Life in Charleston, West Virginia.

Summer

Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso has three offices throughout the state of West Virginia.  Each office is unique with respect to its architecture, city specific needs and staff, but each are tied together through a strong firm culture.  Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso, known to many as FSB, is a firm with statewide recognition and reverence.  The firm is known for its courtroom abilities, client dedication and a love for the state of West Virginia.  

FSB’s main office is located in West Virginia’s Capitol City of Charleston.   Not only is Charleston the state capitol but it is home to many eateries, shopping boutiques, festivals and cultural attractions.   Upon exiting the office doors you will find yourself within two blocks of some of the best Charleston has to offer.   

In the summer months the City of Charleston comes alive with one-of-a-kind events.  FestivALL, a weeklong celebration of the arts, transforms the city of Charleston into a stage highlighting, dance, music, theatre, visual arts and family fun.  During FestivALL the University of Charleston’s campus is flooded with music enthusiasts attending events such as Wine & All that Jazz and Blues Brews & BBQs. 

Beginning in May and running through September, Charleston’s Haddad River Front Park plays host to local bands every Friday night during Live on the Levee.  At Live on the Levee, you can listen to great local talent, grab a snack from any of the local vendors or anchor your boat next to the levee to watch an evening of fireworks.  
Throughout the summer, Charleston is home to many festivals and events that are unique to the region.  Whether you are attending the Vandalia Festival or MultiFest, you will find yourself taking in the beauty and architecture of the state’s capitol while walking the grounds.  Ninety degree temperatures do not stop the long running, Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-Off.  Chili-cooks from around the country line up on Haddad’s River Front and compete for top honors.  A few city blocks from Haddad River Front Park you will find Charleston’s Magic Island.  Magic Island is utilized for many activities/events such as, early morning yoga classes, movie nights, hot air balloon exhibits and most recently SportsFest.  SportsFest entertained guests with Pro Volleyball challenges, the Governor’s Cup Pro Jet Ski Race and the Firefighter Combat Challenge. 

If you are looking to take part in America’s favorite pastime, Appalachian Power Park is the place to be.  Appalachian Power Park, home to Charleston’s West Virginia Power baseball team, is located in the heart of downtown and draws a dedicated crowd with nightly specials during each home game.   When the Power Team is on the road Appalachian Power Park hosts concerts, local fundraisers and probably one of FSB’s most popular events -- Corporate Cup. Corporate Cup is a “friendly sports competition geared to promote corporate fitness and morale”.  Businesses throughout the Kanawha Valley compete against one another in activities such as Corn Hole, Billiards, Swimming, Put-Put Golf, canned food and blood drives as well as a track and field day. 

The natural landscape of West Virginia lends itself to many hours of outdoor fun.  Kanawha State Forest, located minutes from FSB’s Charleston office, is a great place to hike, mountain bike, road run or even have a picnic.  While ATV riding is not permitted in Kanawha State Forest it is more than encouraged on the Hatfield- McCoy Trail system.  Found just south of Charleston, ATV enthusiasts are drawn to one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world.  Exciting outdoor activities can be found throughout West Virginia, but one of the most concentrated areas for thrill-seeking is Fayetteville, WV just 1.5 hours from Charleston.  Fayetteville is known for its world-class white water rafting, tree-top canopy tours, boutiques and eateries, and of course Bridge Day.  Bridge Day celebrates the surrounding beauty and showcases thrill seekers who annually BASE jump from the New River Bridge and float to the river basin as thousands of people look on.

Golf courses abound in West Virginia and several can be found within the city limits of Charleston.  However, if you want to see the PGA you must travel to White Sulphur Springs WV, where the Greenbrier Classic takes place.  A week-long PGA tournament livens up the sleepy town of White Sulphur Springs and for the second year in a row, the Greenbrier Resort has hosted the PGA greats such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and John Dailey.  Concert goers were treated to the musical talents of the Black Eyed Peas, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban. 

