The West Virginia State Folk Festival originated as an exhibit on the Glenville State College campus. It was started in 1950 by a man named Patrick Gainer, "...to preserve the remnants of West Virginia traditional life and culture to the end that citizens may appreciate and respect the achievements of their forbearers." Every year the festival takes you back to the old days. It presents you with music, dancing, singing, and crafts brought from the life that these mountains have. Started in 1950, the West Virginia State Folk Festival is the place to go to remember the days of old.