On June 20, 1863, West Virginia separated from Virginia and was admitted into the Union during the Civil War.
Morgantown said “Happy Birthday” to the Mountain State Saturday, celebrating its 156th year of statehood.
Entertainment was provided by PopShop, a nonprofit that offers lessons to kids. Local businesses lined the street in tents, including Tin 202, Zul’s Frozen Lemonade and Morgantown Brewing Company. The Avian Conservation Center also had a tent offering outreach about birds.
Shaun Phillips, brewer at Big Timber Brewing Company in Elkins was enjoying a beer near the brewery’s tent. He said he thinks it’s important to stay true to one’s roots, adding that all the breweries in the state should work together to make West Virginia brewing better.
Phillips said he thinks West Virginia craft beer is often under-appreciated. Eight years ago, there were about five breweries in the state — now there are more than 20.
Phillips became a West Virginian a year ago. Hailing from Pennsylvania near the mountains, he said it’s similar to home. He attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and currently lives in Buckhannon.
“It’s the home among the hills and it’s kind of like how it felt and why we stayed,” he said. “It felt like the family atmosphere was more important in this state than other places,” he said.
Stephanie Swaim, owner of Hoot and Howl on Walnut Street, is always promoting local swag. Her tent featured a variety of West Virginia-themed items, including T-shirts, stickers, a stuffed Mothman and other fare by West Virginia artists.
She also had Mountaineer Popcorn made specially for the occasion.
“We have the birthday one with the blue and gold sprinkles and the West Virginia local honey pecan,” she said.
Swaim, who originally started her business in Virginia, said she thinks West Virginia is awesome.
“We have such a good community of people. Everybody here is really wonderful. Basically they’ll give you the shirt of their back,” she said.
The best part about being able to participate in West Virginia’s birthday party, she said, is having an opportunity to share the love and pride she has for the state. Her favorite thing about it? It’s natural beauty.
Her birthday wish for West Virginia is to keep being amazing.
“I would say, ‘Happy birthday. Thank you for all the beautiful scenic views that you give us. We all appreciate it so much. It is almost heaven, right?”
