Music, Culture And Community Return Downtown As Black Heritage Festival Opens Friday
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Downtown Clarksburg will once again become a gathering place for music, food, culture and community this weekend as the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival returns for three days of events.
The 2026 festival runs Friday through Sunday, Sept. 11 through 13, with activities ranging from a golf tournament and youth events to a full Saturday of live entertainment and a Sunday community church gathering.
The centerpiece of the weekend comes Saturday, when the festival fills downtown Clarksburg with performers, vendors, food and family activities throughout the afternoon and evening.
Opening ceremonies begin at noon with Byron Cooper serving as master of ceremonies.
The WVU Jazz Band takes the stage at 1:15 p.m., followed by the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble at 2:15 p.m.
West Virginia singer Lady D, known as the state’s First Lady of Soul, performs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The evening lineup will then turn toward R&B and soul with tribute performances celebrating the music of the Four Tops from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., Stephanie Mills from 6 to 7 p.m. and Mary J. Blige from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Flight 66 featuring Byron Cooper is scheduled to close Saturday night with a performance from 8:45 to 10 p.m.
Music will only be part of the experience.
Festival organizers are preparing for food vendors, an expanded vendor marketplace and family activities that will give visitors an opportunity to spend much of Saturday downtown.
Organizers are encouraging festivalgoers to bring their families, friends and lawn chairs and make a day of the celebration.
The weekend begins Friday morning with the annual Frank Starks Golf Tournament at Bel Meadow Golf Club. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
A 3-on-3 basketball tournament is also planned as part of the festival, with additional participation details, a time and location still to be announced by organizers.
The festival continues Sunday with a Community Church Gathering from 10 a.m. to noon, bringing worship and fellowship into the final day of the weekend.
While the entertainment and activities make the festival a major September event in downtown Clarksburg, its purpose extends beyond the stage.
The West Virginia Black Heritage Festival grew from a community celebration organized in Clarksburg in 1990 and has continued to promote Black culture, history and achievement while creating opportunities for people from across the community to gather together.
Its work also continues throughout the year, including efforts supporting young people and educational opportunities in the community.
This summer, five students were selected to receive 2026 Kelly Miller West Virginia Black Heritage Festival scholarships after being recognized for accomplishments including academics, leadership, athletics and community service.
That combination of culture, entertainment and community involvement will come together again this weekend in the heart of Clarksburg.
For visitors, Saturday offers the largest concentration of activities, beginning with opening ceremonies at noon and continuing with live entertainment through 10 p.m.
