WV Black Heritage Festival celebrates 34th anniversary in Clarksburg

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Black Heritage Festival was in full swing in downtown Clarksburg on Saturday showcasing its history.

The Main Street area in front of the courthouse saw plenty of singing, food truck, and vendors for everyone to visit and enjoy. Some of the food at the festival included Catfish, ribs, and collard greens.

Festival officials said they kicked off the celebration by crowning West Virginia’s Black Heritage Festival King and Queen and expressed the importance of taking time to celebrate one’s heritage, especially in the Mountain State.

In 1990 the Kelly Miller Alumni Association was discussing fund-raising ideas and that evolved into what we know today as the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the festival James Griffin reflected on its history.

“We know we’ve come this far by faith, and we always want to take time to thank God for bringing us to where we are,” Griffin said. “Oftentimes when you’re out of West Virginia and you’re a native West Virginian and you mention West Virginia people kind of give you a little snicker, but we’ve made a lot of contributions here in West Virginia.”

The festival will wrap up Sunday evening. Officials invite everyone to attend the festival, where they can enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.

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