Published: June 25, 2008 09:37 pm         

Destinations, events recognized

West Virginia has been recognized in several outstanding tourism categories, including several events in the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events and the top national park in Outdoor Life magazine’s top 12 national parks.

The New River Gorge was named the top national park by Outdoor Life. It was called “an overlooked gem.”

The magazine also listed Beckley and Huntington in its Top 200 Towns for Outdoorsman. Beckley was rated 177th, while Huntington came in at 160th.

The magazine reported Beckley offers six huntable species and four fishable species. Also, on a 1-to-10 scale, with 10 being the best, the magazine gave Beckley a 5 for trophy potential, 4.6 on year-round opportunities, 5 for public land access and a 9 on gun laws.

The Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events included four from West Virginia.

The 17th annual Fire on the Mountain Chili Cook-Off set for July 11-12 at Snowshoe made the list. The event features more than 100 cooks who compete for cash and prizes in a regional cook-off sanctioned by the governor and International Chili Society.

“It is spiced with family events and entertainment,” the magazine said.

The State Fair, set for Aug. 8-16 in Fairlea, made the list.

“Nearly 200,000 attend this fabulous event for non-stop adventure that includes headliner entertainment, agricultural exhibits, arts events, carnival rides, games and scholarships for students,” the magazine said.

The Blues, Brews and BBQ event Aug. 15-17 at Snowshoe was listed.

The final listing was the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, scheduled Aug. 29-31 in Clarksburg.

— Fred Pace