Ramps, Rails & Really Good Vibes

Elkins’ tastiest Spring tradition rolls back into town

Mark your calendars and maybe grab a mint for later — the ramps are coming back.

The 16th Annual Ramps and Rail Festival pulls into town April 25, 2026, at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center in West Virginia, and if you’ve never experienced the unapologetic glory of this wild Appalachian onion, this is your sign.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Elkins will basically smell like heaven with a hint of garlic. The festival, which keeps getting bigger every year, is expanding for the second year beyond Town Square and onto Railroad Avenue and Third Street — aka more room for more food, more crafts and more reasons to stay all day.

Ramp lovers and first-timers alike can dive fork-first into a lineup that’s anything but basic. Think ramp burgers. Ramp hot dogs. Dumplings. Egg rolls. And about 50 food and craft booths serving up Appalachian creativity in every form. It’s giving small-town charm meets foodie fest.

Live music and entertainment will roll from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lineup to be announced), setting the soundtrack for your spring reset. Announcements and introductions kick off at 10 a.m., and the day wraps at 4 p.m. with the presentation of award plaques — yes, you can vote for your favorite vendors, so choose wisely.

And because this is Ramps and Rail, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad will offer train rides at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for anyone ready to romanticize their life a little. It’s one of the first chances of the year to hop aboard, so if a scenic spring ride through the mountains sounds like your vibe, plan ahead and check mountainrailwv.com for tickets.

The festival is more than a food event. It’s a full-on Appalachian culinary experience celebrating a wild edible that locals wait all year to harvest. Ramps — for the uninitiated — are a seasonal delicacy with a bold flavor and an even bolder fan base. Around here, they’re basically royalty.

For vendors looking to join the party, applications will be available in February. You can request one by emailing elkinsdepotmanager@gmail.com or calling 304-635-7803. Be sure to specify whether you’re applying as a food or craft vendor. Spots are first-come, first-served once payment is received. And organizers stress: Don’t fall for spam. Only trust communications from the Elkins Depot Welcome Center or Elkins-Randolph County Tourism pages.

So, whether you’re here for the ramps, the rails or just the vibes, April 25 is your chance to celebrate spring the Appalachian way — loud, flavorful and just a little bit funky.