CHARLESTON, W.Va – A growing Charleston tradition returns next month when FestivFALL descends on the city to bring arts, music, dance, and culture to downtown from October 8 to 12.

Zack Harold

FestivFALL is an extension of Charleston’s annual FestivALL, the annual summer arts festival that launched in 2005. Zack Harold took office as FestivALL’s executive director last month and said the focus of the fall event is the same as the original.

“It’s a tradition for FestivALL to bring top-notch programming into Charleston. What’s really neat is that just about all of our events are completely free to families that want to come and enjoy them,” he said.

Among the events scheduled for FestivFALL are free attractions like “An Evening With the Poets” hosted by Taylor Books, a concert by Magnolia Boulevard at City Center Live, the two-day Harvest Art Fair at Capitol Market, and the fan favorite Carriage Trail Leaf Walk.

Harold sees FestivFALL as an opportunity to experience what West Virginia has to offer without breaking the bank or leaving any part of the family at home.

“West Virginia is great all year long, but I think she’s at her most charming in the fall, and this is a perfect way as the weather’s cooling down, the leaves are changing, you can bring your family out and enjoy some free, family-friendly entertainment,” he said.

The Harvest Art Fair spans October 11-12, and artisans on the vendor list include producers of fine art. photography, pottery, printmaking, textiles, and woodwork. In Harold’s eyes, this presents a chance for both local artists and shoppers to benefit while also developing a sense of community around the arts.

“It’s an opportunity for these talented artists to get out in front of huge crowds and show off their wares, a great place for shoppers to get some early holiday shopping done. It brings the community that Charleston has together in one place that you can experience all of Charleston’s artistic community,” he said.

According to Harold, FestivFALL crowds travel from the surrounding area and even other states to enjoy the experience because it’s set up to make taking in the sights and sounds as easy as possible.

“Go to the city center and hear some live music. Walk to Taylor Books and hear some poetry reading. Go down to Folklore Music Exchange and see some live Shakespeare. People come here because it’s easily accessible, it’s free, and it’s fun for the entire family,” he said.

With FestivFALL being his first event in the executive director’s chair, Harold is ready to bring some new ideas to the table. While he says he loves what the festival has been in its first two decades, he wants even more culture to come to the capital city under his watch.

“Thinking back on the last 20 years and all the amazing experiences that FestivALL has brought to Charleston, we’re entering our next two decades, and I think there is so much cool stuff yet to be done in this town,” he said.

More information about this year’s FestivFALL schedule is available now at festivallcharleston.com.