East Marion Park
Fairmont, WV

The very first 14-permanent horseshoe courts in WV were built within the East Marion Recreational Park. Twelve courts in the East Marion Recreation Park were constructed in 1978 and two more were added in 1995.This site has held the most prestigious monetary tournaments in WV, including several annual Head-of-the-Mon-River/Memorial Weekend Tournaments and one of the only two National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) Northeastern Regional Tournaments held in WV.  The Tri-County Horseshoe Pitching Club conducts events on the courts.

About the National Horseshoe Pitching Association:
THE SPORT OF HORSESHOE PITCHING  (Why pitch organized horseshoes?)
A Family Sport
Horseshoe pitching boasts of being one of the few sports that has a national champion for men, women, boys and girls and can still be played in one’s backyard. It can be played by one or more and by the young as well as the old.
Physical Fitness
In this day of weight-watching, what better way to exercise than walking, bending and reaching? These are integral parts of this great sport. Game-related injuries are rare, and doctors have repeatedly stressed the beneficial aspects of this sport.
Join the Millions of Participants
It was recently estimated that upwards of fifteen (15) million enthusiasts enjoy pitching horseshoes in the United States and Canada, in tournaments, leagues, recreation areas and backyards. What sport offers so much for so little?
Sports Origin
The origin of this sport goes back to the days of the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers pitched horseshoes discarded from the horses used to drive their chariots.
Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War pitched horseshoes for recreation on the Boston Common. The Duke of Wellington in history said that the war was won by the pitchers of the steel (horseshoes).
An International Sport
The sport has been introduced in South Africa, Italy, Japan, Grand Bahama Islands, Togo, West Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Germany, Nigeria, Honduras, Canada, South America, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Poland, Phillipine Islands, England, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
The facility is NOT fully NHPA sanctioned.
Non-sanctioned league play begins in the spring of each year.
  • 14 courts available
  • Regulation size
  • Lighting available
  • Concession capability
  • No built-in seating
  • No fees for use​
​Contact MCPARC staff with questions about our available sports facilities or for reservation information by email at [email protected] or by phone at 304.363.7037.

Affiliated Horseshoe Pitchers - MCPARC, INC

For further information feel free to contact:
  • Charles M. Bunner
    President, West Virginia Horseshoe Pitchers Association, Inc.
    304-366-7986
    [email protected]
League play Tuesday evenings at 6:00 beginning May 5 through August 27, 2026.
Sanctioned league play Thursday evenings at 6:00 beginning May 7 if sufficient participation.​
Upcoming Events
  • June 6, 2026 - 38th Annual Historical Head-of-the-Mon-River National Horseshoe Pitchers Association SANCTION Singles Tournament - REGISTRATION FORM
  • June 27-28, 2026 - NHPA/CLUB Sanctioned Mixed Adult Singles Tournament - REGISTRATION FORM