Published: April 26, 2008 11:59 pm            

Day-trippin’

Rediscover Marion County for a quick vacation

FAIRMONT — Springtime in Marion County. Is there a better time of year?

The days are longer and sunny. Birds are singing and flowers blooming. You want to be outside, to go places with your family, to have fun and enjoy the wonderful weather.

You want to take a trip with the family, but don’t want to dip into the kids’ college funds to pay for the gas.

Here’s the solution.

Become a day-tripper.

West Virginia has a generous supply of activities that are low-cost or no-cost and are just a few hours away.

Whether as a practice run for your big summer vacation or maybe just a quick, close-to-home Saturday out on the county, why not start your trip in your own backyard by rediscovering Marion County?

“We’re starting to get inquiries about events,” said Marianne Moran, executive director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County Inc.

“Some of our spring advertising just hit more than 50 newspapers in the Mid-Atlantic Region. And we’re in the May issue of Oprah magazine. I’m sure we’ll be getting 2,000-3,000 leads from that.”

This is when people start inquiring about vacation spots, she said.

“They’re thinking that school will soon be out and they want to find things to do. More and more people are taking vacations closer to home, shorter but more frequent vacations, like a three-day weekend instead of a week.

“When I was growing up, you’d take a two-week vacation. People don’t do that anymore in our society. You don’t feel that you can be away from work for more than a week. Plus, you feel there’s something to look forward to with four minivacations instead of one long one.”

If you want to do West Virginia — and she recommends you do — call 1-800-CALLWVA or visit www.wvtourism.com.

“You can search the calendar by region and by day. If you want to stay in Mountaineer Country (Morgantown, Clarksburg, Fairmont area), you can pull things up from there and plan accordingly. So if you don’t want to spend more than an hour in your car, you don’t have to. This is especially useful for day-trip plans.”

Spice up a humdrum Saturday by taking the kids minigolfing at East Marion Park or Coal Country Minigolf, or bumper carring and wall climbing at Valley Worlds of Fun.

“These are inexpensive things families can do together.”

The granddaddy of Marion’s attractions is Pricketts Fort State Park. The reconstructed 18th century refuge fort built on the then-Virginia frontier is a long-standing member of the West Virginia State Parks system.

“Kids and adults alike are interested in Pricketts Fort,” Moran said.

And what’s not to like? It doesn’t take long to shut the modern-day world out and — as you take in the taps from the carpenter’s hammer and inhale the sharp smoke wisping from the living quarters cabin — to imagine yourself back in perilous frontier Virginia that was Marion County in 1774.

Pricketts Fort State Park is continuing its spring program today with the last day of the Jones Imboden Raid Civil War Weekend. This commemorates the 1863 Confederate raid on Fairmont, when Confederate forces tried to gain control of the strategic B&O Railroad and capture Francis Pierpont, governor of the Reorganized Virginia. Regular park admission applies.

Listen to the birdies sing on the last of the spring bird walks at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 3. Bring your binoculars and wear your best hiking shoes. It is free and open to the public.

Find out just how cool wool is at the annual Sheep to Shawl Day, May 17. Watch wool be sheared, and then get carded, spun and woven to make clothing.

Memorial Day weekend is just a month away, and the Fort is ready to welcome it in style.

The Memorial Day Program on May 26 will teach you about those who served in military units throughout the history of the fort including the French and Indian, Revolutionary and Civil wars.

On May 30, local musicians under the direction of Dr. Valarie Huffman will perform at the fort’s amphitheater.

“When you plan your vacation, you don’t want to spend a lot of time in your car,” Moran said. “You’ll want something close by and fun.”

Don’t worry about taking the little ones to state parks. Even if they’re too young to appreciate the history behind Pricketts Fort or the beauty of Valley Falls, they’ll always find fun things to do — like feeding the ducks and geese at the fort. Just remember to bring along some bread.

“Most state parks have playground equipment suitable for small children, who don’t like to be penned up,” Moran said.

The festival season is shaking loose from its long winter hibernation. Marion County’s first major event is just a few weeks away.

The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival will take place May 22-24 in downtown Fairmont. Admission and entertainment are free.

“But you know the kids will want to ride the rides, so there are costs for that,” she said with a grandmother’s experience.

Who doesn’t like a bargain? We’ve all read about the person who found some priceless treasure at a yard sale. Who’s to say it couldn’t be you?

Someone else’s trash just could be your treasure at the citywide Mannington Yard Sale set for Saturday, May 3.

“This will be all over Mannington, especially in the downtown area,” she said. “There’s a whole group of people who love these yard sales. If you like yardsaling, all of this will be fairly centrally located.”

There’s an added treat, Moran said.

“There will be a white elephant hidden in one of the places during the yard sale. Whoever finds it gets a gift certificate from Red Dot Pharmacy.

“Rediscover Marion County,” she said. “There’s a lot for individuals and families to do that are either free or low-cost, and this can save

you gas money for the things you have



to do.”

E-mail Debra

Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.

        

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