The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

Uniquely West Virginia beauty in Berkeley Springs and surrounding countryside makes the ideal setting for the wine and food focus this weekend. To keep up with the daily changing of Mother Nature's look, become a Facebook fan of Berkeley Springs, WV and see the photos.

The main event -- Uniquely West Virginia wine and food show -- is on Saturday, but there is so much to see and do this weekend you MUST come up early. Uniquely is in the North Hall of the Old Factory Antique Mall at the north end of town just down the block from the Ice House. There's plenty of free parking to make it easy to load up on cases of your favorite West Virginia vintage -- 10 wineries with scores of vintages to taste and choose. The show runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday ONLY and has an exciting new activity this year -- demonstrations by Panorama at the Peak's excellent chef, Scott Collinash. He'll be there cooking and chatting at 11:30, 12:30 1:30 and 2:30. Panorama will be set up with prepared food as will Lot 12. Other new vendors include several from the Farmers Market (which opens itself on Sunday.) Mock's, Wisteria Farm and Glascock's will all be there with everything from early greens and lettuce to a tomato or two. Free admission and as a bonus, more than 50 antique vendors to peruse in the other part of the building. Wine is also all over town with Ambrae House and La Luna wine bars and Wilkes Street Wine Shop.

Mother Nature plays a starring role in a partner event -- Redbud Weekend. This event produced by eCo coalition ranges from star parties at the Observatory beginning at 8:30pm on Friday and Saturday to getting a free redbud seedling at Nature Niche. Saturday's big draw is an open house at Eidolon nature preserve. There are guided hikes and casual discussions. Check the schedule here or pick up one at locations throughout town. Hopefully, the cooler weather predicted for this week will keep the redbud at their peak. Check for large arrays of roadside redbud as you drive along Cold Run Valley Rd or south on US522 or on just about any road in the county. While you're out and about on the trail of redbud, check out that uniquely West Virginia art at Frog Valley, now open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The nature-related activities this weekend include the season opening of the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market on Sunday from 10am to 2pm in the square.

More nature fun occurs all weekend long at Cacapon State Park, 6000 acres of the best West Virginia has to offer. Visit their Nature Center and do everything from petting a black snake to hiking the mountain. Sunday from 2-8pm the park is staging a youth Camp for the Day at the Bluebird Pavilion in the picnic area. For those who like their wilderness manicured and filled with little white balls, Cacapon has an exceptional 18-hole golf course. If practice is what you need, Cold Run Driving Range and Mini-Golf is also open from 9am to dark on Saturday and Sunday plus other days except for Tuesday and Wednesday.

It's not all wine and redbud. Friday at 7:30pm is the opening of the Ice House Theater Project's "The Importance of Being Earnest," a witty and well-staged version of Oscar Wilde's noted play. There are also shows at the Ice House on Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 3. Stop by the Ice House Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm for the Civil War special art exhibit: Valor in the Valley as well as a unique display of eyewitness sketches of John Brown's Trial and Hanging.

Let's go back to talking about food round town all weekend long. The Country Inn is ramp central serving ramps at every meal from breakfast to tapas. Lot 12, the noted restaurant of Chef Damien Heath, the only West Virginian on the James Beard best chef regional finalist list, is also serving specials with local morels and ramps all weekend -- and they'll be at Uniquely West Virginia. Panorama has local tapas all day Friday, specials including those Chef Scott is demonstrating at the festival, plus tasty local lovage treats. Panorama is also staging events connected with Redbud Weekend. Tari's Cafe features a four-course West Virginia food tasting dinner on Saturday. Highlawn Inn has a limited seating Meet the WV Winemaster five-course meal with matched wines on Saturday featuring Fisher Ridge's Dr. Wilson Ward -- Fisher's Ridge is also at the festival. Our friends at Mountainside Restaurant have added a new menu item making Thursday smoked BBQ ribs day.

A big new event this weekend is the 522 Yard Sale which is mobilizing shopkeepers throughout town to clear out inventory and offer huge bargains at tables out front of their places. Don't forget to visit inside the shops as well.

Entertainment besides the play and dining is also abundant this weekend. Fairfax Coffee House features the Lickety Split Banjo Boys playing traditional bluegrass and gospel on Friday beginning at 8pm. On Saturday starting at 9pm, there's Bobby Edeton and the Driftwood Band playing for country dancing at the Troubadour. Tari's Cafe has Dan Cronin hosting Jam Nite on Thursday, and Earth Dog Cafe has live bands Friday and Saturday.

The Star Theatre is showing the raucous comedy, "She's Out of My League" which has nothing to do with wine, ramps or redbud. It's showing Friday through Sunday at 8pm and is rated R. The Star does have its own Uniquely West Virginia treat however -- the best popcorn in four states.

There is no way to do all these fabulous things without staying a couple nights. Everyone knows this so rooms are filling up FAST so look at our vacancy list first then check the lodging page for specials and unique properties. Maybe it's time to try something new. B&B people should try a vacation home in the mountains; cabin folk can think about coming into town for pampering at the Country Inn. Wherever you stay, whatever you choose to do -- this is an ideal weekend to experience the splendor of Berkeley Springs -- and it's closer than anywhere.