WV Chocolate Festival

The WV Chocolate Festival is a free, family-friendly event that returns to Ripley Elementary School on Saturday, March 28, 2026, for its 19th annual celebration. Founded in 2008, the festival has grown from a gathering in an abandoned warehouse to Jackson County’s signature spring event, drawing over 2,200 visitors annually to this small town positioned midway between Charleston and Parkersburg along I-77.

Venue details and how to find the festival

The festival occupies Ripley Elementary School at Second Avenue, Ripley, WV 25271. The day begins with the beloved Chocolate Parade at 10:00 AM, which starts at the Ripley City Municipal Lot and follows South Church Street directly to the school. Festival activities run from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Admission is completely free, a distinguishing feature that sets Ripley’s festival apart from other chocolate events in West Virginia. Visitors pay individually for chocolate items directly from vendors.

From abandoned warehouse to beloved tradition

Co-founder Sheree Knotts launched the festival in 2008 in an abandoned Ripley warehouse. The event migrated through several venues, including McCoy’s Inn and the Fellowship Center of Epworth United Methodist Church, before settling at Ripley Elementary School. The festival typically falls in late March or early April, aligning with the Easter season.

West Virginia actually hosts multiple chocolate festivals, but the one officially branded as “THE WV Chocolate Festival” is exclusively the Ripley event. The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival on April 11, 2026 operates separately as a larger, ticketed tasting event in Greenbrier County.

Chocolatiers, vendors, and activities fill the day

Approximately 15 to 25 vendors participate annually, featuring regional chocolatiers and home-based confectioners. Sweet Dreams Chocolate, operated by Wendy Staats from nearby Ravenswood, has participated since the festival’s founding and is known for chocolate-dipped potato chips, truffles, chocolate critters, and superhero-themed suckers. Local churches contribute their signature chocolate Easter eggs as fundraisers.

The festival programming includes:

• Chocolate Parade launching the festivities at 10:00 AM
• Free photos with the Easter Bunny
• Train rides throughout the venue
• Free face painting for children
• Live entertainment featuring bluegrass and country music, with past performers including The Cossin Brothers and Corey Hager
• Easter egg hunt for young attendees
• Easter bonnet and tie contest
• History Alive presentations, with past topics including Charles “Peanuts” Schulz

Parking strategy and day-of logistics

Arrive early for the best parking experience. The parade assembly point at the Ripley City Municipal Lot serves as a reference point for downtown parking. Street parking and small public lots throughout downtown Ripley provide reasonable access, though capacity is limited for this compact, walkable community.

Following the parade route from the Municipal Lot along South Church Street to the elementary school helps orient visitors to the festival layout.

Where to stay in and around Ripley

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ripley off I-77 at Exit 138 offers the most complete amenities including an indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast. McCoy’s Inn provides a boutique alternative with 16 suites featuring premium bedding and 55-inch 4K Smart TVs. Visitors consistently rate it a hidden gem.

Cedar Lakes Conference Center at 82 FFA Drive, established as a state 4-H camp and conference destination, offers unique accommodation options. It has hotel-style rooms in Holt Lodge, plus 360 dormitory beds across nine cottages for budget-conscious groups. The property spans four lakes and features on-site dining at Lakeview Dining Hall.

Budget travelers can book the Super 8 by Wyndham Ripley with free parking suitable for large vehicles. Quality Inn Ripley near Rollins Lake rounds out chain hotel options. The Ravenswood Inn Bed and Breakfast, a restored late Victorian Folk-style house approximately nine miles away, provides a charming alternative.

Local restaurants worth visiting

Fairplain Yacht Club stands out as a stop on the West Virginia Culinary Trail, earning awards for creative wings, house-smoked meats, and craft beer. Their inventive appetizers include Rings of Fire jalapeño rings and coconut shrimp with tangy marmalade.

Roadhouse 2081 evolved from a family-owned Ponderosa Steakhouse established in 1990, transforming into its current steakhouse concept in 2020 when the franchise contract expired. The Downtowner earns high marks for homemade breakfast and genuine small-town diner atmosphere. Pete’s Hotdogs serves authentic West Virginia-style hot dogs with a steamed bun, sausage, chili sauce, slaw, onions, and mustard that draw devotees from across the region.

Historic sites and additional attractions

The Staats Mill Covered Bridge, constructed in 1887 and spanning 97 feet, was relocated to Cedar Lakes for preservation and provides excellent photography opportunities. The Ripley Historic District contains 110 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Armstrong House from 1848, the city’s oldest residence in Greek Revival style.

Appalachian Distillery produces authentic moonshine with free tastings and tours for visitors 21 and older. The Alpine Theatre, operating since 1936, continues showing films and hosting live entertainment in its historic Art Moderne building.

The Last Bite

The WV Chocolate Festival firmly belongs to Ripley. For March 28, 2026, chocolate enthusiasts should navigate to Jackson County, arrive early for the parade, and enjoy free admission to one of West Virginia’s sweetest spring traditions.