Bordering West Virginia, the Alleghany Highlands is an easy to get to destination for anyone from Beckley to Snowshoe wanting to participate in summer events. If you are an avid sportsman or woman and like to fish, make plans to attend the Big BASS Tournament at Lake Moomaw on May 17th. Travelers will be driving in from afar to enjoy a day of competition and take-in the amazing views of the Alleghany Highlands, Lake Moomaw, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Festivities kick off Friday night with a pre-event banquet. The tournament will commence on Saturday with an early morning check-in at Lake Moomaw Fortney Branch location from 5:30-6:30am. Please remember to check-in as no fishing is permitted after 6:30am. The first flight of boats will be released at 7:00am and flights will be used in order to ensure safety of contestants. The tournament ends at 3:00pm and weigh-in also begins at this time. An awards ceremony is held at 4:00pm and there will be $10,000 in prizes! The biggest largemouth and biggest smallmouth bass will be awarded.
Registration is $125 per team and you are encouraged to register by May 15th, deadline is the 16th. Late registration is $145. You may hand deliver or mail your registration to Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce at 110 Mall Road, Covington, VA 24426.
This beautiful area is not only the home to the annual Big BASS Tournament but other outdoor events as well. It hosts the annual Alleghany Highlands Triathlon, now in its 6th year and also held on May 17th. This event starts at 9am at the Sharon Community Center on 4016 Nicelytown Rd in Clifton Forge, VA. Participants run 3.1 miles, kayak 4 miles, and bike 12 miles.
Another physically enduring event is the annual Jackson River Scenic Trail Half Marathon, now in its 2nd year and held Saturday, June 28th. This race, in particular, is a favorite among runners from all across Virginia. The course is mostly flat and runs parallel to the Jackson River. You are encouraged to bring your family because people of all ages and physical ability can participate. Besides the half marathon, there is a 10k race and a 1-mile fun run. (see ad to the right)
This summer, go outside and enjoy the mountain scenery, lakes, and rivers of the Alleghany Highlands. You’ll find plenty of fun things to do while creating new and exciting memories.
HASHTAGWV ART & ENTERTAINMENT Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Christina Entenmann-Edwards has been a WV resident since September 2008. She was born and raised in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and is no stranger to hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit. In 2006, she graduated from Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Connecticut), Cum Laude, with a B.A. in History. In 2010, she graduated with an M.B.A. from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia). In February 2012, Christina launched HashtagWV as the area’s first full-color, free arts and entertainment tabloid + online platform. Christina completed the Leadership West Virginia class of 2021, which is an innovative program that grows, engages, and mobilizes leaders to ignite a life passion to move West Virginia forward.