CHARLESTON, W. Va.–There’s another roadblock for the annual Vandalia Festival at the state capitol but there appears to be enough time to find out a solution.
It was announced last week that the popular three-day festival at the state capitol grounds highlighting the state’s heritage won’t be happening for a second straight year because of the ongoing pandemic but a one-day event is scheduled.
“This year we’re doing the Quilt Competition again and we’re going to do an afternoon concert outside,” curator for the state Department of Arts, Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith said. “We’ll announce the Vandalia winners and we’ll bring back all of our favorite groups from Vandalia. So we’ll have a big concert.”
Organizers originally announced the May 29 concert would be held on the state capitol’s north steps but those steps were roped off last week because of some structural issues. An underneath section of the steps fell into a state office injuring a worker. An engineer will be brought in to review the structural integrity.
Reid-Smith said they’re looking at other locations on the capitol grounds to hold the concert.
“Let’s just say it’s very fluid. We’re working on it,” he said. “We’re waiting to see if we’re going to do it there (capitol steps) or on the Plaza Deck.”
Gov. Jim Justice announced late last month that fairs and festivals could begin again on May 1 with the proper COVID-19 protocols in place. Smith said they have all intentions of returning Vandalia to a three-day festival in 2022. But for now organizers are planning for the best possible one-day event.
“We’re very excited and people are excited to have their fairs and festivals because we didn’t get to have them last year,” Reid-Smith said.