State’s Best Birthday Cake, Punch Highlight West Virginia Day Celebration

West Virginia’s 160th birthday celebration is set to begin at noon on Tuesday, June 20 at the Culture Center on the State Capitol campus.

The first 160 people to arrive will receive a limited edition commemorative gift handmade by artisans with the Black Locust Woodshop in Charleston.

Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will greet guests, followed by special performances by West Virginia musicians. 

They will announce the winner of the West Virginia Birthday Punch Contest, for the best original (non-alcoholic) punch recipe, with the winning recipe being served at the celebration. 

The official birthday cake of West Virginia, “Ms. Van’s Blackberry Skillet Cake” by Kim Wymer of Scott Depot, will be served at the reception. 

The day will also feature a Golden Horseshoe reunion, open to all former recipients of the Golden Horseshoe award in recognition of their knowledge of West Virginia history. 

At 2 p.m. the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will host the 2nd annual History Bowl Legends Tournament, where past participants come together as All-Star teams to compete for bragging rights.

How To Watch:

For those unable to attend in-person, the West Virginia Day ceremonies will be broadcast live on the West Virginia Channel.

To find your station, click here (use column labeled “WV Channel”).

The ceremonies will also be live streamed online. All West Virginians are encouraged to watch on the following platforms:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• Facebook