daily304 - Episode 09.08.2023

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Friday, Sept. 8 

The Hatfield and McCoy Trail system partners with Kanawha County to create 36 miles of dirt bike trails in St. Albans…the West Virginia State Wildlife Center holds a special celebration for its 100th birthday…and (train whistle) all aboard…for Hinton Railroad Days!...on today’s Daily304.

#1 – From METRO NEWS – The Kanawha County Commission has partnered up with Hatfield and McCoy and the Kanawha County Parks and Recreation to create 600 acres of the new trail system at Meadowood Park in St. Albans.

“This is something that Kanawha County has been looking forward to for a very long time,” said Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler. “For years we have thought about the impact of bringing Hatfield and McCoy to Kanawha County and what that would do.”

The trail system would contain up to 36 miles of single-track dirt bike and electric bike space with much of it also being flat enough for regular bikes to ride on, as well. 

The Hatfield and McCoy off-highway Trails make up over 1,000 miles of terrain throughout the mountains of Southern West Virginia, and Wheeler said they wanted Kanawha County to reap some of the benefits the Hatfield and McCoy trail system has brought to other areas.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/30/hatfield-and-mccoy-trails-to-bring-600-acres-of-new-off-road-bike-trails-to-kanawha-county/

#2 – From WVDNR – Nature enthusiasts and families, mark your calendars for September 16 as we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 100th anniversary of the West Virginia State Wildlife Center! 

Operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Center has been a sanctuary for native wildlife and a hub for educational experiences. Join us for a day of festivities, including free birthday cake, live music, and a meet-and-greet with the center’s famous weather prognosticator, French Creek Freddie.

In addition to exhibits, there is a large wooded picnic area with grills and a shelter. Look for waterfowl or fish for trout, bass, catfish and bluegill in the well-stocked pond below the picnic area. And the gift shop is available to satisfy your souvenir and refreshment needs. 

Read more:

https://wvdnr.gov/wv-wildlife-center-turns-100-celebrate-sept-16/

#3 – From LOOT PRESS – Mark your calendars for Oct. 13-15, when Hinton Railroad Days returns for another year to celebrate 150 years of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway.

The festival, which takes place in downtown Hinton in the New River Gorge, will feature a wide array of food trucks, vendors, music, a kid zone, a car show, and a beer garden.

The Hinton Railroad Museum will also be open during the festival and features a plethora of history on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, which Hinton played a major part in.

Another cool thing with this year’s festival is that on Friday and Sunday, one could ride a train directly to Hinton and ride it back home the same day. The Amtrak Cardinal runs on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays twice a day through the New River Gorge.

Read more:

https://www.lootpress.com/ride-a-train-to-hinton-railroad-days-festival-through-new-river-gorge-national-park/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

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That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.