Road kill is pretty common in West Virginia due to the abundance of wildlife. Since 78 percent of our state is forested, this is no surprise to anyone. But this one festival in Marlinton takes road kill to a whole new level.

In Marlinton, the West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off has become the States most unusual festival, with enough renown to catch the attention of the Food Network, the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel.
YouTube/Marlinton West Virginia Roadkill Cook off & Harvest Festival
The festival has live music and many vendors of different varieties, selling normal food and other items.
YouTube/Marlinton West Virginia Roadkill Cook off & Harvest Festival

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It also has exactly what most people came to try: roadkill cuisine.
YouTube/Marlinton West Virginia Roadkill Cook off & Harvest Festival
Although the food served might not have been specifically found dead on the side of the road, the variety suggests animals who commonly meet such a fate.
Varieties include wild boar, elk, turtle, iguana nachos, partridge, grouse, quill and, of course, venison (served as wonton wraps).
YouTube/Marlinton West Virginia Roadkill Cook off & Harvest Festival
These varieties likely change from year to year, but every time you go, you can expect to taste some food that you have never tried before, or at the very least, don't try very often.

The festival takes place in Marlinton every fall; check out its Facebook page for more information and to see when this year’s festival will be.

Have you ever been to this festival, or ever had roadkill as a meal? Either way, feel free to leave a comment below and join the discussion.

To learn more about West Virginia, check out these 9 strange habits every West Virginian will defend.

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