West Virginia Strawberry Festival

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Food & DrinkBuckhannon
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration9 daysListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 60,000 people
Best forRegional food & drinkFew festivals of this scale exist in towns
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

West Virginia Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival takes over Buckhannon for more than a week each May, built around the region's strawberry harvest and now marking eight decades of consecutive years. Three parades, a car show, band competitions, and carnival rides fill Upshur County's small county seat, while strawberry shortcake stands anchor the festival's culinary identity and draw an estimated 60,000 visitors.

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival began in Buckhannon as a celebration of the strawberry harvest that once made Upshur County a notable regional producer of the fruit.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few festivals of this scale exist in towns as small as Buckhannon, and the strawberry festival's ability to draw roughly 60,000 visitors to a county seat of a few thousand residents makes it one of West Virginia's most disproportionately large community events

02

The mystery stays covered

Its three separate parades, spread across the multi-day run, give the festival a rhythm distinct from single-parade festivals elsewhere in the state

03

The city starts moving

The signature strawberry shortcake, served fresh at stands throughout the week, ties the celebration directly to the harvest that gives the festival its name and its founding purpose

04

The water draws everyone in

Strong municipal investment, including direct city funding for free headline concerts, reflects how central the festival has become to Buckhannon's civic identity and local economy

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Fresh strawberry shortcake

Water and renewal

Living ritual

three separate parades

The sacred route

Living ritual

and a band competition are the festival's longest-running recurring features

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

West Virginia Strawberry Festival is easier when the venue, route and way back from Buckhannon are chosen before the day starts.

What to wear

Casual and comfortable for warm May days; sun protection for daytime parades and layers for cooler evening concerts.

Safety

At West Virginia Strawberry Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Buckhannon.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.99 N, 80.23 WOpen in Google Maps

Buckhannon, WV

Nearest airportCKB — North Central West Virginia
TransportWest Virginia Strawberry Festival is easier when the venue, route and way back from Buckhannon are chosen before the day starts.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Buckhannon.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Buckhannon via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Buckhannon, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearCasual and comfortable for warm May days; sun protection for daytime parades and layers for cooler evening concerts.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is West Virginia Strawberry Festival?

West Virginia Strawberry Festival is listed for Past edition: 9–17 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does West Virginia Strawberry Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Buckhannon, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Buckhannon, WV

How big is it?

Medium: 60000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwvstrawberryfestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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