Overview
Discover a West Virginia county with an Italian-Appalachian holiday flair. Marion County, West Virginia is an Italian-American epicenter beloved by locals yet virtually unknown to Italians and Americans alike.
History
Italians immigrated to Fairmont, West Virginia because it reminded them of home. When they got here, they went into the coal mines, powering the nation with coal and powering West Virginians with their ingenious creation: the pepperoni roll.
Today
Most of Fairmont and much of Marion County is of Italian descent, with many of the locals having had parents, grandparents or great-grandparents who worked in the coal mines. Coal mines are harder to come by these days, but Italians aren’t and neither is the pepperoni roll. (We’ll share. Find the simple but mouth-watering food on the WV Pepperoni Roll Trail.)
Today, the children, grandchildren and great-children of those Italian immigrants help to spark a month-long holiday celebration with Italian and holiday activities.
Events
Market in the Park
The holiday season kicks off with Market in the Park, where folks from all over can see hundreds of Christmas light displays. This one day only, you can also enjoy an open air strip of local artisans, bakers and makers all in the park surrounded by beautiful lights.
Where: Shuttle: East Fairmont High School, 1993 Airport Road, Fairmont; East Marion Park, 35 City View Terrace, Fairmont
When: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 21
Cost: $5/person
Details: Celebration of Lights
Celebration of Lights
You can enjoy those 500+ Christmas lights through the end of November and throughout all of December. The 1.3 mile loop at Morris Park glows bright every night and sees thousands of cars. Drive through the lights with a perfectly curated Spotify Christmas playlist, a seasonal drink and family and friends. Drive through nights are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The cost is $10 per car and $30 per bus. (Turn your headlights off!)
Wednesdays, however, are for the walkers. Park at Fairmont Federal Credit Union and wait for the shuttle to take you to the Celebration of Lights. Pay at the gate, buy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and walk with your family and friends through hundreds of holiday lights. At the end of the loop, you’ll be back at the beginning where the shuttle will pick you up. Cost is $5 per person.
Special events are planned for Tuesday evenings.
The Celebration of Lights is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where: Walker Wednesdays: Fairmont Federal Credit Union, 2 The Credit Union Way, Fairmont
Drivers nights: Morris Park, 1 Morris Park Pleasant Valley, WV 26554
When: Nov. 22 – Dec. 29; Get the schedule
Cost: $5-$30
Details: Celebration of Lights
Christmas Light Show
After creating an annual Christmas light show at their house for six years, the Lenhart family is bringing the festivities downtown for the inaugural Christmas Village and Light Show. The village will be built on the prominent greenspace in downtown, in front of the courthouse, with custom models of local businesses built by local university students. The entire scene will feature Christmas lights synced with music. The event is free, but donations to the local United Way are encouraged. The event begins Nov. 29 in conjunction with the Tree Lighting.
Where: Downtown Fairmont
When: Nov. 28 – Dec. 31
Cost: Free – Donations welcome
Details: Main Street Fairmont
Pricketts Fort Christmas Candlelight tours
Bundle up for a colonial Christmas. Pricketts Fort State Park hosts tours of and demonstrations at the Fort and Job Prickett House just four times throughout the month of December. Two Christmas Candlelight tours and three day-time Christmas tours allow you to experience how the settlers celebrated their traditions and how they maintained the fort and home for the wintry weather.
Check out our Complete Guide to Pricketts Fort State Park to prepare for your visit.
Where: Pricketts Fort State Park, 88 State Park Rd, Fairmont
When: Nov. 28, 29; Dec. 4, 5, 6
Cost: $8
Details: Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation
Glow Bowl
The Celebration of Lights stays up throughout the holiday season for drivers, walkers – and disc golfers! Play your way through the Seth Burton Memorial and Orange Crush Disc Golf Courses using the holiday lights to guide your throws.
Where: Morris Park, 1 Morris Park Pleasant Valley, WV 26554
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, TBD
Cost: $25
Details: Celebration of Lights
Reindeer Run 5K
Sign up for the annual Reindeer Run and dash your way through the Celebration of Lights. (Walkers are also welcome.) It’s one of the most beautiful holiday and running experiences you can have. Take the shuttle to the park!
Where: Fairmont Federal Credit Union (2 The Credit Union Way, Fairmont, WV)
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8
Cost: $30
Details: Celebration of Lights
Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival
This is the Italian American event of the holiday season! The Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival is an inclusive weekend where snuffies (defined as non-Italian people) can join in the tradition of eating fish, frittis and wine.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes (Esta dei Sette Pesci) is an Italian-Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on holy days, including Christmas Eve. Why seven fish specifically? It might be a representation of the seven holy sacraments of the Catholic Church – or not. Some families have more than seven kinds and some have fewer. Common types of fish eaten in the feast include baccala (salted Cod), clams, whiting, calamari, eel and many other seafood delectables.
During the Festival, Monroe Street in downtown Fairmont is filled with vendors serving delicious foods, like fish, frittis, kettlecorn, wine and more. Because it doesn’t take place on Christmas Eve, we don’t keep the Christmas Eve rules of only fish; there are also pepperoni rolls and Italian sausage.
There will be plenty of tables and chairs located in the firehouse and heaters dispersed throughout the area to keep warm.
The Gatherings, a historic church located downtown, hosts music and tours.
Where: Monroe St., Fairmont
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12
Cost: Free
Details: Main Street Fairmont
Hometown Christmas Market
In conjunction with the Festival, the Hometown Market takes place across the street, turning the Feast into an eating and shopping festival. Peruse the long tent halls of cookies, candy, cakes, books, toys and so much more. Get all your holiday shopping done here!
Where: Monroe St., Fairmont
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12
Cost: Free
Details: Main Street Fairmont
Festival Cucina
On the first night of the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival, Festival Cucina allows you to experience the real thing. Watch and learn as Italians prepare seven fish dishes (and dessert) right in front of your eyes. Taste test each recipe alongside plenty of wine and jokes. Grab your tickets before they sell out.
Where: Fairmont State University Falcon Center Cafeteria, 1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 11
Cost: $50
Details: Main Street Fairmont
The Great Pepperoni Roll Drop
End the new year the Italian-Appalachian way. It’s a newer tradition (seven years old to be exact), but pepperoni rolls have never failed us yet. Come out to Mannington on New Year’s Eve to play pepperoni roll themed games, eat pepperoni rolls and pepperoni roll themed foods, listen to good music and wait. At the countdown to midnight, cue Country Roads and a giant pepperoni roll lowering from the sky. It’s a sight to behold and an experience you’ll never forget.
While you’re here, download the WV Pepperoni Roll Trail app, and grab your 30 points at The Great Pepperoni Roll Drop! Stop by our bakeries for more pepperoni rolls and more points to get pepperoni roll swag.
Where: Wintergarden Park, 100 Water St, Mannington
When: 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 31 – Jan. 1
Cost: Free
Details: Mannington Main Street
Where to stay
Make Marion your Christmas Getaway. Find a cozy stay at one of our hotels, Airbnbs or RV sites.
The Fairfield Inn and Suites is running a discount for visitors who book to stay for any of the holiday events throughout December (including the Great Pepperoni Roll Drop). Book under the Marion County Chamber rate for a 20% discount!
The Great Pepperoni Roll Drop is a late night event, ending after midnight. Stay at one of our hotels (all are 28-30 minutes away from the drop).
