The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE – The fifth annual Magic In The Mountains Festival will be held in Clifton Forge May 7 and 8.
On Saturday, May 8 there will be free outdoor entertainment on the Sona Bank Plaza all day. The Alleghany High School Choir will perform under the direction of Mrs. Amanda Sprouse, AHS Choral director. Many groups are scheduled to perform including: Garlynda’s Fancy Feet, Patsy’s Dance Studio Dancers, Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers and the Rhinestone Rockers. Bill Wells will perform magical tricks. Brian Mullikin will entertain with fire twirling. A Famous Couples Costume Contest will be held with a cash prize for the winners.
A new area has been added this year for flea market participants called The Marketplace on Saturday only. It will be located on Rose Street Parking Lot with a fee to participate.
The application is online for the Marketplace. The flea market area will be set up on a first come, first paid basis according to payment date before the festival.
Many juried arts and crafters have signed up for spaces. Vendors include everything from jewelry, pottery to birdhouses. Spaces are still available with the application online. Varied types of food vendors will be featured at the festival. There will be a limited number of food vendors allowed to participate.
The festival will include a Tractor Show featuring antique tractors and a wine tasting will be held with several vineyards participating.
There will be an art show at the Clifton Forge Library with art from the students of Clifton Middle School. Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center will also feature an art exhibit.
A free Magical Kidz Zone will include a petting zoo, face painting as well as inflatables. The petting zoo will be located at the Central United Methodist Church.
Musical entertainment at the Masonic Theatre will feature the Washington Street Strutters at 7 p.m. on Friday. The group plays “warmed up” Dixieland and jazz. On Saturday at 7 p.m., the Black Mountain Boys and Against the Grain will play bluegrass music. Tickets for both events may be purchased in advance soon at Clifton Forge Main Street Inc., Owens Pharmacy, Country Garden Florist and Gifts and The Shoe Box & Sports Center. Tickets for the entertainment are $10 for adults and $7 for children under 12. Seating is limited.
The Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center will hold a fundraiser featuring a buffet breakfast Saturday from 7 a.m. til 11 a.m. at Vic’s Family Restaurant. Prices for the breakfast are $7 for adults, $5 for children under 10 and children under 5 free.
A fundraiser will be also held by Clifton Forge Main Street Inc. to benefit projects such as Fun Fridays this summer and other events held by the nonprofit group. A Schwan Foods Truckload Sale will be held both days on the parking lot behind Northwest True Value.
The Board of Directors of Clifton Forge Main Street and the Magic In The Mountains Committee would like to thank the following sponsors of the festival: County of Alleghany, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce, town of Clifton Forge, MWV Converting, MWV Packaging Resources Group, MWV Specialty Chemicals and Sona Bank.
Joe Anderson, president of CFMS stated: “Without all of the sponsors, the MITM festival would not be what it will be this year. Many hours have been spent planning this festival for months. It is expected to draw many visitors again this year from many localities. The Alleghany Railroad Heritage will also be held on Saturday at the C & O Heritage Center. it will be a great day to bring your family to the downtown historic district of Clifton Forge.”
Applications and more information are online at www.magicinthemountains.org or www.cliftonforgemainstreet.org. Contact Debby Faulkenbury, program director of Clifton Forge Main Street Inc. at 862-2000 for any additional information needed.
