Fairmont
Around Fairmont
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Town and around · West Virginia · 55k people
Fairmont
Locals say North Central West Virginia · “The Friendly City”
Where the hills hold the warmth of home.
Fairmont State University maroonDeep Appalachian forest greenGlass furnace gold
Welcome to Fairmont, where the rivers meet and the hills are friendly. Whether you're grabbing a pepperoni roll or watching the leaves turn, you'll find a warm community here. Come on in and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Fairmont
No clubs for Fairmont yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Fairmont. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fairmont. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Pricketts Fort State Park Reconstructed 18th-century fort and visitor center
- Valley Falls State Park Waterfalls, hiking trails, and picnic areas
- Fairmont State University Public university with historic buildings and cultural events
- Marion County Courthouse Historic government building in downtown Fairmont
- Tygart River River running through town, popular for fishing and kayaking
- West Virginia Folklife Center Cultural center on the Fairmont State campus
- Outdoors Hiking at Valley Falls State Park
- Outdoors Fishing in the Tygart River
- With kids Visit Pricketts Fort living history
- With kids Explore Valley Falls State Park
- Evenings Bars and pubs near Fairmont State University
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Locals love Small-town diners and bakeries
- Locals love Historic glass factories
Through the year
Four distinct seasons with humid summers and cold winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temperatures and colorful foliage.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- A small valley or hollow between hills
- “crick”
- A creek or small stream
- “pop”
- A carbonated beverage, soda
- “Eers”
- Short for 'Mountaineer', referring to West Virginia University or its fans
Getaways
- Morgantown WVU campus and nightlife
- Clarksburg historic downtown and wineries
- Elkins mountain scenery and rail trails
- Wheeling riverfront and casino
Local flavour
Rooting for West Virginia University Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls The state food of West Virginia, invented in the nearby coal fields.
- Slaw dogs Hot dogs topped with coleslaw, a local staple.
- Italian sausage Common in local diners and at community events.
Where people go
- Historic glass factories Fairmont was once a major glass-making hub.
- Coal mining towns and tipples
- Pricketts Fort A historic fort and living-history site.
- Small-town diners and bakeries Community gathering spots serving local fare.
Heritage and traditions
Fairmont is proud of its rich coal mining and Italian immigrant heritage, celebrated through the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival and the memory of the Monongah mining disaster.
This time of year in Fairmont
- Fall foliage drives October The hills explode with color in October; locals take scenic drives.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to (do something)
Festivals
- West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival August The state's largest Italian festival, featuring food, music, and a grape stomp.
- Pricketts Fort 18th Century Market Fair June or July Living history event with reenactors, crafts, and colonial-era trades.
- Fairmont First Fridays First Friday of each month Monthly downtown art walk with local vendors, music, and food.
- Fairmont Christmas Stroll December Holiday parade and downtown lighting ceremony with carols.
Landmarks with a story
- Barrackville Covered Bridge One of the last remaining covered bridges in West Virginia, built in 1853.
- Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial Commemorates the 1907 disaster, the worst mining accident in U.S. history, with a memorial park.
- Marion County Historical Museum Housed in a historic building, it showcases local coal, glass, and Italian heritage.
Food traditions
- Sunday gravy (tomato sauce) with meatballs Italian immigrant families pass down recipes for slow-cooked sauce served over pasta.
- Pizzelle cookies at Christmas Anise-flavored waffle cookies made with a special iron, a staple in Italian-American households.
- Ramp dinners in spring Foraged wild leeks are celebrated in community dinners, a tradition from Appalachian mountain culture.
- Fish fries during Lent Catholic churches host Friday fish fries, often serving fried cod and hush puppies.
- Coal camp biscuits and gravy Hearty breakfast from mining towns, with homemade biscuits smothered in sausage gravy.
Music and arts
- Old-time and bluegrass music Live string band music is common at local festivals and jam sessions.
- Italian folk music Tarantellas and mandolin tunes are featured at the Italian Heritage Festival.
- Folk art and quilting Appalachian crafts like quilting and woodcarving are preserved at the West Virginia Folklife Center.
A little history
- 1907 Monongah mining disaster
- 1820 Founding of Fairmont
- 1861–1868 Francis Pierpont served as governor of the Restored Government of Virginia, helping create West Virginia
- Late 19th century Growth of the glass industry
- Early 20th century Large wave of Italian immigration
Rivalries
- Fairmont Senior High vs East Fairmont High Local high school football rivalry
- Fairmont State vs West Virginia Wesleyan College sports rivalry
- Game day Friday Night Lights
- Game day Fairmont State Falcons athletics
- Outdoors Hunting in the fall
- Outdoors Camping at Valley Falls State Park
- With kids Visiting the Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial
- With kids Taking photos at the Barrackville Covered Bridge
Locals speak with a Southern-influenced Appalachian accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The speech is warm and unhurried, with a distinct twang.
Only here
- The Monongah mining disaster is the worst in U.S. history, with over 360 miners killed.
- The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival is the largest in the state.
- The pepperoni roll is said to have been invented in Fairmont by an Italian baker.
- The Barrackville Covered Bridge is one of the last remaining covered bridges in West Virginia.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers—layering is key.
- Try a pepperoni roll from a local bakery; it's a West Virginia staple.
- Learn about the Monongah mining disaster to understand the area's deep coal heritage.
- Attend the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in August for a true taste of local pride.
- Use 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'—you'll fit right in.
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Part of Clarksburg area
Nearby
Every areaMorgantownWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the river and the Mountaineers never quit.ClarksburgWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the sky.WaynesburgPennsylvaniaWhere the hills hold stories and the people know your name.BuckhannonWest VirginiaWhere the hills echo with history.New MartinsvilleWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills roll on.Garrett CountyMarylandWhere Maryland meets the mountains.ElkinsWest VirginiaWhere the mountains whisperWheelingWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills hold stories.
Fairmont, WV. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.