Highland County Maple Festival (Highland County) — Two weekends in mid-March. “Take a step back in time to Highland County, “Virginia’s Sweet Spot.”… Sugar camp tours provide a unique and educational experience that portrays a rapidly vanishing way of American life… In addition to pancake and buckwheat cake meals, famous maple doughnuts and live entertainment, over 100 high-quality juried arts and crafts vendors take part in the festival each year. We’re glad to have you share the experience!”
Gordonsville Fried Chicken Festival (Gordonsville, Orange County, Central Virginia) — Early October. “Gordonsville is famous for its fried chicken. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local women carrying platters of the delicacy on their heads served it, along with pies and coffee, to passengers of trains stopping in town. Nationally known at that time, Gordonsville’s fried chicken earned the town the nickname of “chicken-leg center of the universe”.”
Traditional Music Festivals
Rockbridge Mountain Music & Dance Festival (Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, Shenandoah Valley) — Early September, the weekend following Labor Day. “If you love dancing and old-time music in a mellow setting, Rockbridge is the festival for you. Those who like structure will find plenty to do, while others rarely leave the campground area, choosing to play and visit around the “neighborhood” where a laid-back, low-key air prevails.”
The John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival (Castleton, Rappahannock County, Central Virginia) — Late September. “This music and cultural heritage festival honors Woodville Virginia native John Jackson, recipient of the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award in 1986. There will be live music all day as well as historical displays. Enjoy a day of great music, family and friends in beautiful Rappahannock County.”
Craft Festivals
Virginia Clay Festival (Stanardsville, Greene County, Central Virginia) — Mid September. “Held in the town of Stanardsville, the Virginia Clay Festival is an art show celebrating the creative possibilities of clay.”
Fall Fiber Festival & Montpelier Sheepdog Trials (Montpelier Station, Orange County, Central Virginia) — Early October. “The Fall Fiber Festival and Montpelier Sheep Dog Trials is a celebration of traditional fiber techniques and an opportunity to view working dogs at their best! Join our family-friendly event to learn all about fiber animals, shearing, spinning, weaving, and fiber arts. You can join one of our many classes, view a demonstrations, enjoy our lauded sheep dog trials, or submit your best fiber art in one of our many competitive divisions. We will have a variety of vendors selling artisan goods and food trucks to feed any appetite.”
Cultural Festivals
Richmond Greek Festival (Richmond) — Early June. “Over the years, the festival concept has been expanded and enhanced. The outdoor area features white tents with food, drink selections and ample seating, as well as a stage with a live band and Greek folk dancers. Inside the Cathedral building are sanctuary tours, a charity information table, a raffle and merchandise table, an agora (international marketplace) and a pastry table with authentic Greek delicacies.”
James River Batteau Festival (Several points along the James River, Central Virginia) — 8 days in late June. “The James River Batteau Festival is an eight-day event featuring authentic replicas of the sleek, shallow-draft merchant boats upon which the Old Dominion rode to its first era of economic prosperity. Beginning on the waterfront of Lynchburg the festival moves along a 200-year-old route, stopping each day in the historic towns and communities along the way. Each evening is a celebration of the cultural heritage of this legendary river basin in music, song, dance and storytelling, plus lots of plain old-time Virginia socializing.”
