Spring festivals in West Virginia give us the opportunity to celebrate warm weather and the awakening of the natural world around us. One of West Virginia’s newest annual festivals is steeped in one of the richest eras of state history. Don’t miss the chance to check this West Virginia festival out at J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works in May!

The BB&T Malden Salt Fest returns this year on Saturday, May 18, 2024, on the beautiful grounds of the J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works. This event - free to the public - celebrates the rich legacy of salt production in the Kanawha Valley.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works / Facebook
The craft of salt production began along the banks of the Kanawha River over 200 years ago, when settlers recognized the value of the salt springs already prized by the Native Americans and began digging wells to extract the salty brine.
Management / Tripadvisor
Salt manufacturing became one of West Virginia's earliest industries: production from the Kanawha Valley supplied the country through the War of 1812, and by the 1830s, the area was the nation's center of salt production, especially supporting the nearby meat-packing industry in Cincinnati.
The J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works came into existence in 1817 in the town of Malden, which earned the title "Salt Capital of the East."
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works / Facebook
However, after many decades of productivity, various factors led to the demise of the Kanawha Valley salt industry, including the discovery of brine fields elsewhere in the country, the shift of the meat-packing industry farther west, a massive Kanawha River flood in 1861 that destroyed many of the local salt operations, and - primarily - the havoc wreaked by the Civil War. After the war, the Kanawha Valley Bank - West Virginia's first state bank and the predecessor of BB&T Bank - was founded to help fund efforts to restart the salt industry in the region. One of the Kanawha Valley Bank's founders was William Dickinson Jr., son of the founder of Dickinson Salt Works.

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Though the bank's efforts only temporarily revived the local industry, which died out on a large scale by the 1940s, Dickinson descendants at the J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works preserve this delicious tradition today through their natural, sustainable methods of salt harvesting that result in a uniquely pure and flavorful product.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works / Facebook
This spring, BB&T and the J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works team up once again for a fun festival to commemorate the crucial role of salt in West Virginia life and history.
The Salt Fest features fun and educational activities for the whole family: history, crafts, delicious food, and live music. It is one of our favorite West Virginia spring festivals with a fascinating history.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works / Facebook
Tour the facilities and learn about the unique craft preserved here.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works / Facebook
Be sure to pause and enjoy the lovely grounds of the J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works!
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works / Facebook

Don’t miss the BB&T Malden Salt Fest this spring! This West Virginia spring festival has been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. It’s that good.

Looking for more? There’s also the Strawberry Festival coming up soon…

Dating Back To The 1930s, The Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival Is One Of The Sweetest Events Ever

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Spring In West Virginia

Chris Muras | March 02, 2024

What are some things to do in West Virginia in spring?
When West Virginia wakes up in the spring outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers rejoice. Here are a few things to do in West Virginia in spring that will help you enjoy the warm sun and fresh spring air:

  • Ramps and Rail Festival, Elkins, WV: This might sound like a strange combination for a spring festival, but to West Virginians, we wouldn't miss it. What the heck is the Ramps and Rail Festival? You might have guessed it involves trains - and you'd be correct. But what is a "ramp"? This wild-growing vegetable is like a spring onion or a leek. It has a wonderful garlicky onion flavor that can be used in all sorts of dishes. So, essentially the Ramps and Rail Festival is just a fun foodie festival with a bunch of hardcore train enthusiasts. Look forward to it toward the end of April.
  • Irish Spring Festival, Ireland, WV: Did you know there is an Ireland, West Virginia? There is a wonderful Irish community in Lewis County that is the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in mid-March. This charming town was named after one of its original settlers, Andrew Wilson who originated from Ireland. Andrew lived to the amazing age of 114! So it is believed this region has magical longevity powers. This is a fun spring festival with parades, road bowling, amazing costumes, a bike tour, a hike up to Blarney Rock, and much much more.
  • Core Arboretum Spring Flower Festival, Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University has a pretty spectacular arboretum that really comes alive each spring. Amid many acres of old-growth forest in the Monongahela River flood plain you'll find this sanctuary for flowering plants, trees, bushes, and shrubs. Enjoy spring wildflower walks past fields of bright bluebells and dozens or hundreds of other flowering plant species. The Spring Flower Festival is a great way to learn about and enjoy these colorful harbingers of spring.

One of our favorite things to do in spring in West Virginia is to enjoy a good hike. Here are some of our favorite WV hiking trails. Grab a map from AllTrails+ and head out on a spring adventure.

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Featured Addresses
Malden Salt Festival, 4797 Midland Dr, Malden, WV 25306, USA