The Autumn Harvest Festival & Roadkill Cookoff combines food and fun, camaraderie and community, heritage and humor.
As the warm days and crisp autumn nights settle over the Mountain State, the annual Autumn Harvest Festival & Roadkill Cookoff transforms the small town of Marlinton into a bustling bazaar. Held every last full weekend of September, this unique event attracts foodies and culinary adventurers from near and far.
Marlinton’s picturesque main street transforms itself into a folksy craft vendor central with an all-day soundtrack of string bands and mountain music. Here you can find the perfect unique fall decorations for your front porch to ring in the harvest season and revel in some warm West Virginia hospitality.
At the heart of the Autumn Harvest Festival is the Roadkill Cookoff, a beloved and eccentric culinary competition that puts a playful twist on traditional cooking contests. Participants from across the country gather to showcase their skills, preparing dishes using what some might consider unconventional ingredients. From venison and squirrel to bear and wild turkey, the cookoff embraces a wide range of wild game and transforms it into gourmet fare. Judges, including local celebrities and culinary experts, sample these inventive creations and award prizes for the most delicious, creative, and downright daring dishes.
Also back for its 8th year is the Annual Hudson Cream West Virginia Biscuit Bake-Off. Prizes of ribbons, cash, and gift baskets will be awarded for Categories 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place for the Traditional Country Biscuit, in both Premier and Youth Baker categories, and for People’s Choice, with both sweet and savory entries for public sampling and vote.
But the Roadkill Cookoff is not just about the food. It’s about setting out to find that autumn feeling that only happens once a year—that gorgeous Saturday with great food, great music, and great people gathered at that great little festival tucked away in the mountains—and that nostalgic feeling for the festival’s sense of community and camaraderie as the day draws to a close. Whether you’re a foodie with a sense of adventure or simply looking to enjoy a day of family fun, this festival offers a memorable experience filled with laughter, creativity, and an authentic sense of local pride.
So, mark your cookoff calendar and take your tastebuds to Marlinton for the weekend on September 27 and 28. The Autumn Harvest Festival & Roadkill Cookoff is waiting to welcome you with open arms and a plateful of culinary surprises. But wait, there’s more! Rounding off Saturday evening, experience the amazing acoustics of the Pocahontas County Opera House as Kindred Valley, an americana/folk band from Huntington performs at 7 p.m.
Sunday morning, a pretty 20-minute drive away at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, is the annual Cranberry Shindig featuring traditional artisans and demonstrations, live music, and more tasty food set against the autumn leaves of the Mon National Forest.
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