Welcome to August!

There’s a specific kind of magic that settles over the Greenbrier Valley every August. You can feel it in the shifting mountain breeze, in the steady pulse of traffic rolling down US-219, and in the collective anticipation that fills in air in Fairlea.

This issue is a celebration of that enduring pull. In our cover story, The Gathering Ground of Summer, we take a look at the heart of summer traditions. From the living heritage of the 101st West Virginia State Fair to the vibrant creativity of the Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fair in Beckley, these gatherings remind us that our greatest traditions aren’t frozen in time, that they are renewed by the people who carry them forward.

Throughout this issue, you’ll meet the local faces who make fair season so special. We catch up with a hometown musician as he plans his next appearance on Center Stage, sample a fresh spin on an iconic West Virginia comfort food, and visit with a Renaissance Faire artist whose hand-sculpted dragons are driven purely by the joy of bringing wonder to others.

The fair reminds us that our living traditions are shaped by the people who gather, celebrate, and carry them forward, one summer at a time. We hope this issue serves as a warm companion for your summer of discovery. See you out on the fairgrounds!

Warmly,

Hashtag Staff