Celebrate spring with ramps and lumberjacks

Last updated: March 22, 2024

Ramps and lumberjacks, oh my! Nothing welcomes spring to southern West Virginia like the Camp Creek State Park Timbersport Competition and Ramp Feast on April 13.

The day begins with a West Virginia culinary tradition of ramp casserole, brown beans, cornbread, slaw and a drink. The timbersport competition, featuring the country’s best, is free to watch and will run from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Visitors can expect 18-20 lumberjacks and 2-3 lumber jills from all over the United States to compete for prizes. Men and women will compete in underhand chop, standing block, single buck race, stock chain saw, production modified chain saw and a motorcycle chainsaw. Athletes will demonstrate a variety of these disciplines based on traditional logging skills to determine the best lumberjack.

The festival highlights ramps, a wild onion that grows throughout West Virginia during the spring. It resembles a scallion and tastes like a cross between an onion and garlic. For decades, ramp dinners have been a tradition in the Mountain State. However, this is the only festival that combines the wild onion with a lumberjack competition. Other food options will be available for purchase as well.

For more information about the festival and competition, call Camp Creek State Park at (304) 425-9481.