On August 26th, the top of Lick Mountain in Alleghany County will be rife with the sights and sounds of the 3rd annual Appalachian Farmfest. Located off Indian Draft Rd., on the grounds of WestWinds Venue, this year, owners Buddy and Lynne Seldomridge have teamed up with Chad Nickell & Daniel Jackson of Chad Nickell & the Loose Change, to bring the surrounding communities an exciting and new music festival experience.
The gates will open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, the 26th with the music starting at 1:00 p.m. and will go into the late evening. There will be 20+ vendors on-site to provide goers with raffle drawings, treats, demonstrations, and unique shopping opportunities including handmade apparel, jewelry, arts & crafts, and much more. Luca’s Pizza and the Dunlap Volunteer Fire & Rescue will offer many different food options. Garlinda’s Fancy Feet and Patsy’s Dance Studio will perform several dance routines between the music acts as well as raffle off some nice items. Mountaineer Cornhole will be hosting all-day, pro-style cornhole tournaments with sign-ups beginning at 10:00 a.m. and bags flying at 11:00 a.m.
Appalachian Farmfest also provides attendees with the unique option to camp atop a gorgeous, open hillside with breathtaking sunsets and scenic overviews of the neighboring mountains below. $20 covers a no-hookup camper spot or a vehicle w/tent and anyone can set up as early as Friday afternoon but do not have to leave until Sunday morning. Campers and non-campers alike are encouraged to bring the necessary supplies to keep themselves comfortable: coolers (BYOB friendly-no glass), chairs, blankets, flashlights, and snacks (although do not forget to enjoy the local food vendors). No pets (except service animals) and no open fires will be allowed but there will be a large community firepit area. This is a rain or shine event, but Farmfest features several places to find coverage from the sun or rain. Additional canopies can be brought in as long as goers are respectful of others’ views.
Friday evening, local favorites Buck & Sugah will be hosting an open-invite style jam session for all the early-birders. Verdeant, a West Virginia based folk-rock duo, will kick off the festival on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Roanoke’s smooth grooving country rockers, Omegawolfe will play from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. With members from all over West Virginia, Alabaster Boxer will jam their bluegrass & rock-infused tunes from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. From 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Eric Wayne Band out of Roanoke, will take the stage with their mix of country and southern rock covers and originals. At 9:00 p.m., Alleghany County’s own Chad Nickell & The Loose Change will carry out the night with their roots infused jams until 11:00 p.m. or later. Sound will be provided by Sun Sound Services and Conceptual Visions will provide lights, for what is promised to deliver an exhilarating live music experience.
Pre-sale tickets are available right now online at appalachianfarmfest.eventbrite.com for $10 per person, which is half off of the gate price of $20 per person. Follow Appalachian Farmfest on Facebook to keep up with all the latest information including artist and vendor highlights plus a chance at some exclusive giveaways.
Sponsors for the event include Highlands Community Bank, Stonewall Gas Station, Alcova Mortgage of Alleghany Highlands & Covington, Gerald E. Franson Insurance Agency Inc., Farm Bureau Insurance Covington, John Franson, Sonny Waddell & RVAC Life & Retirement LLC, Blue Ridge Lumber Co LLC, Cole Rides, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, Jay’s Trading Post, and the Rail Bar & Grille.
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