| By and large, West Virginians observe the same holidays as other Americans and celebrate them in similar fashion. These include Independence Day, usually celebrated with fireworks and picnics, and the other patriotic holidays; the common religious and folk holidays; as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. In an overwhelmingly Christian state, Christmas and Easter are the main religious holidays. Christmas, observed in a secular or religious manner, depending on family inclination, was once celebrated in the mountains with fireworks. Some older people are still mindful of Old Christmas, its January 6 date an artifact of the 18th-century change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. The Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, and Hanukkah, are observed by the small Jewish population, while Muslim West Virginians honor Ramadan and other Islamic holidays. Some African-Americans observe Kwanzaa instead of or in addition to Christmas. Labor Day carries a special meaning in a hard working and once heavily unionized state. Unions observe Labor Day locally throughout West Virginia, and the day is welcomed by all as the final holiday of summer. The state’s largest Labor Day event is the annual United Mine Workers picnic at Racine, Boone County, a carnival-like occasion which traditionally draws a large crowd and politicians of both parties. Halloween, once a rowdy spree, has been domesticated in recent years. Municipalities set strict trick-or-treat hours, often a day or two before October 31, and sometimes try to divert children from the streets and into supervised parties. Middle-aged and older West Virginians remember a wilder holiday, especially in the rural countryside, with the blocking of roads and other serious mischief, including occasional, usually minor, destruction of property. Ethnic holidays include Fasnacht, a German pre-Lenten observance corresponding roughly to the French Mardi Gras. Fasnacht is celebrated chiefly in the German Swiss community of Helvetia, Randolph County, with costumed feast and frolicking and the burning in effigy of Old Man Winter. Belsnickling is done among German-descended West Virginians, while the costumed Shanghai parade, of indeterminate origin, marks the New Year in Lewisburg. West Virginia is among the few states to observe its own birthday as an official holiday, with citizens statewide pausing to honor June 20 as the day when, in 1863, Mountaineers became truly free. West Virginia Day celebrations typically take place in the capital city of Charleston, at West Virginia’s birthplace in Wheeling, and elsewhere. The first day of deer hunting season, the Monday before Thanksgiving, has semiofficial status as a West Virginia holiday, with public schools and some workplaces closing for the day or week. West Virginians likewise observe Groundhog Day, falling on the same date as the religious feast of Candle mas, as a popular folk holiday. Mother’s Day began in West Virginia, at Grafton, through the efforts of Anna Jarvis in honor of her mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis. The less popular Grandparents Day originated through the efforts of Marian McQuade of Oak Hill. This Article was written by Ken Sullivan Last Revised on August 17, 2015 Cite This ArticleSullivan, Ken "Holidays and Celebrations." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. 17 August 2015. Web. 15 August 2024. Comments?There aren't any comments for this article yet. | Map This Article |
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WV | Holidays and Celebrations? ›
West Virginia Day is a state holiday in the US state of West Virginia. Celebrated annually on June 20, the day celebrates the state's 1863 admission to the Union as a result of the secession of several northwestern counties of Virginia during the American Civil War.
What does West Virginia celebrate? ›West Virginia Day is a state holiday in the US state of West Virginia. Celebrated annually on June 20, the day celebrates the state's 1863 admission to the Union as a result of the secession of several northwestern counties of Virginia during the American Civil War.
What is a famous event from West Virginia? ›1859 – John Brown raided the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, in an effort to abolish slavery. 1861 – Counties of western Virginia refused to secede with Virginia and created the Restored Government of Virginia in Wheeling. 1861 – Battle of Philippi – first land battle of the Civil War.
What holiday originated in West Virginia? ›So that's why West Virginia we claim to be the 'mother state of Mother's Day,' because we hosted it in Grafton in the morning. So by 1909, it's spreading to other states. By 1912, Mother's Day is being celebrated in every state in some capacity.
Why is today West Virginia Day? ›This day marks a significant milestone in our state's history, commemorating the date West Virginia was inaugurated as a state on June 20, 1863. Unique among states, West Virginia formed as a direct result of the Civil War.
Why is West Virginia so special? ›As the United States' third most-forested state, West Virginia is known for its timber and protected woodlands. It's also famous for its salt: Wild buffalo and deer gathered to lick natural salt deposits, and Native Americans and colonists gathered salt to cure butter and preserve meats.
What are 4 interesting facts about West Virginia? ›West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, by proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Tourism is the state's leading industry. For many years, coal was the leading industry. Marshall University, located in Huntington, was named for Chief Justice John Marshall of the United States Supreme Court.
What is the oldest festival in West Virginia? ›The Mountain State Forest Festival is one of the largest and oldest festivals in West Virginia, continuing to promote the beauty and splendor of our mountains and valleys in all their autumn glory and promoting prudent development, conservation and culture of our abundant natural resources for the future.
What is West Virginia best known for? ›The state's rolling mountains, hills and valleys earned it the nickname of the Mountain State, and it is well-known for its range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting.
What famous food is West Virginia known for? ›Pepperoni Rolls
It is so popular that it is West Virginia's official state food.
What is West Virginia's nickname? ›
West Virginia also derives its nickname from a range of mountains - the Appalachians. It is called the Mountain State.
What are some important dates for West Virginia? ›- 1863-03-26 Voters in West Virginia approve gradual emancipation of slaves.
- 1863-06-20 West Virginia admitted as 35th US state of the Union.
- 1863-08-26 Battle of Rocky Gap, West Virginia (White Sulphur Springs): Colonel George S. ...
- 1863-11-01 -8] Averell's Raid (on)to Lewisburg, West Virginia.
In 1863, the western region was admitted to the Union as a new separate state, initially planned to be called the State of Kanawha, but ultimately named West Virginia.
What is the state motto of WV? ›State Motto - Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers Are Always Free) Montani Semper Liberi (Latin for "Mountaineers are Always Free") is the official motto of the state of West Virginia. It was adopted as the official motto of the state in Article II, Section 2-7, of the state constitution signed in 1872.
Why did WV split from VA? ›Secession from Virginia was the hope of some western Virginians as early as 1829. Many western Virginians felt underrepresented in the legislature, overtaxed, and shortchanged in state spending. In many counties, rugged terrain made plantation agriculture impractical.
Is June 20 a WV state holiday? ›West Virginia Day (June 20) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (First Monday in September)
What is West Virginia popular for? ›West Virginia is known for its scenic mountain beauty, unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities and the friendliest folks in the country.
What day is West Virginia's birthday? ›Since West Virginia was declared a state on June 20th, 1863, the Mountain State has only become more beautiful with age. West Virginians and West Virginia lovers alike look forward to celebrating Almost Heaven's birthday with the outdoors in mind.
What is the national food of West Virginia? ›Pepperoni Rolls
According to wvtourism.com, the pepperoni roll was developed by an Italian baker around the year 1930 as an easy meal for coal miners to carry in their lunch boxes, and it still remains popular today. It is so popular that it is West Virginia's official state food.