OAK HILL, W.Va. — One of Oak Hill’s busiest weeks of the year is just days away as the 27th annual Oak Leaf Festival prepares to take over downtown from August 31 through September 6. The week‑long celebration will bring vendors, food trucks, rides, pageants, parades, car shows, live entertainment, a chili cook‑off, and fireworks to Main Street.
Festival organizer Saundie Smith said planning begins each January and continues for months leading up to the event. “We have a good committee. Everybody helps out,” Smith said.
Local tourism officials say the festival delivers a major boost to downtown businesses. Tim Naylor with the New River Gorge CVB said the influx of visitors brings heavy foot traffic and strong sales for vendors. “It’s really good for the city to see that much traffic come through in the week,” Naylor said. He added that some visiting vendors and attendees may even consider opening businesses in Oak Hill after seeing ongoing revitalization efforts.
This year’s festival also carries a special connection to country music history. Hilary Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr., will be the festival’s special guest throughout Labor Day weekend. Smith said Williams will arrive Friday evening and take part in Saturday’s festivities. Naylor noted the significance of her visit, pointing to Oak Hill’s place in the Williams family story — Hank Williams Sr.’s final stop was in Oak Hill in 1953.
A full schedule of events is available at oakleaffestivalwv.org.
