Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Monday, March 3, 2025. A massive trail project is transforming North Central WV into a premier destination for gravel biking…celebrate spring’s arrival with a visit to a West Virginia state park…and FestivALL returns to Charleston on May 28, featuring visual arts, theater, music and more…on today’s daily304. #1 – From WV NEWS – Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced the launch of Mountaineer Gravel, a project aimed at transforming North Central West Virginia into a premier destination for gravel cycling and outdoor adventure. Spearheaded by VMC in collaboration with experts such as David Landis, owner of Village-to-Village Trails, and West Virginia University’s Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, the project consists of 28 existing world-class mixed-surface cycling routes spanning more than 1,000 miles of public property. The trails, ranging from five to 75 miles, feature a variety of terrains and significant elevation. The routes are designed to offer a mixture of gravel roads, dirt trails and primitive roads, capturing the natural beauty of Appalachia while also creating new economic opportunities for local communities. Seven regional hubs, including Morgantown, Rowlesburg and Grafton, serve as starting points, offering key services such as lodging, dining and local attractions. Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/visit-mountaineer-country-s-mountaineer-gravel-project-aims-to-boost-outdoor-tourism-in-north-central/article_94cbbc38-ea51-11ef-9d82-d351fc5094bf.html #2 – From WV STATE PARKS – Beat the winter blues and start planning a spring trip to Almost Heaven! Home to fresh mountain air, jaw-dropping views and heart-pumping adventures, a visit to a West Virginia state park is sure to provide the serotonin you need. Known for its stunning scenic overlook, Hawks Nest State Park makes the perfect spot to witness the bliss of spring come to life. Spend your days hiking flora-lined trails, exploring rushing waterfalls or casting a line in the New River Gorge. An oasis for a family-friendly adventure, Pipestem Resort State Park offers a multitude of energizing activities. From ziplining through the treetops and majestic horseback rides to championship golf and an adventure zone packed with fun, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Head over to wvstateparks.com to check out other amazing parks to visit this spring and book your lodging online! Learn more: https://wvstateparks.com/dreaming-of-spring-these-4-parks-are-the-best-for-sunny-getaways/ #3 – From METRO NEWS – Charleston’s popular festival celebrating the arts is set to return to the Capital City again with a jam-packed five day schedule full of music, theater, dance and more. FestivALL Charleston will now embark on its 21st year with a pared-back schedule of events starting on May 28 to June 1. All of the flagship events that have been a part of FestivALL since its inception will continue to be a mainstay in this year’s multi-arts festival. Attendees can still look forward to events such as the Three Things speaker series, the two-day Capitol Street Art Fair and Children’s Art Fair, Art-for-ALL, the Carriage Trail Walk and more. As one of the most popular events, the Capitol Street Art Fair features street performers, live music and other entertainment on stages along Capitol Street. Visit festivallcharleston.com for schedule updates or information on how to become a sponsor. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2025/02/16/festivall-to-return-to-capital-city-with-pared-back-schedule-of-events/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
