West Virginia Three Rivers Festival

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalFairmont
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe pepperoni roll eating contest gives this
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

West Virginia Three Rivers Festival in Fairmont

The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival fills Fairmont's Palatine Park with three days of live music, a parade, and fireworks every Memorial Day weekend. Now in its fifth decade, the festival is best known for its pepperoni roll eating contest, a nod to the beloved West Virginia coal-town snack, alongside carnival rides and a parade that crosses the city's High Level Bridge.

The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival takes its name from Fairmont's location near the confluence of the Monongahela, Tygart Valley, and West Fork rivers, a geography that has shaped the city's industrial and transportation history since coal mining and railroads built the local economy.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The pepperoni roll eating contest gives this festival a genuinely local identity: the pepperoni roll, a bread roll baked around a stick of pepperoni, was invented for West Virginia coal miners and remains one of the state's most distinctive foods, and the contest turns that culinary heritage into the festival's signature event

02

The mystery stays covered

The parade route itself is a landmark experience, crossing Fairmont's High Level Bridge over the Monongahela River before ending at riverside Palatine Park, giving the procession a scenic backdrop rare among small-city parades

03

The city starts moving

Nearly fifty consecutive years of programming, recognized as a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, have made the festival a fixed point on the Memorial Day calendar for Marion County families and returning alumni of the region alike

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The pepperoni roll eating contest

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a parade crossing the High Level Bridge

The sacred route

Living ritual

and a closing fireworks display over Palatine Park are the festival's defining recurring features

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For West Virginia Three Rivers Festival, plan transport around the exact Fairmont venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor attire suited to late-May weather; comfortable shoes for the parade route and park grounds.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For West Virginia Three Rivers Festival, stay near the part of Fairmont you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.49 N, 80.14 WOpen in Google Maps

Fairmont, WV

Nearest airportPIT — Pittsburgh
TransportFor West Virginia Three Rivers Festival, plan transport around the exact Fairmont venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor West Virginia Three Rivers Festival, stay near the part of Fairmont you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Fairmont via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Fairmont, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor attire suited to late-May weather; comfortable shoes for the parade route and park grounds.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

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is West Virginia Three Rivers Festival?

West Virginia Three Rivers Festival is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does West Virginia Three Rivers Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Fairmont, 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?

Spring 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?

Fairmont, WV

Is it family friendly?

unknown

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

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Calgary Stampede

Past edition: 3–12 July 2026

Calgary, Canada
Photo pending

Mawazine - Rhythms of the World

Past edition: 19–27 June 2026

Rabat/Sale, Morocco
Photo pending

Seville April Fair

Past edition: 21–26 April 2026

Seville, Spain
Photo pending

Minnesota State Fair

August · Summer

Falcon Heights, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →