Crowds gather in Abingdon, Virginia, for a variety of events.
The 74th Virginia Highlands Festival returns with a wide array of events that celebrate the arts, culture and history of the region. This year’s dates are Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 30.
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center continues to be the hub of festival events. These include the Juried Antiques Market and Vintage Show, Writers & Readers Day, and a series of lectures on antiques and local history.
The Juried Arts & Crafts show has always been a downtown Abingdon attraction and continues in its traditional spot on the Barter Green on Main Street. The show features hand-crafted pottery, jewelry and clothing, paintings, unique home and garden decorations, specialty foods and soaps. The show is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
For many attendees the Juried Antiques Market and Vintage Show is the highlight of the festival, and its location in the Grand Hall at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center provides an escape from the mid-summer weather. Antique lovers can browse through booths filled with formal and primitive furniture, silver, jewelry, porcelain, china, rugs, vintage clothing, linens, paintings and many other collectibles. The event is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It closes at 4 p.m., July 30. Admission is $5. Show pass is $20.
The Juried Fine Arts supports regional artists with their annual show, competition and sales. This year the event is at the Abingdon Arts Depot and accepts all types of two-dimensional visual arts and photography, all in one show and competition. Intake dates for show submissions are July 15 and 16 from 2-5 pm at the Arts Depot.
This year’s concerts are held in a variety of locations. The Breakfast Club entertains at a Retro Prom, July 21 from 7-10 p.m. at Glenrochie Country Club. Come stag or dance the night away with your sweetie to throwback tunes. Wear your finest evening attire or your flashiest ‘70s, ‘80s or ‘90s throwback duds to compete for Retro Prom King & Queen. Ticket price includes dinner with cash bar available. $70 stag/$120 per couple.
The Washington Crossings Car Show is held at Washington Crossings Shopping Center July 22 from 2-6 p.m. Show off your ride or appreciate others while listening to Indie folk music. Food truck available. Annabelle’s Curse is the headliner and takes the stage at 5:30 p.m.
Tuatha Dea performs at Celtic Friday Fest at the Abingdon Farmers Market July 28 from 6-9 p.m. The group takes Irish and Scottish music and blends it with rock and Appalachian blues. Bring chairs. Food trucks are on site.
The VHF Country Slam features Kaitlyn Baker, Joe Lasher and the Lauren Cole Band at Latture Field July 29 from 4-9 p.m. The event features food trucks, vendors and activities for kids.
Culinary Arts feature the Nicewonder Farm and Vineyard’s chef Travis Milton in two events with celebrity chefs from around the country. Wednesday, July 19, Elizabeth Sims, author and founding member of the Appalachian Food Summit, moderates a Table Talk with nationally acclaimed author and chef Andrew Zimmern, Milton, nationally known sommelier Charlie Bert and master herbalist Lori Briscoe. Tickets are $50. The next evening at Hickory Zimmern and Milton team up to prepare a four-course meal. Cocktails are at 6 p.m. Food is served at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $225 (includes Table Talk ticket) and are available at the door or online.
Performing Arts events sponsored by the Virginia Highlands Festival this year include a storytelling and musical traditions event July 24 at 7:30 p.m. on the Gilliam Stage at Barter Theatre. Josh Goforth, Hannah Harvey and Eugene Wolf perform. Tickets are $10 and are available through Barter Theatre.
Dean Shostak from Williamsburg, Virginia performs two concerts of colonial music. A children’s concert is July 26 from 2-3 p.m., on the Smith Stage at Barter Theatre. The Crystal Concert is July 26 at 7:30 p.m., at Barter Theatre. Both concerts feature crystal instruments that were used in Europe and colonial America in the 18th century.
Shawn Carter performs late-nite comedy on Barter’s Smith Stage July 21 and 22 at 11 p.m. Carter is joined by several other comedians from the region’s flourishing comic scene. Adults only. Tickets are $10.
Barter Theatre actors present a Late-Nite Cabaret July 28 and 29 at 11 p.m., on Barter’s Smith Stage. This is a raucous night of anything goes entertainment which may feature skits, monologues, some song and dance. Adults only. Tickets are $15.
Writers & Readers Days are held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29 beginning at 9 a.m. The featured writer is Kentucky poet laureate George Ella Lyon. The cost for Writers & Readers Day is $70 for both days and $40 for a one-day ticket.
Local history events are always central to the festival. There will be an “Abingdon Historic Homes Tour,” downtown walking tours, ghost tours, a Sinking Spring Cemetery Living History event, “Life in the Backcountry” living history events at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, and several lectures on topics related to regional history and culture.
Outdoor adventures highlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the region. There will be guided nature hikes, bike rides and vineyard tours. Some activities require advance registration on the festival website.
This year a wide variety of daily Youth Activities return to Barter Green.
Finally, Community Related Events complement the events organized by the festival itself. The Friends of the Library has its annual book sale. The Historical Society presents two performances of the living history event, “A Conversation with Jefferson & Adams.”
For a complete listing of Virginia Highlands Festival activities, including registration requirements, advance ticket purchases to most paid events, parking and shuttle info, and more, visit www.vahighlandsfestival.com.
