CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will join the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History to celebrate West Virginia’s 161st birthday with festivities on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the State Capitol and Culture Center in Charleston. The event is free and open to the public.

The celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the State Capitol Dome Murals Project Dedication ceremony in the Capitol’s main building – second floor rotunda, featuring Governor Justice, Cabinet Secretary Randall Reid-Smith, Delegate Jonathan Pinson, Senator Vince Deeds, students from the West Virginia Ambassadors Camp and Brody Hammers playing piano. The ceremony will conclude at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a reception in the Great Hall of the Culture Center, where First Lady Cathy Justice will cut the West Virginia birthday cake. Cupcakes, cookies and refreshments will be served. The First Lady will also announce the winner of the inaugural Hot Dog Sauce competition.

The Culture Center and State Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for guests to tour the museum and exhibit areas. Visitors are encouraged to sign the state’s birthday card to commemorate the day. The popular juried quilts and wall hangings exhibit will be on display.

For more information about West Virginia Day activities, contact Andrea Thompson, deputy commissioner, at (304) 558-0220 or Andrea.D.Thompson@wv.gov