Fall
In the fall don’t expect to sit around doing nothing.  With West Virginia University only 2.5 hours north of Charleston and Marshall University only 1 hour west of Charleston, college football is the name of the game.  Whether you bleed blue and gold or white and green you are sure to find yourself in either university town on a weekend celebrating the State of West Virginia.  As fall sets in and the leaves begin to change, many people take this opportunity to visit any one of West Virginia’s State Parks and take in the beauty of the foliage range.  Tree-top canopy tours fill-up quickly but you can always enjoy the view from the Gauley, if you are up for the Class III to V+ rapids.

In September, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences begin their fall season performances.  Whether your preference lies with Mozart, Mahler, or Beethoven the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will wow you. 

As in the summer months, Charleston hosts several signature fall events.  The Pumpkin Festival draws an enormous crowd of pumpkin fans who take part in everything pumpkin from growing contests to elaborate carving stations and of course pumpkin flavored fair food.   Oktoberfest will bring out your inner-German while HallowEast will scare the wits out of you.   At Oktoberfest one will enjoy craft made beers and bratwursts with all the fixens.  HallowEast, plays host to several mini-events all centered around Halloween.  Zombies come alive during the zombie walk, a true “who done it” is explored through a Murder Mystery Dinner and art takes on a spooky twist during Artwares.  HallowEast takes place in Charleston East End which is home to the city’s historic district.  The beautiful old homes and tree lined streets are the perfect backdrop for Charleston’s HallowEast.

Winter
West Virginia’s mountains and valleys aren’t just for scenic overlooks.  These mountains are home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding on the east coast.  Within a few hours’ drive from Charleston you could find yourself at Snowshoe Resort, Timberline, Canaan Valley or Winterplace.  If you are drawn more to the holidays that fall within the winter months than you are to the snow activities, Charleston has you covered.  There are multiple holiday lights shows that the whole family will enjoy as well as several holiday themed acts that take place at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences.   Winter isn’t the only time you can ice-skate in Charleston.  There is a year-round ice rink at Trace Fork that host local and collegiate hockey games.

Spring
Once the snow has melted and the green from the trees and grass begins to show it is time for a visit to Capitol Market.  Within two blocks of downtown Charleston local farmers showcase their green thumbs.  With over 20 vendors, shoppers searching for the right flower, tree, ground covering, etc. can peruse multiple local businesses to help their yard come alive.  During the spring, Charleston is also home to one of the largest yard sales, known as the East End Yardsale.  The historic district of Charleston is inundated with bargain hunters and sellers, who participate in the thousands - over 5,000 people participating in 2011.  The historic district also hosts an annual garden walk that allows people to explore the East End and the unique homes and landscaping that complete Charleston’s Historic District.  

Without being regulated to a season, there are a ton of experiences to be had in and around Charleston.   On the third Thursday of each month, downtown businesses and art galleries participate in Art Walk.  Art Walk gives people the opportunity to view the works of local artists and their many mediums including photography, painting, sculpting, digital art, clothing and many more.   The art community in Charleston is busy year round with displays at the Culture Museum, performances by the Charleston Ballet, plays and musicals performed by local theatre clubs, and the offerings available at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences.

One of Charleston’s crowned jewels known as Mountain Stage, is “where musicians come to play”.  Musical artists from around the world travel to Charleston, WV to a tape a Mountain Stage show that airs on public access networks across the globe.  From classic rock, to indie funk, bluegrass and the uncategorized jam you can find a show that suits you.  Charleston’s music doesn’t stop at Mountain Stage as you can see top artists from around the country at the Charleston Civic Center, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, and the Keith Albee Theatre.

If you find yourself wanting a weekend getaway there are plenty of bed and breakfasts, resorts and campgrounds available at your finger tips.  If you prefer the excitement associated with the roll of a dice or that found in a poker game, West Virginia has several gambling casinos to meet your needs.  The casinos and  race tracks have everything from greyhound and horse races, table games and slots, to high-end resorts with spa and shopping amenities.