West Virginia’s Vandalia Festival returns to weekend format

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A celebration of West Virginia’s mountain culture and ethnic heritage will return to its original, full-weekend format for the first time in three years.

The 45nd annual Vandalia Gathering is set for Friday through Sunday on the state Capitol grounds in Charleston.

The free event that includes traditional arts, music, dance and food was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and was limited last year.

The festival kicks off Friday evening with an awards ceremony for quilt and wall hangings, followed by the presentation of the Vandalia Award, the state’s highest folk-life honor, along with a concert. Another concert is set for Saturday evening.

Exhibitors will demonstrate their crafts and sell handmade items, including art, jewelry, pottery and candles.

Several competitions are on tap Saturday and Sunday, including banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, mandolin and guitar.

The festival wraps up Sunday with a Liars Contest in the Culture Center theater.