This October, something new and exciting lands in the Greenbrier Valley. Organized by Todd Longanacre, whose lifelong love of fairs and passion for self-sufficient living sparked the idea, this event is the result of over a year of planning. The first-ever West Virginia Off Grid Living Survive and Thrive Expo will take place at the WV State Fairgrounds from October 3 to 5.

“It’s going to be a very diverse show,” Longanacre shares.

With experience as a state parks superintendent, legislator, and food truck operator, he’s traveled widely across West Virginia attending festivals and fairs. “There’s nothing like this in the entire state,” he emphasizes. “You can find self-preparedness workshops, homesteading seminars, and hunting and fishing shows, but to have all that and more in one place is unique. That’s the vision I had because it’s open to a more diverse group of people.”

The Expo covers a wide range of skills and interests: homesteading, food preservation, water collection, gardening, homestead animals and security, primitive fieldcraft, living history demonstrations, overlanding vehicles, RV camping, wild edibles and medicinal plants, flintknapping, survival skills, predator control, and much more.

“The whole vision I had of this,” Longanacre explains, “was not only for a new festival to come to town, but more importantly, for me personally, is to let people know it’s okay to be prepared with knowledge. It’s okay to rely on the skills and provisions that God has made available to us in our natural surroundings.”

Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to meet celebrity guests and local pros, attend short workshops, and watch living history in action. Notable names include:

• Joel Salatin, “The Lunatic Farmer,” bestselling author and sustainable agriculture expert, who currently serves as Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Ed Snyder, U.S. Army combat veteran and survivalist known from the Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid.
• Isaiah Tuck, Air Force veteran and Alone Season 11 contestant, appearing Friday only to share bushcraft expertise. He also currently serves as a West Virginia DNR Game Warden.

Other featured experts include:

• Jake Trent: Certified in Wilderness First Aid by the American Red Cross, Jake is a wilderness survival expert, photographer, influencer, and owner of Buckeye Bushcraft.
• The Major: Co-organizer of the Expo, retired after a 30-year career as a U.S. Army paratrooper, combat arms soldier, and “maverick officer” with multiple deployments, founder of Forest Manna Outdoors, expert in wild edibles and survival techniques, and Army JROTC instructor. 
• Dr. Scott Womack: Retired cavalry officer, educator, and historian specializing in homesteading, livestock, beekeeping, meat processing, and traditional fermentation techniques.
• Barbara Volk (The Herbalist Weed Wife): Homesteader and herbal medicine expert with over 40 years of experience in food-as-medicine, tinctures, and natural ointments; former president of the West Virginia Herb Association.
• Steven Hudnall: Licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent and founder of Triple H Outdoor Pursuits, sharing extensive knowledge in homestead predator control.

The Expo will also feature a wide variety of vendors located in the West Virginia Building, the adjacent green space, and the Gus R. Douglass Annex. Most are local Appalachian crafters and artisans offering goods and services often hard to find elsewhere. A few select out-of-state vendors will also be present, bringing unique items you won’t see in big box stores. Hourly lectures and seminars will take place on the main stage in the Gus R. Douglass Annex throughout the event.

Families are welcome, and there’s plenty for kids to enjoy, including bouncy castles, encounters with homestead animals, and a kids’ survival corner. For vendors and volunteers of faith, a non-denominational Christian worship service will be held on Sunday morning before gates open.

“Bring your families. Bring your kids. Let them see it’s okay to be prepared and learn about off-grid living,” Longanacre encourages. “There’s something for everybody. If you don’t want to live off-grid and live in the middle of town, that’s fine. Maybe you enjoy hiking trails, camping occasionally, or mountain biking. You might want to know how to pack a proper day pack for a hike, in case you take a wrong turn. There’s truly something for everyone. And the more people that show up, the more money we raise for Tunnel to Towers.”

Beyond practical skills, the Expo champions a greater cause: benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit created in honor of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who gave his life while saving others on 9/11. After hearing the Twin Towers had been hit, he ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in full gear to reach the scene – a final act of heroism that inspired a nationwide mission. Today, the Foundation carries on his legacy by building smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans, paying off mortgages for Gold Star and fallen first responder families, and working to end veteran homelessness. To learn more, visit t2t.org. 

Event Details:
Location: West Virginia State Fairgrounds
Dates:

• Friday, October 3: Gates open at 10 a.m.
• Saturday, October 4: Gates open at 9 a.m.
• Sunday, October 5: Gates open at 10 a.m.

Ticket Info:
Advance Tickets:

• $12 for ages 18+
• $5 for ages 17 and under
• Free for children 3 and under

At the Gate:

• $15 for ages 18+
• $7 for ages 17 and under
• Free for children 3 and under

For tickets and full details, visit wvoffgridexpo.com.

So whether you’re a seasoned homesteader, a curious camper, or just looking for a meaningful fall weekend with the family, the Survive and Thrive Expo offers hands-on learning, inspiring speakers, and a chance to connect with your community all while supporting a cause that truly matters. 

Learn, explore, connect…and give back. See you at the Fairgrounds this October!