Where the People Are: Places for Extroverts in Marion County
July 7, 2016
You’ve spent your 40 hour work week surrounded by the blank walls of a cubicle and the endless stacks of paper. You’ve heard enough machine noise to buzzkill any day.
After work, you just want to relax, kick back, and head to where the the people are!
For the extrovert that recharges by population people, welcome to Marion County! We have plenty of places to indulge your need for some good, friendly fun!
Check out these favorite spots to people-watch from around the county!
Face-paced action, enthusiastic crowds, concessions stands– sports games bring it all to the excited extrovert, and Fairmont State University’s Fighting Falcons are ready to bring it!
Fall sports are just around the corner, and you can get involved in all the heart-pumping, knee-knocking, crowd-cheering bliss by joining FSU for one of the games.
With women’s soccer, volleyball and tennis starting up, see the Lady Falcons bring home the gold before heading to Homecoming for the start of the Falcons’ football season!
Want to add to your interaction quota for the game? Check out the tailgating opportunities in the Falcons’ parking lot!
This downtown coffee shop may contain enough caffeine to power 
your latest adventure, but plan to stay awhile when filling up on your favorite drink!
Any time of day, you can find coffeeshop comrades ready to discuss the latest politics, movie magic, or hipster music. These regular roasters usually come in quite frequently, making this coffee shop a place that feels like home!
Come back often and the best baristas in North Central West Virginia might concoct your newest favorite drink, or make sure to stop by every weekday for the daily lunch special!
Do your extroverted extremities always have little hands attached that won’t let go?
Take the little ones along for extroverted fun at the Splash Pad! They can cool off their energy levels in the wet fun, while you recharge and refuel with the other parents around!
Make new friends for the kids and yourselves while enjoying the breeze and the mist, and sooth your stress levels by finding those who know parenting is never done alone!
Looking for fun for the whole family? Want to relive your childhood 
days of summer fun and fair rides?
Bring your gal squad or bro pack to the ultimate location for extroverted enjoyment and grab a Fun Pass for the day!
With your trusty band, you and your crew can enjoy laser tag, bowling, archery tag, bumper cars, mini golf and more!
Just remember to get enough tokens to take home a prize and a load of memories of your special day!
Feel like your creative side has been gathering dust but can’t find the motivation to make something alone?
Bring along a pack of art enthusiasts and eager extroverts to paint your dreams–all under the tutelage of a master artist!
With step-by-step acrylic instruction for your paint palette and delectable desserts teasing your taste buds, this night out will bring your budding artist out for the world to see.
For special occasions, book a birthday party or a bridal shower and enjoy the joy of crafting with your many friends!
For other crafting venues with your crew, check out Mountain Creative for ceramic painting, Nativibes in Mannington for watercolor classes or West Fork Pottery for classy clay-sculpting classes!
Round up your country-loving buds and head out to the weekly round-up!
Come out for the early dinner and discuss your favorite greats of country fame, and then stick around for the booked bands!
You’ll be stomping your feet and losing your seat to the sweet sound of your favorite country artists, new and old!
For the entertaining extrovert, grab your bandmates and make some music on the open stage with a crowd ready to clap you on to country music glory!
More Marion County opportunities to meet music lovers await, so check out all our musical opportunities this summer!
Mill around with some historic pals at Pricketts Fort summer classes!
If you’ve ever wanted to meet folks who share your love of history, this is the place. Area artisans will teach you the art of blacksmithing, gun maintenance, spinning, dyeing, basketry, herb gardening and more, so pick a new skill and come explore!
After your class, invite your new friends on a Nature Walk, or spend some time meeting other birds of a feather at the Observation Deck!
Food and fun are right around the corner at one of Fairmont’s favorite hub for friends!
Make a lunch date for the upper deck, watch the latest baseball game with the locals or wait til nightfall for your entertainment fix! Local and regional bands will light up the downstairs stage with rock, country, bluegrass and more!
Can’t stay in your seat? Live DJs will have you, the pals you brought and the pals you met moving on the dance floor!
The Freight House Trivia Nights
What’s cheap, exciting and challenging all at the same time? Trivia night and Taco Thursday!
Every Thursday night, you can master the greatest minds of Marion County with a free chance to play trivia with your fearless team!
Grab the experts and be prepared for a night of laughter, endless dollar tacos, and the chance to win prizes for your hard-earned knowledge. Prove to your favorite people all knowledge truly is never wasted!
DJ’s Diner’s 50’s and 60’s Cruise In
Spin your wheels and take in the thrills of DJ’s Diner’s weekly cruise in car show and dinner!
Every Thursday from 6-8 pm, one of Fairmont’s most delectable diner’s brings an opportunity to talk cars, trucks, motorcycles and more as you admire the view and chew up the conversation and your favorite food!
Don’t leave without making a new friend or two!
Take a trip to the farm for a variety of local entertainment shows!
Whether you spook yourself silly watching a murder mystery or laugh until you cry with one of the comedy nights, you’re sure to enjoy the ride!
Bring a group of friends and stay for Group Trivia nights after a delicious meal in the courtyard. With no limit on team size, all of your extroverted buddies can come along and play for the prize!
Keep an eye on their Facebook feed because more special events are headed your way!
Wave Pool
Finding some wet and wild adventurers is as easy as stepping into your swimsuit and heading to East Marion Park’s wave pool and water slide!
You’ll meet folks of all ages escaping the summer heat with cool waves and a treat from the concession stand.
More swimming fun can be found all summer long at the 12th Street Pool or Mannington Pool!
Country music, community outreaches and Connector Art Day are all part of Palatine Park’s summer playlist of events!
Between motorcycle shows and Blues and BBQ, you are sure to find a niche to meet those who enjoy things like you.
Check out the Palatine Park facebook page for information about events going on every weekend through September!
Fairmont’s First Friday Concert Series
Need a hub to hangout at after the long week of work?
Every first Friday of the month all summer long, Veteran’s Square’s offers the chance to move and groove to some unique local sounds.
Bands from around the area will join artists and local vendors for a night of celebrating culture, creativity and common interests!
You’ll be glad you joined the party when you take in the sights and smells and then head to Joe n’ Throw for a coffee treat with friends!
Can’t stay busy with your new weekly hobbies? Craving a crazy crowd and a special treat? Check out Marion County’s annual fairs and festivals for some street-filling, music-playing, parade-waving fun!
From the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival (which was recently named as a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event) to the Mannington District Fair, we have festivals to ring in the season from spring to winter!
Whether you want to rock out with your new best friends at a live
Rachel Ellis
musical event or chat it up with champion chainsaw carvers, these special celebrations have something for everyone attending! Bring a pal, or three or more!
Wherever you decide to catch up with the old friends or meet the new, Marion County has plenty of extrovert-loving places just for you!