Visit Philippi, WV

08/01/2026

Happy Saturday, everyone… and welcome to Lurch Fest! 💜

Today, Museum Street in Philippi comes alive as we celebrate everyone’s favorite butler from noon until dark!

Whether you’re here for the special guests, live entertainment, unique vendors, great food, or just to soak in the fun atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. If it’s your first Lurch Fest or your tenth, we’re glad you’re here.

Come spend the day with us on Museum Street in Philippi—you rang? We answered! See you at Lurch Fest! 💜

07/27/2026

07/26/2026

🖤💜 Think you’ve got what it takes to out-Lurch Lurch? 💜🖤

The Lurch Fest Costume Contest is calling all creatures, creeps, weirdos, and wonderfully strange folks! Dust off that spooky outfit, channel your inner Addams Family member, or create something so bizarre that even Lurch would raise an eyebrow (if he could).

And who better to judge the madness than WV Cryptid icon Greg Popovich? He’s seen some strange things out there… but has he seen a costume worthy of Lurch Fest glory? There’s only one way to find out! 👀

We’ll be awarding prizes in FOUR delightfully dreadful categories:

🖤 Best Lurch — “You rang?” has never looked so good.
🖤 Best Addams Family — The creepier, the better.
🖤 Best Original Costume — Bring us something we’ve never seen before.
🖤 Best Ted Cassidy — Honor the man who made Lurch legendary.

📍 Sign-ups: 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
🎭 Costume Parade: 5:00 PM
🏆 Winners announced shortly after the parade

Whether you’re scary, silly, spooky, or just threw something together five minutes before arriving… we want to see it. Come strut your stuff and prove you’re the oddest one on Museum Street!

💜 See you at Lurch Fest!

07/20/2026

Lurch Fest is coming!!!

💜 We are less than TWO weeks away from Lurch Fest 2026! 💜

On Saturday, August 1, head to Philippi for a day dedicated to all things Lurch! We’re proud to be the hometown of Ted Cassidy, the actor who brought the original Lurch from The Addams Family to life, and every year we celebrate his legacy in the weirdest and most fun way possible.

From noon until dark, you’ll find over 40 vendors, delicious food trucks, craft beer, live music, contests, unique attractions, and plenty of wonderfully weird fun for the whole family.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just looking for a one-of-a-kind summer event, Lurch Fest is an experience you won’t want to miss.

📍 Philippi, West Virginia
🗓 Saturday, August 1
🕛 Noon until dark

Come find your weird side—we’ll be waiting! 💜

06/07/2026

A close-up of Philippi history.

This simple carving of 1903 on the front of the Barbour County Courthouse marks the year the building was completed. It’s one of those details that thousands of people pass by without noticing—but once you spot it, you’re looking at a piece of history that’s been there for over 120 years.

Philippi is full of hidden details like this. That’s part of what makes exploring our town so much fun.

06/04/2026

Philippi has never been interested in being ordinary. Around here, one weekend you might be stepping aside for a Civil War soldier, the next you're high-fiving a Lurch fan in full costume. Add in mountain bikes flying down the trails and enough flannel to outfit a lumberjack convention, and you've got a pretty good picture of life in Philippi.

And honestly? That's just the way we like it.

We're weird. We're proud of it. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

05/31/2026

What an incredible weekend in Philippi as we celebrated The Blue and Gray!

From start to finish, our community was filled with visitors, reenactors, vendors, musicians, volunteers, and families who came together to make this year’s event one to remember. The energy throughout town was outstanding, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying all that Philippi has to offer.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who attended, participated, volunteered, sponsored, and worked behind the scenes to make the weekend such a success. Events like The Blue and Gray remind us how special our community truly is.

We are already looking forward to next year!

05/31/2026

Today is the grand finale of The Blue and Gray—the reenactment of the first land battle of the Civil War!

Join us at 2:00 PM near the Covered Bridge and witness history come to life as Union forces drive Confederate troops from Philippi during the historic Battle of Philippi, often remembered as the first organized land battle of the Civil War.

This year, we have welcomed one of the largest groups of reenactors we’ve seen in quite some time, making today’s battle reenactment bigger and more authentic than ever. The sights, sounds, and stories of 1861 will unfold right before your eyes as soldiers, civilians, and living historians recreate this pivotal moment in American history.

Bring your family, show your support for our reenactors, and experience the event that has made Philippi known as the birthplace of the Blue and Gray tradition. We look forward to seeing you for an unforgettable afternoon of history, heritage, and community.

05/31/2026

Welcome to Sunday at The Blue and Gray!

There’s still plenty to see and do as we wrap up another incredible weekend in Philippi. The day begins with our 1861 Church Service at 10:00 AM, followed by a Battle Walking Tour at 11:00 AM, where you can learn more about the events that unfolded here in 1861.

Then, at 2:00 PM, don’t miss the reenactment of the First Land Battle of the Civil War. Watch history come to life on the very ground where this pivotal event took place.

Join us for a great day of history, heritage, and remembrance at The Blue and Gray!

05/31/2026

Step back in time and join us today at 11AM for a walking tour of the First Land Battle of the Civil War!

Meet at the front of the courthouse and follow along as we explore the events of June 3, 1861, when Union and Confederate forces clashed in the streets and fields of Philippi. Learn how this historic encounter, often called the “Philippi Races,” became one of the earliest military engagements of the war and helped shape the conflict that would follow.

Our knowledgeable guide will bring history to life with stories of the soldiers, civilians, and key locations that played a role in this pivotal moment in American history.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking to learn more about our community’s unique past, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!

📍 Meet at the front of the courthouse
🕚 11:00 AM

Part of The Blue and Gray weekend festivities.