Morgantown Hosted 9th Annual Pawpaw Festival
The event celebrated the native North American fruit at the WVU Core Arboretum this past weekend.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Morgantown residents gathered at the WVU Core Arboretum on Saturday for the 9th annual West Virginia Pawpaw Festival. The event offered attendees a chance to sample and purchase the rare native fruit.
Why it matters
The festival provides public access to the pawpaw, a fruit that is native to Appalachia but is notably absent from commercial grocery store shelves and standard markets.
The festival reached its 9th annual edition, highlighting the peak harvest window for the pawpaw fruit, which typically spans from mid-August through early October.
The players
WVU Core Arboretum
This facility in Morgantown serves as the host site for the festival and contains a collection of native pawpaw trees.
The details
Visitors at the WVU Core Arboretum explored a self-guided trail to view the trees and engaged with local vendors to purchase seeds, trees, and harvested fruit. The fruit is primarily found growing across north central West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region.
Timeline
Mid-August to early October marks the annual pawpaw harvest season.
The 9th annual West Virginia Pawpaw Festival occurred on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The festival capitalizes on the growing interest in regional foraging and native food sources, contrasting with the standardized supply chains of major retail grocers. This event reflects a broader shift toward local food sovereignty and the preservation of indigenous Appalachian agricultural traditions.
Local attendees gained direct access to pawpaw trees and seeds that are unavailable through traditional supermarket retailers. Visitors were able to sample and buy the fruit directly from regional vendors during the peak harvest period.
The takeaway
The pawpaw remains a unique regional delicacy that requires specific seasonal timing for those looking to harvest or enjoy it. Residents interested in the fruit should note that peak availability is limited to a brief window each September.
Further reading
Learn more about local culinary traditions in the Food and Drink section.
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