Vandalia Time!

Laiken Blankenship

9 months ago

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.

From left to right Jake Krack, Tessa McCoy, Chance McCoy, Emily Miller, and Jesse Milnes are all smiles as they pose with their award ribbons from the old-time fiddle contest. Competitors must play two tunes for the judge’s consideration. All Photos by Steve Brightwell.

Folks often find a shady spot under the beautiful towering trees scattered across the capitol grounds to set up for a jam session.

The Green Room of the Culture Center is like a family reunion each year as friends and musicians catch up. Ginny Hawker, Nick Blake, and Kim Johnson have a chat in between warming up for their performances at the Friday evening concert.

The Mack Samples Band takes advantage of the photo backdrop located outside the Green Room before they perform on stage at the Saturday evening concert. From left to right: David O’Dell, Mack Samples, Grayson Samples, John Preston, and Buddy Griffin.

Dakota Karper competes in the 2024 fiddle contest.

Mike Miller and Gerry Milnes, of Elkins, preparing for the old-time fiddle contest.

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

Another Jam Session underway at the 2024 Vandalia Gathering.

The winners of the 2024 flat-pick guitar competition cool off after some hot picking! From left to right: Dan Kessinger, DJ Kessinger, Robin Kessinger, Lucas Nichols, and Jakob Thomas.

*Lady D, West Virginia’s own First Lady of Soul, performs during the 2024 Saturday evening concert at Vandalia.*

Angie Richardson entertains the crowd with her skilled singing and piano performance during the Friday evening concert at the 2024 Vandalia Gathering. Angie also performs a Gospel set outdoors on Sunday morning of the Festival.

Ginny Hawker, the 2024 Vandalia Award Winner, sings from her “little black book” of Primitive Baptist songs. As her strong voice filled the hushed theater, it was obvious why she received the state’s highest folklife honor.

Citation:
"Vandalia Time!." Goldenseal West Virginia Traditional Life, Spring 2025. https://goldenseal.wvculture.org/vandalia-time/