Out-An-About in Pocahontas County During the holidays and in the New Year

Cara Rose of the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau touches base with us during this holiday season to let us know about some upcoming events in the county.

“This is Christmas week, the next couple of weeks are a busy time for tourism,” said Rose. “This is what I like to refer to as our ‘tourism industry black Friday of nature,’ mainly because these two weeks during the holiday period really sets the tone for the success of our winter travel season. Now that we had some snow in the air and cold weather is returning, we should have a fabulous holiday season at snowshoe Mountain Resort, which ultimately impacts our county positively. So, we will have a lot of visitors coming through, so greet our visitors with a smile and welcome them to Pocahontas County and Nature’s Mountain Playground.”

“We do have a couple of events coming up after the holiday season. The first event is on January 12^th, Thursday evening in Marlinton at the Marlinton Municipal Auditorium at 5:30 (pm.) It’s ‘Dine and Dish” on agrotourism, with Adam and Rachial Taylor. They attended the International Agrotourism Conference in September. So, they are sharing with our community some of the information that they gathered and things that they learned about growing agrotourism in our community. Along with them, Maggie Parsons from the Department of Agriculture will be joining, and also Dr. Dean Knight, who works at West Virginia University in the Agrotourism Department. And both of those presenters will be sharing the different programs that are available, information about agrotourism and information about how to diversify your farm revenues. So, plan to attend in person. ‘Dine’ means bring a dish -covered dish and ‘dish’ means sharing information. So, again, that will be on Thursday, January 12^th at 5:30 in the Marlinton Municipal Auditorium. We will have a Zoom link available. It will be in the Pocahontas Times, but if you don’t get the Times, you are welcome to call the Visitors Center here in Marlinton and I’ll give you that Zoom link.”

“West Virginia tourism Day at the Legislature is on January 23^rd. that’s a day where the tourism industry visits the capital. We share with our legislators information and the value of tourism to our economy here in West Virginia. If anyone is interested in learning more about that event or would like to attend along with the Visitors Bureau, feel free to give me a call and I will provide all the information you need to know.”

Cara, how about New Years Eve. Is there anything going on in the area?

“Yeah, of course, New Years Eve is right around the corner right after the Christmas holiday, and there are a few events going on around the community. I know the Locust Hill Inn is having a New Year’s Eve party, so if you are interested in getting out here in Marlinton, give them a call. You can make reservations there. Of course, always something going on at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. I’m sure at the Mountain Tavern and at the Marlinton Motor Inn as well, there will be some fun for New Years Eve, if you are looking for an outing.”

“Well, we have a lot to be thankful for during the holiday season, and lots of things to be joyful

for. I would like to wish all the listeners a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year on behalf of the Pocahontas Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Board of Directors and staff. I for one am very thankful for where I live; I am very thankful for the people I work with and the tourism industry that I work for. So happy holidays, and see you in 2023.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Cara, and to all of our listeners as well.