June ushers in the official start of summer,  and with that the annual  rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation. But with so much going on this month in Marion County, you may want to reconsider leaving town.

Here are some unique ways to enjoy the great outdoors, hear some celebrated Appalachian tunes and be a tourist in your own backyard.

 

 

Now open: the Splash Park at Palatine Park. It’s much cooler than your backyard sprinkler (in more ways than one). Not to mention the three Marion County pools will be in full swing.

Nothing announces summer better than vine-ripe vegetables and fruit. Stock up every Tuesday and Saturday at the Fairmont Farmers Market.

 

 

It’s the season for disc golf, too. The Fairmont Flyers Club Championship on June 24 will have divisions for all skill levels. Give it a shot! Disc golfers can register for the WV Cup and Seth Burton Memorial as well.

Palatine Park is also swinging into summer. Join kayaks and paddlers on June 24 for the MR Pioneer Trail Paddle Fest — a leisurely day of sightseeing, shopping, and music. In fact, the Bluegrass Fest will be providing the tunes!

 

 

Music concerts

School’s out, and so is that bell. Finally! Now there’s a better beat in town: feisty calypso and salsa music, courtesy of the First Friday Concert on June 2. Then, groove to dulcimers at PattyFest on June 3 or dance to country music every Saturday at the Sagebrush Round-Up. An accordion concert is also coming to town!

 

 

Summer events at Pricketts Fort

The frontier is never dull — that’s why settlers built a fort in the first place. This summer is no exception, with hearth cooking demos and blacksmithing and colonial kids’ games. Even tickets are half-off on Father’s Day (just for Dad) and West Virginia Day on June 20 (come one, come all).

Pricketts Fort will also have a special backcountry lecture and a classic rock concert.

 

What are your summer plans? Let us know in the comment section below.