Enjoy a weekend of events across town.
By this time of year, we’re all itching to get out of the house for real. As you plan your weekend, check out some of these can’t-miss events and adventures.
Blacksmithing Workshop
Ever wonder if you would survive the Iron Age? Well, Arthurdale Heritage is ready to help you find out—come explore, learn, and equip yourself for life in the B.C.s.
For a $220 fee, you’ll get the lesson of a lifetime—one that teaches you a life skill. Tim “Beard” Hibbs is ready to guide you through the basics of blacksmithing and show you how to forge your very own wall hook.
The event takes place in Arthurdale, at Blacksmith’s Forge. Pull on your long pants, pack a lunch, throw on some safety glasses, and get ready for an unforgettable experience on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cheat Fest Pre-party
What’s even better than a party? A party before the party, of course! The Friends of the Cheat bartenders know what’s up with their 2026 Cheat Fest Pre-Party.
Join popular bartenders Amanda Pitzer and Chris Wade for drinks, grab delicious food from BC Mac, and stick around for raffles, festival merch, games, and more. And if that’s not enough, dance to live music from Andy Tuck Band, Cheat Mountain Riders, The Weevils, and Leftover Stews.
The pre-celebration celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. on April 10—so grab your dancing shoes, pack an appetite, and head down to Pleasant Street to ramp up your energy for the Cheat River Festival proper, May 1 and 2.
The Derby
You can’t do this this weekend, but you can sign up for it now and start shopping for your Derby wear! The Mon Health Medical Auxiliary’s Saturday, May 2, event is a fun and fancy Kentucky Derby watch-party fundraiser. This year, it supports Mon Health’s P3—Progressing Through Postpartum—Program.
Kids’ Fishing Rodeo
The annual Kids’ Fishing Rodeo at Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground is the reel deal and a day your family won’t want to miss. Kids 4–15 are invited for a day of free fishing, friendly competition, and fun.
The pond is stocked with trout and ready to welcome the area’s most enthusiastic young anglers for the day. Contests for biggest trout, smallest trout, and most fish caught will keep excitement high as your kids cast, catch, and compete for the win.
Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, and run all day—so grab your gear and let the games begin.
West Virginia Tattoo Expo
Looking for a memory that will last a lifetime? Grab a pal and get inked up at the spring 2026 West Virginia Tattoo Expo.
Doodle tattoos are in right now, and friendship tattoos never go out of style. Want to go a little more hard core? Stop by on Saturday and get a start on your sleeves. Or let your inner competitor out at the tattoo contests. Ladies have the Miss Tattooed West Virginia pageant, while everyone can have weekend-long fun in competitions dedicated to more than 10 types of tattoos, including sleeves, back pieces, and more.
Artists are plentiful, so drop by the Morgantown Event Center April 10–12 to start your tattoo journey. Admission is $20 per day, with discounts available to military personnel and students.
Wetland Amphibian Wonders Walk
Looking for a ribbiting day? Look no further—West Virginia Botanic Garden (WVBG) has the perfect plans for you with its Wetland Amphibian Wonders Walk.
Wind down on a peaceful trek through WVBG’s wetlands while herpetologist Sara Spaid brings the science of the wetland inhabitants to life. Learn about the history, identification, and conservation of amphibian species in this immersive experience.
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