FALL FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 16th - 18th, 2026
Each October, we host our signature event: the Dance WV Fall Festival, an unforgettable weekend that brings together hundreds of young dancers, nationally recognized educators, and passionate directors for a celebration of movement, learning, and opportunity.
October 16th - 18th, 2026
Cedar Lakes
Ripley, WV
What to expect
Each dancer will attend age- and level-appropriate classes in ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, and musical theatre during the 3-day festival. All dancers will select TWO additional enrichment classes.
Students from studios or schools that have been members in good standing for at least one year are eligible to apply for scholarships to elite summer dance intensives, university programs, and other state dance education opportunities.
Your students and chaperones will stay on-site in the Cedar Lakes cabins, providing convenient lodging and many chances for relationship building within your group and with dancers from across the state.
Optional weekend activities include a bonfire, a community-building social event, a dance education fair, and a Christian worship devotional at the chapel.
Classes begin Friday at 3:00 PM, and the festival concludes by 3:00 PM on Sunday.
A sample schedule is available for review. The 2026 schedule is coming soon. Once available, please download it to plan accordingly and check for updates regularly, as the schedule is subject to change.
Do you have a question about registration for Fall Festival? Send us a message!
During your first year of festival attendance, your dancers will participate in all aspects of the festival other than scholarship auditions.
Dancers are eligible to participate in auditions for scholarship awards if:
The member they are attending with has attended the festival with dancers at least one year prior
The member they are attending with has paid the current year’s dues prior to May 1st.
The student wears his or her assigned audition number for every class and audition.
The student has not accepted a scholarship that they later failed to attend during the previous year.
The student has attended all 5 core classes in their level during the Dance WV Fall Festival with the exception of a board-approved circumstance. Students cannot attend only the audition class.
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Studio or dance program directors based in West Virginia are invited to register their groups for the festival. To begin the process, please email us at dancewv5678@gmail.com. Once we confirm your status as a dance director, we’ll send you the registration link. You may bring dancers who are at least 9 years old through high school seniors. (All dancers must be at least 9 years old by the date of the festival.)
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Solid colored leotards and tights and/or close fitting t-shirts and solid colored leggings as appropriate to the style of dance should be worn for class. Dancers exposing bare midriffs, clothing with offensive language or images, or items deemed unsanitary or unsafe for the environment will be asked to change. Dancers should wear appropriate shoes for the classes they are taking. Make sure to bring hip hop shoes or clean tennis shoes/sneakers to wear during your hip hop class.
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Sleeping bags or sheets/blankets to fit twin bunks
Pillowcase or your own pillow
Towels/washcloths/hand towels
All necessary toiletries (soap, shampoo, facewash, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
Optional shower shoes
Dance shoes (ballet, jazz, and hip hop for all; tap and pointe if applicable)
Leotards and tights/ dancebelts, tights, shirts for 3 days of classes and auditions
Hair supplies (including whatever you might need for buns/securing hair out of your face)
Comfortable shoes for walking to/from classes
Comfortable clothing (layers work well!)
Umbrella for walking to/from classes in the event of rain
Cell phone charger
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Snacks for your group (in sealed containers to prevent critters in the cabins)
Bottled water
S’More supplies for the bonfire (disposable marshmallow sticks are helpful)
Light up/glow accessories for the glow party
Power strips (cabins have limited outlets available)
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Housing is dormitory style housing. Pillows are available though no pillowcases, towels, or bedding are provided. Rooms must be left as they were found. Groups WILL BE charged for missing or damaged items.
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Meals are served in the dining hall cafeteria style. Persons with food allergies and/or serious dietary restrictions should note it with registration, and special accommodations will be made for those dancers and chaperones at each meal. You’ll need to tell the dining hall staff your name and restrictions at the beginning of each meal.
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Wifi is not available at the festival.
General Festival Questions
Registration Process Questions
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We are excited to announce that each dancer will have an opportunity to participate in TWO enrichment classes this year! These classes will be filled on a first come/first serve basis. After your dance director submits the studio registration form, you’ll receive a student registration link where you’ll be able to make these selections.
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Individual dancers may not check in. Your studio director will check your group in and communicate your meeting spot. They’ll be provided with cabin details about 1 week prior to our festival.
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The dance education fair will be on Saturday. Dancers and parents are able to stop by anytime to check it out, chat with the recruiters, and pick up flyers and swag from the dance programs.
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Parents and dancers of all ages are welcome to attend this great informational session where you can learn more about what dance in college may be like. College reps will be on hand to answer all of your questions!
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On Saturday evening , dancers and adults are invited to gather at the Cedar Lakes chapel for a time of Christian worship, including music, singing, and a brief reflection on scripture.
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Dancers not auditioning are welcome to attend the bonus arts and crafts session, play miniature golf (bring cash), or explore the grounds.
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Chaperones do not need to sign up to attend these open classes. Just show up and have some fun with others who are there to share some laughter and dancing!
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We request that chaperones not enter the dance spaces during classes. All auditions are closed to observers and directors. Please limit photography and video to before or after class and only with permission. Dance WV members only are permitted to observe classes (excluding the audition classes) if space permits. No observation is allowed in the audition classes.
Weekend and Event Questions
Emergency Response Questions
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Basic first aid kits are available in every studio space and there is a nurse present during the festival. Directors and DWV faculty will receive the nurse’s number in their welcome packet. Should a more serious situation arise, alert your director or a faculty/staff member of Dance WV and we will contact the nurse or call 911 as necessary. Anyone with specific health problems should bring medications with them including epipens, insulin, and inhalers.
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If you have difficulty reaching your students, group, or members of Dance WV during the festival and have an EMERGENCY need, you may contact the Cedar Lakes office at 304-372-7860.