When early September rolls into Kingwood, West Virginia, the Preston County Buckwheat Festival takes center stage, drawing visitors eager to experience a lively blend of tradition, local culture, and outdoor excitement. This annual event honors the rich agricultural roots of Preston County, spotlighting buckwheat—a crop that shaped local cuisine and community identity. Beyond the charm of folk music and craft vendors, the festival invites you to engage directly in hands-on activities, from milling buckwheat flour to enjoying hearty, freshly cooked buckwheat pancakes, offering a taste of heritage that’s both historic and immediate.

Set in the heart of Kingwood’s historic district, the festival delivers a vivid encounter with Appalachian customs. The air hums with the strum of guitars and the stomp of dancers’ feet, while the scent of wood-fired pancakes and smoked meats weaves through the stalls. Vendors showcase handmade quilts, pottery, and traditional crafts, linking visitors with skilled artisans who keep regional crafts alive. For outdoor enthusiasts, the event’s timing is ideal; it coincides with crisp, early fall weather perfect for exploring nearby trails.

Preston County’s landscape offers accessible hikes that complement your festival visit. Trails meander through oak and maple woods beginning their autumn shift. Hikers can expect moderate terrain, with elevation gains around 500-700 feet, where shaded forest paths lead to lookout points overlooking rolling hills drenched in fall colors. These hikes provide a quiet contrast to the festival’s spirited atmosphere, allowing you to engage with West Virginia’s landscape where rivers dare the wind to catch you and leaves whisper stories overhead.

Practicality counts here. Festival hours typically run Friday through Sunday, so plan accommodations ahead, especially in Kingwood or nearby Morgantown. Bring hiking shoes with firm tread if you plan on trekking, and pack water and layers for temperature swings. Early morning hikes reward you with mist rolling over the hills, while afternoons invite festival strolls. Hydrate often; the day’s mix of movement and indulgence demands it.

Whether your draw is the down-home cooking, folk music, or the chance to stretch your legs on wooded paths, the Preston County Buckwheat Festival equips you to experience a slice of Appalachian life—fierce, vivid, and alive. It’s an invitation to respect the land, the culture, and the shared heritage that grounds this community and its visitors. This isn’t just a festival; it’s an active engagement with a place fiercely itself and waiting for your footsteps.