West Virginia is home to many unique festivals, including Talcott's John Henry Days and Hinton Railroard Days. Read on for more on these Summers County events.
West Virginia is known for its majestic mountains that rise from the New, Kanawha, and Monongahela Rivers. Visitors to the state enjoy hiking, trekking, and white water rafting, but there are other things for guests of the Mountain State to enjoy. Small, hometown festivals are common throughout the state and specifically in Summers County. Two such festivals are the John Henry Days in Talcott and the Hinton Railroad Days in Hinton. While each of these events is similar, they both have aspects about them that make them unique.
John Henry Days
Talcott, a small town in West Virginia, celebrates the John Henry Days Festival each year. According to legend, John Henry raced a steam hammer through the C&O rail line that runs through the small town of Talcott. Today, a John Henry statue stands looking down on the town that pays homage to him every year. This hometown tradition is full of fun events such as a grand parade, food vendors, craft and artisan vendors, and car shows.
As with any festival, the celebration could not be complete without music. The sounds of bluegrass and gospel fill the air at this event. In addition to the events, there are two rooms open specifically for exhibitions: The John Henry Memorabilia Room and the Talcott Area Memorabilia Room. There are also activities created specifically for children. The final event that takes place during John Henry Days is the Rubber Duck Race. Visitors to the event can purchase raffle tickets and the winners of the race receive raffle prizes.
Hinton Railroad Days
In addition to Talcott’s John Henry Days festival, Hinton, West Virginia has its own local traditions that provide enjoyment for both residents and visitors alike. Also known by the locals as “Train Days,” the Hinton Railroad Days festival take place typically two weekends in the latter part of October.
The Hinton Railroad Days festival welcomes each afternoon the arrival of the New River Train. This Amtrak train tours many beautiful areas of West Virginia including Charleston, New River Gorge, Sandstone Falls, and of course, Hinton. The train riders have three hours to enjoy the Hinton Railroad Days festival. The festival offers local vendors offering an assortment of food goods, live music, and magic shows. Perhaps the most intriguing pieces of the Hinton Railroad Days are the local artists and artisans that make everything from homemade quilts to hand carved birdhouses.
Conclusion
Regardless of what a West Virginia vacation looks like, visitors should consider incorporating fun West Virginia festivals into their trips. Summers County has options for thos travelling in summer and winter alike.
