Albright, West Virginia – 2024 marks an extraordinary milestone—30 years of the Cheat River Festival! Join Friends of the Cheat (FOC) on the scenic banks of the Cheat River in Albright, West Virginia, for two days of fun, music, and community on Friday, May 3rd, and Saturday, May 4th.
Cheat Fest is more than just a festival; it’s Friends of the Cheat’s (FOC) largest annual fundraiser and outreach event, fueling our ongoing efforts to restore, preserve, and promote the Cheat River watershed’s natural splendor. For three decades, outdoor enthusiasts, music lovers, and families alike have come together to raise dollars and awareness for the cleanup and protection of the Cheat River. Once listed as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers (1995), the Cheat is now a stunning example of recovery and resilience, thanks in part to funds raised through Cheat Fest.
The Cheat River Festival maintains a grassroots, family-friendly, reunion-like atmosphere while pulling a crowd of 3,000 supporters. So bring your camp chair, and your curiosity, and help us celebrate the mighty Cheat River and its inspirational story. Remember: no pets, glass, or bad vibes allowed!
Gates will open at 5pm on Friday and 12pm on Saturday for Festival attendees.
Starting at 5:30pm on Friday and at 12:30pm on Saturday, local bands from all over Appalachia will entertain crowds with live music including this year’s headliner, Cris Jacobs. Fest attendees will be able to browse the infamous Art Market and vendor booths for local art, pottery, clothing, and jewelry. A diverse array of food vendors will be on-site to feed the masses with offerings of bison sandwiches, BBQ, eggrolls, calzones, ramp sausages, a variety of sweets, and more!
Local experts will be hosting educational workshops in the Education Eddy. They will be presenting on a variety of subjects such as snakes, salamanders, local wildflowers, and the newest Friends of the Cheat projects.
Kids are the heartbeat of the festival! Children 12 and under enter free with a parent or guardian. Stop by the Kid’s Tent on Saturday to enjoy a full slate of kids’ activities, including a group mural, an otter-based craft, and AMD Tie Dye.
The Silent Auction is virtual again this year, and features many one-of-a-kind items from the Art Market artists, vendors, attending nonprofits, and more. The auction can be found at https://www.32auctions.com/CheatFest2024
FOC is partnering with Food for Preston to collect non-perishable food items and hygiene items to stock their 11 pantries around Preston County. Everyone who attends is encouraged to contribute an item to the Food Drive. Items will be collected at the Info Booth. The Donation List can be found at www.cheatfest.org
FOC would like to thank some of the generous sponsors that support Friends of the Cheat’s mission: The Nature Conservancy, March Westin, Team Boosch, and Highland Outdoors.
Discounted combo tickets are available for $40 until 9:00 PM on Monday, May 1st at www.cheatfest.org. Single-day tickets will be available at the gate only for $20 on Friday and $30 on Saturday. Additional details including a full schedule of activities and information on local accommodations are available at cheatfest.org and the Cheat Fest Facebook page.
Lisa Maraffa, Festival Coordinator, says “Cheat Fest is a very special event unlike any other because it is a festival with a purpose. This event raises funds to help with the Friends of the Cheat’s mission to restore, preserve, and promote the outstanding qualities of the Cheat River watershed.