Blue Ridge Folklife Festival’s Celebration of Regional Heritage, Traditions Set for Oct. 26 in Franklin County, VA
Franklin County, VA (PRWEB) September 27, 2013 -- For 40 years the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival has commemorated the rich heritage and honored traditions of the region.
The celebration will continue for patrons of all ages, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on the campus of Ferrum College.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum at Ferrum, the official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore, coordinates the annual festival and also is a major venue along the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
“The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is the largest event of its kind in Virginia,” said Executive Director Roddy Moore. “It’s also recognized nationally for its authenticity and appeal.”
Covering much of Ferrum College’s campus and 1800s-era living history farm museum, the festival offers an array of contests and demonstrations, three music stages and an unmatched market of rural folk crafts – all amid the picturesque setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Farm animals and their handlers will showcase a number of skills in horse pulling, mule jumping and coon dog contests and demonstrations. Talented regional musicians will perform a variety of genres, from gospel and blues to string band and old-style bluegrass. More than 50 artisans will demonstrate old-time hand skills, including tobacco twisting, basket making, blacksmithing and dough tray carving.
For engine-loving festival-goers, the sights, sounds and smells of vintage power equipment is sure to bring smiles. Demonstrations will include rock crushing, wheat threshing, bailing and grain milling, and the car show will feature dozens of custom and antique vehicles from throughout the region.
Additionally, a bevy of food vendors will offer such savory Southern delicacies as pork barbecue, fried fish, fried apple pies, black pot chicken, pork skins, apple butter and more.
Admission to the rain or shine event is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and over, $5 for children ages 6-14 and free for children age 5 and younger. The festival offers free parking and is handicap accessible.
For a list of featured musicians, contests/demonstrations and crafters, to order advance tickets or for more information, call the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum at (540) 365-4416, email bri(at)ferrum(dot)edu or visit http://www.BlueRidgeFolklifeFestival.org.
Special festival tickets and parking packages are available for Ferrum College alumni. For more details, contact the alumni office at (540) 365-4214, (877) FERRUM1 or email alumni(at)ferrum(dot)edu.
To learn more about things to see and do in Franklin County, visit http://www.VisitFranklinCountyVa.org.
Tarah Holland, Franklin County Office of Economic Dev., http://www.visitfranklincountyva.org, +1 540-483-3040, [email protected]
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