You’ll have two chances this year to enjoy West Virginia’s annual Vandalia Gathering. The event is traditionally held on Memorial Day weekend and the same holds true this year. Events will be going on Friday and Saturday on the grounds of the state Capitol.
But a second gathering will take place during West Virginia’s Birthday celebration next month.
“West Virginia doesn’t celebrate a big birthday every year so we thought this was a great opportunity to share Vandalia,” says Caryn Gresham, the deputy commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
The gathering will remain three-days but will be split between the traditional Memorial Day event, Friday and Saturday of this weekend and the state’s 150th birthday on Thursday, June 20th.
This weekend will be all about the music, the competitions and concerts. The Gathering in June will feature traditional Vandalia events.
“Our hope is that we will have music, dance, the liars contest, all those things at the birthday party,” says Gresham. “People who may not have come to Vandalia will say, ‘Wow! I’ll put this on my calendar for next year.'”
Charleston’s FestivALL is part of the birthday celebration as well. That event typically attracts other forms of music. Gresham says putting Vandalia and FestivALL together is a perfect fit.
“What’s going to happen is that people are going to come to the birthday party are going to see the great traditions of Vandalia and some of the contemporary music that FestivALL brings. It’s going to give people, I think, a wonderful overview of West Virginia.”
Both Vandalia Gatherings are free and open to the public.
The 2014 Vandalia Gathering will go back its traditional 3-day Memorial Day weekend celebration.