The 47th Vandalia Gathering saw thousands of folks from the tristate area moseying across the Capital Grounds and do-si-do-eing their corner on the dance floor last Memorial Day weekend as they have each year since 1977 (except for 2020). Over thirty talented artisans filled the green space while competitions for old-time and bluegrass banjo, fiddle, mandolin, flat-pick guitar, dulcimer, and storytelling happened all around. Most notably, the square dancing moved indoors to the great hall, a most welcome change of temperature for our dancers. Our state is lucky to have some great square dance callers who are willing to travel to call squares and share their knowledge with others. Stop by the great hall of the Culture Center next year and dance a set to the calling of Mack Samples, Lou Maiuri, Taylor Runner, Tony Minney, or Steve Ballman. There is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy at Vandalia. Visitors can wait in the weaving food vendor lines for some roasted corn, Italian sausage, snow cones, or freshly baked cobbler! The 2025 Vandalia Gathering is set to take place May 23-25 on the Capitol Grounds in Charleston. –ed.
2024 Vandalia Gathering Contest Winners
Youth Old-Time Fiddle
1st place – Liam Farley, Chapmanville
2nd place – Nate Atkinson, Hurricane
3rd place – Jo Butterworth, Hurricane
Old-Time Fiddle
1st place – Tessa McCoy, Greenville
2nd place – Jake Krack, Marlinton
3rd place – Jesse Milnes, Elkins
4th place – Chance McCoy, Greenville
5th place – Emily Miller, Elkins
Senior Old-Time Fiddle
1st place – Jenny Allinder, Point Pleasant
2nd place – Dan Kessinger, St. Marys
3rd place – Gerry Milnes, Elkins
4th place – Bob Smakula, Montrose
5th place – John Longwell, Gandeeville
Old-Time Banjo
1st place – Trevor Hammons, Marlinton
2nd place – Chance McCoy, Greenville
3rd place – Ryan Brandenburg, Oak Hill
4th place – Pete Kosky, Charleston
5th place – Tessa McCoy, Greenville
Senior Old-Time Banjo
1st place – Gerry Milnes, Elkins
2nd place – Jim Mullins, St. Albans
3rd place – Jay Lockman, Green Bank
4th place – Paul Gartner, Yawkey
5th place – John Morris, Ivydale
Bluegrass Banjo (all ages)
1st place – Brandon Green, Beckley
2nd place – Logan Hoy, Belle
3rd place – Brian “Buck” Minor, Bridgeport
4th place – Carter Eddy, Parkersburg
5th place – Emmett Carper, West Union
Mandolin (all ages)
1st place – Sawyer Chapman, Charleston
2nd place – Tristan Dennis, Morgantown
3rd place – Ezekiel Green, Beckley
4th place – Dan Kessinger, St. Marys
5th place – Robin Kessinger, St. Albans
Lap Dulcimer (all ages)
1st place – Helena Lee, Cross Lanes
2nd place – Janie Miles, Pliny
3rd place – Jim Probst, Hamlin
4th place – Melissa Dennison, Frametown
Flat-pick Guitar (all ages)
1st place – Robin Kessinger, St. Albans
2nd place – Jakob Thomas, South Charleston
3rd place – Dan Kessinger, St. Marys
4th place – DJ Kessinger, Charles Town
5th place – Lucas Nichols, Charleston
“Vandalia Time!.” Goldenseal West Virginia Traditional Life, Spring 2025. https://goldenseal.wvculture.org/vandalia-time/
