enjoy an evening to “Celebrate West Virginia.”  North Bend is located in Ritchie County, approximately 25 minutes off U.S. Route 50 at the Ellenboro exit.  The park features a lodge, restaurant, vacation cabins, campgrounds, lake, and North Bend Rail Trail. For information call: (304) 643-2931.
• “He’s a liar” some claim.  But in West Virginia on West Virginia Day he is known as Bil Lepp and he is performing at Pipestem Resort amphitheater at 8 p.m. Lepp’s hour of mirth recounts trials and tales that put a smile on the most ill-humored of kin.  Bil Lepp is five time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest and has been a Featured Teller at the past seven National Storytelling Festivals and at The Smithsonian Folklife Festival. He is an author of three books of tales, four audio collections, and he has had stories published in several national magazines. Duke Divinity Magazine called Bil’s stories, "Awe inspiring cathedrals of flapdoddle and bull." Telling tales for more than fifteen years, Lepp tells original tall-tales written by himself and his brother. Bil is a regular at West Virginia State Parks and Forests special summer programs entertaining visitors to the state and her residents.  His stories may include: Punching the Lard, The Great Rope Swing Misadventure, The Divine Bovine, The Teacher in the Patriotic Bathing Suit, Mayhem Dressed as an Eight Point Buck, Buck Dog, or the Monster Stick. Then again maybe not.  It’s all fun regardless of the story. And attendance is free, and “that’s no lie,” according to state park programming administrator, Sissie Summers. For information about Pipestem Resort and other events at the amphitheater in 2008, call (304) 466-1800.
• Enjoy a summer outing on the Ohio River and a stroll on Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park near Parkersburg, on June 20. Birthday Cake will be served as long as it lasts for this 145th Birthday occasion beginning at 2 p.m. For additional information, call (304) 420-4800.
• Cass West Virginia is still home for many and the adopted home of many more who enjoy visiting the park’s showcase of authentic working Shay engines.  Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is the site of a homecoming reunion the weekend of June 20-22.  Cake walks, entertainment and train rides are part of the “Come Home” weekend.  For more information about “Cass Homecoming” call: (304) 456-4300.
• Other events on Friday, June 20, include Tom King at Tygart Lake State Park. King entertains with art of clowning, comedy, magic, balloon sculpturing and stilt walking Tom King is known as not only an entertainer but also as an "edutainer.” 
• Come and celebrate West Virginia Statehood June 20, with $1 fort admission fee and free birthday cake and lemonade at Prickett’s Fort State Park.  Tygart Lake and Prickett’s Fort state parks are located in Taylor and Marion counties respectively and nearby Valley Falls should be considered for a visit if attending these events.

            West Virginia Day weekend recognizes other special and unique programs.

• Cathedral State Park in Aurora features ‘Celebration of Summer’ with nature hikes in the forest and discovery of wildflower and bird species on the first days of summer.  Contact Mike Powell at Cathedral State Park, (304) 735-3771 for more information.
• Irish Road Bowling continues to gain in popularity throughout West Virginia and Blackwater Falls is the second park hosting this outdoor activity on June 21. “Irish Road Bowling is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have fun playing an old sport that’s gaining in popularity,” according to Rob Gilligan, Park Superintendent.  “If you’re looking for a wee bit of exercise and a heck of a lot of fun, we invite you Blackwater Falls this particular weekend.”  Irish Road Bowling makes use of a ball made out of iron and steel that is heavy enough to pick up speed, yet small enough for any person to handle. “Besides the basic rules and terms, all you do is hurl this 28 oz. “bowl” of steel underhanded down a designated road and see how far it goes!” says Gilligan. The game is scored like golf, with the fewest number of shots from the start to the finish line winning. For Blackwater Falls information: (304) 259-5216. For information about road bowling: www.wvirishroadbowling.com.
• Other activities on June 21 include: Jim ‘ n I at Twin Falls Resort in Wyoming County. Jim McDonald and Goldie Pratt entertain guests with bluegrass, country and old time gospel music played on the old mountain lap dulcimer, harmonica and autoharp.  There are organized activities at Tomlinson Run State Park, and West Virginia Days Celebration Civil War Reenactment at Canaan Valley Resort, June 20-22.

            Information about these special WV Day activities and programs are posted on www.wvstateparks.com under the tab Calendar of Events or 1-800 CALL WVA and ask for the specific park by name and ask about the programs and activities at the state parks or forest this summer.