O
ne local resource group has scheduled a free family supply giveaway, and West Virginia State University is planning its first community Fall Fest celebration. Here’s the 411 from communities around the region, including St. Albans, Institute and Charleston.
BLESS YOU DAY: Community Bridge, an outreach program that helps families and children in need, will host a “Bless You Day” event Saturday, Sept. 27, in St. Albans. The free giveaway is open to all. Organizers will provide clothing, shoes, kids’ items, household goods, miscellaneous items and lunch. Guests are asked to bring their own bags and boxes to transport items. Bless You Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the back parking lot of King’s River Worship Center, 777 Mallory Lane in St. Albans. More information is available on Facebook.
FALL FEST: West Virginia State University will host its first Yellow Jackets Fall Fest on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. on its Institute campus. The free, family-friendly event will feature inflatables, candy, activities, a photo area, live DJ music, a costume contest and more. It is open to WVSU students, faculty, staff and the public. Community clubs, organizations and local employers may register for a table to engage with attendees and distribute candy to trick-or-treaters. Each table will receive a starter supply of candy, but groups are asked to bring enough to serve at least 500 children. More details and a registration form are available online.
WITCHY WEEKEND: Halloween may be in October, but local witch-themed celebrations will continue into November in parts of the valley. The Charleston Area Witchy Weekend 2025, a pan-pagan event open to people of any or no religion or spirituality, will take place Nov. 7-8 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd. W. The two-day event, themed “Betwixt and Between,” will feature ceremonies, rituals, live music, dance, workshops, a psychic fair, children’s activities, artisans, costume contests and more. A Witches’ Ball will run Nov. 7 from 5 to 10 p.m., and a Psychic Faire will run Nov. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. Katelyn Dawn, host of “That Pennsylvanian Witch” podcast, will serve as keynote speaker and teacher. Admission is $10 at the door for one or both days, with free entry for children 10 and under. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food or clothing donations for the Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church pantry and closet to receive raffle tickets. More information is available on Facebook.
