This Charming Small Town In West Virginia Celebrates Fourth Of July In A Big Way
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
West Virginia is charming in every way and nowhere is that charm more apparent than in Ripley. Located in the western part of the state, this small town in West Virginia is home to approximately 3,000 residents. As you walk around, you’ll notice its beautiful downtown area, friendly residents, and wide range of businesses … but that’s not all Ripley is known for. This beautiful small town in West Virginia is known for its big-time celebrations based around Independence Day.
Over the years, many memorable events have taken place in Ripley including a nationally-televised "Today Show," where TV crews visited the small town to film a 15-minute segment about the 1965 celebration. On July 4, 2002, President George W. Bush was the event's guest speaker and during the 2021 parade, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams served as grand marshal.
This three-day event features artisans with handmade creations ranging from colorful quilts to iron creations that are forged by blacksmiths. You can also find homemade food on-site, such as apple butter and corn meal. This event will take place July 1st - 3rd, and you can visit the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair website for a complete schedule.
The carnival will be held in the municipal parking lot in Ripley from June 30th - July 4th
This large parade will put a smile on your face as floats, vehicles of all shapes and sizes, local bands, and other organizations pass by.
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This delicious restaurant has been serving Ripley since 1990. It features quite an extensive menu that ranges from appetizers like macaroni and cheese bites to steak and seafood meals.
At this themed ice cream shop, it is Halloween all year long. Your sweet tooth will thank you for stopping by and trying ice cream treats like Arachnophobia, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Hocus Pocus.
If you love to fish and kayak, we recommend visiting Elk Fork Lake, which is a regular stop for statewide kayak fishing competitions.
While Farmhouse Market Finds features quite an assortment of products, even the building itself is a true gem. This market is located in an 1890 building that was originally built as a personal residence but has since served many purposes such as a hospital and bed and breakfast.
As you walk around this unique shopping area, give yourself plenty of time to look around. This is a terrific place to purchase jewelry, paintings, crafts, cards, and more. In addition to finding a selection of unique treasures, the WV Artisan Market also hosts art classes and you can stop by to order a tasty lunch,
For more information on Ripley’s Fourth of July celebrations, visit this event’s official website. You can also visit Ripley’s Convention and Visitors Bureau website and Facebook page for more information about the town and upcoming events.
Have you ever participated in the oldest Independence Day Celebration in Ripley, West Virginia? If so, what are some of your favorite activities during this week-long event? We’d love to hear all about your experiences in the comments!
Featured Addresses
Ripley, WV, USA