West Virginia Governor announces major event coming to the Summit

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has announced a major event is coming to the state.

He held a press conference at the Summit Bechtel Reserve Thursday morning, along with officials from Summit Events, GNCC Racing, and West Virginia DNR Director Steve McDaniel.

West Virginia will be hosting the 2021 Adventure On! Freedom Fest. It’s a weekend of celebration and freedom between September 10 through 12. It will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Governor Justice says West Virginia will also hold its National Hunting and Fishing Days at the Summit the same weekend. There will also be several other outdoor events scheduled. Summit Events is teaming up with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and GNCC Racing to launch the nation’s most unique adventure festival.

Organizers of the event say the goal is to become the largest hands-on outdoor adventure expo in the United States.

During the three day festival, there will be ziplines, canopy tours and the nation’s third largest shooting sports range. Participants will have access to over 70 miles of bike and ATV trails, and action sports fans can use the nation’s second-largest outdoor skate park and the Summit’s four BMX courses.

Guests will also be able to interact with world-class athletes and talk with manufacturers and vendors, as well as get to learn about the newest products and receive training in hunter safety, boating, and other outdoor skills.

Exhibitors will include national and local companies including Benelli, Remington, Polaris, Savage Arms, Specialized, Cabela’s/Bass Pro, NWTF, The National Park Service, Friends of the NRA, and West Virginia University. The Governor’s Office says more are joining each day.

West Virginia’s celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days – the largest hunting and fishing expo in the state, will also include big buck and trophy fish displays, hundreds of hunting and fishing vendors and several family-friendly activities.

Also, the weekend will include a GNCC Amateur Motocross race called The Mountaineer Race. GNCC Racing, which is based in Morgantown, WV, runs the nation’s premier off-road motorcycle, ATV, and e-mountain bike races. The organization places an emphasis on providing camaraderie and a family atmosphere during its events

On Saturday, September 11, they will end with a tribute for 9/11. It’s the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The Summit will host host a free concert for first responders, active and retired military, and law enforcement officers. It will end with a light show and fireworks display as a tribute to those who have sacrificed so much over the last 20 years.

The governor’s office says “Adventure On! Freedom Fest” will serve as the kickoff to the Summit Bechtel Reserve’s Adventure On! series and will be one of three similar events held over the coming years at the Summit. Organizers are working to launch an Adventure On! Action Sports Fest in 2022 and an Adventure On! Music Fest in 2023.

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