Out & About

There’s No Place Like Back Home

NEW MARTINSVILLE -- Great live music and West Virginia-style hometown welcome will be in store this weekend as the Back Home Festival returns to New Martinsville.

Kicking off today, Friday, June 28, and continuing through Sunday night, June 30, the annual event has grown into one of the most popular annual music and arts festivals in the region. In fact, it was named 'Best Festival in West Virginia" two years running by WV Living Magazine.

Fan favorites and big newcomers are featured among this year's musical acts, which include mandolin master Sierra Hull, reggae legends The Wailers (Bob Marley's band), Big Brother & the Holding Company (Janis Joplin's band), Keller Williams with Keller's Grateful Grass, the Davisson Brothers Band, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Mama Said String Band, John Welton & the Awakening, Shapes, Oyo, Ezra Hamilton, Zuffalo, Option22, Ananga Martin, Bucket of Puppies, Sara Hulse Band, The Pussyfooters, Justin Bucher and more.

The festival takes place on the outdoor stages just south of West Virginia Norther Community College building. Select performances are on tap in the historic Lincoln Theatre, including a special presentation of Dark Side of the Rainbow -- featuring a live performance of Pink Floyd's classic "Dark Side of the Moon" in sync with the iconic motion picture "The Wizard of Oz."

Back Home Festival features an array of food and beverage vendors, as well as many merchandise, craft and artisan vendors selling wares along Main Street.

Free primitive camping is available at the nearby New Martinsville Marina. Shuttles will be available, and additional camping for RVs and more will be available at the Wetzel County 4H Camp. Shuttles will transport guests to and from the festival grounds and local hotels, as well as the campgrounds.

Tickets to the Back Home Festival are only $10 per day and $25 for the entire weekend, which ends with a bang Sunday night with a fireworks display. Select performances at the Lincoln Theater will have an additional price of admission.

While in New Martinsville, visitors are encouraged to explore the town, check out local restaurants and businesses, and stop by the local parks. The New Martinsville Parks & Recreation Department is offering $1 Day on Saturday for festival goers visiting the parks for swimming, miniature golf, paddle boating and more -- each for only $1.

The Wetzel County Convention and Visitors Bureau and its fellow sponsors invite all music lovers to come check out why Back Home is an award-winning festival.

For additional information, visit online at www.backhomefestival.com and follow the festival's official pages on social media for the latest updates.