Fairs and festivals are summertime staples.
Whether it’s live music, bright lights, funnel cake and fireworks, or the allure of sorting through handcrafted items and watching live artisan demonstrations — these fairs and festivals have got you covered.
VISIT MECKLENBURG COUNTY, VA
Whatever busy highway life has you traveling, take the time to explore Mecklenburg County. Discover charming towns, splash around in Virginia’s largest lake, enjoy a craft brew and a gourmet meal, take a stroll through historic destinations and wineries, or dance the night away at an outdoor summer concert. You’ll find more of what matters in Mecklenburg County. For more information, visitmeckva.com.
VISIT WINCHESTER, VA
Winchester invites you to do summertime differently. Enjoy long nights under the stars. Visit the nostalgic Family Drive-In Theater. Wake up to coffee and pastries in Old Town Winchester. Take a stroll through the historic pedestrian mall downtown, while browsing shops, boutiques and galleries for truly unique finds. Enjoy new Appalachian cuisine at Vault & Cellar. Then experience any one of the intimate live music venues in and around the city. Make this year’s summer trip anything but traditional. For more information, visit visitwinchesterva.com.
RASSAWEK SPRING JUBILEE
Goochland County, Va.
June 3 & 4
Celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Rassawek Spring Jubilee on June 3 and 4 — a celebration of the handmade and the homegrown. Rassawek’s annual Wine Tasting Festival offers visitors an experience unlike any other with live artisan demonstrations, including wood turning, glassblowing and blacksmithing. Experience batteau boat and steamboat rides. Enjoy tastings from over 10 local wineries and cideries, live music from various artists, Chesapeake Dock Dogs competitions, and a variety of food vendors and activities for the kids. There is something for everyone. For more information and to get your advance-price tickets now, visit rassawek.com.
CHINCOTEAGUE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S CARNIVAL
Chincoteague Island, Va.
June 30-July 29
The Chincoteague Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival is an island tradition dating back to 1924. The Firemen’s Carnival leads up to the world-famous Pony Swim and Auction. It’s an event where locals gather to catch up and visitors get to experience what makes Chincoteague so special. The event runs each night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and has something for everyone, including raffles, rides and games, food, and live entertainment. While taking in the sights and sounds of this spectacular event, enjoy fun carnival favorites like pizza, clam and oyster fritters, pony fries, funnel cakes and soft-serve ice cream. All proceeds benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. There will also be a fireworks show at 10 p.m. on Independence Day and the closing night of the event.
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
Chincoteague Island, Va.
July 20-22
The 35th annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival, the opening act for the world-famous Pony Swim, will happen on July 20-22 at the beautiful Chincoteague Center. Amazing food, nonstop live music, awesome artists and crafters, and blueberries in their many forms. For more information, visit chincoteagueblueberryfestival.com.
VIRGINIA LAKE FESTIVAL
Clarksville, Va.
July 21-23
The 46th annual Virginia Lake Festival will include a multitude of events open to the public at no charge. Activities for all ages and live bands all weekend — Main Street Station, Mad Maxx & The Groove Train band, as well as Justin Cody Fox & High Grass Band. Saturday morning starts at dawn with a hot-air balloon show along with 5K & Fun Run. Over 150 vendors line the street. A wide variety of food, a two-day juried arts and craftftfts show, and helicopter rides make for a nonstop eventful day. At nightfall, boats gather on the lake and festivalgoers gather at the shoreline to see the extravaganza fireworks show. Can’t make it on Saturday? Enjoy over 50 vendors on Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with great live music. Visit clarksvilleva.com for all the details.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Orkney Springs, Va.
July 21-Sept. 3
If you love music, this is the place to be. Enjoy great music under the stars at Shenandoah Valley Music Festival in Orkney Springs, Va. Feast your ears on the likes of Three Dog Night, Don McLean, The Steel Wheels, Pure Prairie League & Firefall, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Doo-Wop Project and more! Package deals include discounts on tickets and lodging. Walk to concerts. For tickets and more info, visit musicfest.org.
FILMS THAT MOVE
Cape Charles, Va.
July 24-Aug. 4
Films That Move (formally Experimental Film Virginia) is an international artist residency culminating with a film premiere at the Historic Palace Theatre in Cape Charles on Friday, Aug. 4. Films That Move is a hybrid film festival that offers a peer-facilitated dance film creation experience on a professional level with production approached within a unique framework of exchange, collaboration and support. The goal is to make a film one would never have made at home. For the public, it is an international cultural event unlike any other. It is intense, challenging and beautiful.
FIELD DAY OF THE PAST
Amelia, Va.
Sept. 15-17
Field Day of the Past is held in Amelia County at Redfield Farm, 11404 Circle Drive. This is where you go for all the power pulling action — tractor pulls and truck pulls. And, of course, live music, gold panning, carnival rides, heritage exhibits, animal exhibits, mechanical bull rides, educational exhibits, arts and crafts, and all the food and fun one can handle. For tickets and more information, visit fielddayofthepast.net.