This July, get outside in the wild and wonderful to enjoy 4 days of Durbin tradition at the 31st Annual Durbin Days Heritage Festival! Since 1987, this yearly event is held in on the Main Street of Durbin, WV in Pocahontas County and from Wednesday, July 18 to Saturday, the 21st and a Pageant on Sunday, July 8th. Daily attendees will partake in Gambills Amusements family carnival, food, vendors set up around town, cake walks, calf chases, rabbit pong, young adult poetry slam, storytelling, fireworks, and so much more! Starting Thursday, the main stage presents live music by country music artists’ Half Step Down, Johnnie Black & J Ray, and Michael Bonnett and River’s Edge. Bring a chair!

The event officially kicks off with the “Shine Bright like a Diamond” Durbin Days Heritage Festival Pageant on Sunday, July 8th at 2pm in the Pocahontas County High School Auditorium, Dunmore, WV. Festivities continue on the 18th. Here is the full schedule:

Wednesday, July 18:

Country Fair registration at the Durbin Community Library, from 2-6pm.– ($2 per item, 5 item limit)

Opening Ceremonies on the Main stage, 5:30pm

Gambill Amusements Carnival, 6-10pm.

Food, Vendors, and Dime Pitch on the Festival Grounds 

Pet Show on the Main Stage, 6pm. ($5, sign up at 5:30 pm) This event is sponsored by Cheat MT Trader & Interstate Hardwood

Karaoke DJ Danny Barkley on the Main Stage, 7-11pm (3) bring a chair! There will be a

karaoke contest from 9-11pm.

Greased Pig Contest in the Town Round Pen at 8pm. ($5, registration begins at 7:15 pm) This event is sponsored by P&B Trucking-Timber, Clayton Homes, Vance Plumbing & Betty’s Boots

Thursday, July 19

Country Fair will be closed for Judging

Durbin Art Center on the Main Street, 1-4pm. Enjoy craft activities, such as potholder loom, quill pen writing, and coloring!

Calf Chase at the Town Round Pen, 7pm ($ 3 registration begins at 6:30pm, 2 age groups) This event is sponsored by Cheat Mt Trader, Clayton Homes & Liggett’s Supply Company

Cake Walk in the Station 2 parking lot at 6pm

Gambill Amusements Carnival, 6-10pm.

Food, Vendors, and Dime Pitch on the Festival Grounds

Music by Half Step Down on the Main Stage from 7-10pm. Bring a chair!

Friday, July 20

Durbin Art Center and their Afternoon Herbal Tea on the Main Street from 10am-5pm (tea till 4p)

Country Fair at the Durbin Community Library from 2-6pm

Arts & Crafts near the Bunkhouse from 4-8pm

Petting Zoo with Pony Rides at the Town Round Pen from 4-8pm. ($2 entry fee to pet) This event is sponsored by Snowshoe Foundation grant

Rabbit Pong on the Festival Grounds from 5-9pm

History of Durbin told by Jason Bauserman in the Town Hall, 5-7pm

Gambill Amusements Carnival, 6-10pm.

Food, Vendors, and Dime Pitch on the Festival Grounds

Old Liar’s Storytelling Contest at the Durbin Community Library from 6-7pm                                          

Fireman’s Parade at 7pm. This event is sponsored by BFD Fire Department

Calf Auction at 8pm.

Young Adult Poetry Slam at the Durbin Community Library from 8-9pm

Live music by Johnnie Black & J Ray on the Main Stage from 7:30-10:30pm. Bring a chair!

Saturday, July 21

Horseshoe Pitch in the Town Park at 9am. (registration at 8:30am. $7 entry fee and $10 for team) This event is sponsored by Al’s Upper End Club & Betty’s Boots

5K Run/Walk at Bartow Intersection Routes 250/28/92, at 9:30am ($15 entry fee, registration at 9AM) – PC Parks & Rec Grant

Arts & Crafts near the Bunkhouse from 9am-4pm.

Durbin Art Center on the Main Street with Basket Weaving by Margery Sparks from 1-4pm.

Mini Horse Show w/ kid participation at the Town Round Pen, 10am

Country Fair at the Durbin Community Library from 10am-1pm.

Car Show in the West End of Durbin from 10am-1pm ($10 entry fee) This event is sponsored by Murphy’s Auto Sales, Glotfelty Tire, Millers Modifications, Valley Rent-A Car & Mufflers, Brakes.

Old Time Music and Bluegrass Jam on the Main Stage from 10am-12pm.

BBQ Chicken on the Main Street at 12pm. This is a fundraiser for the BFD Fire Department

Gambill Amusements Carnival, 6-10pm.

Food, Vendors, and Dime Pitch on the Festival Grounds

Car Parade starting at the Durbin Community Library, 1pm.     

Grand Feature Parade at 2pm. This event is sponsored by Bennett’s Logging

Parade Awards & Gun Raffle drawing on the Main Stage at 3pm

Cornhole Tournament at Town Park, 3:30pm ($20 entry fee doubles only, Registration begins at 3:00 pm) This event is sponsored by J & A trucking and T. D.’s Classic Tee’s.

Dime Pitch on Festival Grounds, from 3-10pm.

History of Durbin told by Jason Bauserman at Town Hall from 3-5pm

DJ Dreama Schnieder on the Main Stage from 3-5:30pm

Rabbit Pong on Festival Grounds from 5-9pm

Tug-o-War near the Bunkhouse at 6pm (5-person teams, $10 per team) This event is sponsored

by Al’s Upper Inn Club

Live music with Michael Bonnett and River’s Edge on the Main Stage, 7-11pm

Grand Fireworks at 10pm.

***Jail will be open Saturday for viewing ***

***Discounted Durbin rocket train rides on Saturday at 10 am, 12 pm, and 3:30 pm***

If you haven’t already, make plans to visit Durbin this July! For accommodations check out the East Fork Campground, Lodging & Stables, Station 2 Restaurant & Lodging, Greenbrier Suites, or the Boyer Motel. During the festival, you are encouraged to enjoy the many outdoor activities Pocahontas County has to offer. And a few places worth visiting include a ride on The Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank.

For more information, visit Durbin Days Heritage Festival on facebook or email durbindaysheritagefestival@gmail.com.

– HashtagWV #103. July 2018.