Things are Looking Lovely in Meadows of Dan!

**MEADOWS OF DAN FOLK FAIR **Saturday, August 8, 10 AM!


Bird's Nest Found in tomato plant at Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market Garden

Everything is so cool and green right now...the gardens are lush and the blackberries are thick on the brambles! It has been nice here this week, with cool breezes!

Friday, July 31, 2009, Sunset on the Deck at Olde Mill Golf Course with Duane Steele/Laurel Fork, Va. NO COVER/DRINK SPECIALS/HALF PRICE APPETIZERS DorNel Pratt will be performing!!! 2258 Stone Mountain Rd - Laurel Fork, Va - 1-800-753-5005

Buffet Breakfast - Saturday, August 1, 2009, 7 AM to 10 AM. All you can eat eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, baked apples, coffee and juice by the finest cooks on the mountain! VFW and ladies auxiliary sponsoring, held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway 58.

Saturday, August 1- Music at Christopher's Pizza, None of the Above - 7 PM to 10 PM.

August 2 - SUNDAY SOUNDS: MUSIC ON THE WINERY COURTYARD 1-4PM (ENTERTAINMENT IS FREE) GRILL OPEN 12-4PM at Chateau Morrisette.
Come out and enjoy live music on the winery courtyard. Bring your own seating. Wine and food are available for purchase at our D*Vine grill. August 2nd entertainment: Al Coffey Nicknamed the “Swiss Army Musician”, Al Coffey might gift you with any combination of instruments. He enjoys the guitar, slide blues guitar, fiddle, harmonica, flute, saxophone, mandolin, bass, percussion and trumpet!

Monday, August 3 - 4 PM to 7 PM - Spaghetti Supper, sponsored by VFW and ladie's auxiliary, all you can eat spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, coffee or iced tea and dessert. Held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway 58.

For more about what's happening in Meadows of Dan click here. The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area. The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Patrick County, Virginia web sites also offer more information about the area and events.

5th Annual Meadows of Dan Folk Fair

Butter churning at Meadows Dan Folk Fair 2008

Meadows of Dan Folk Fair - "Visit a Simpler Place in Time"

The 5th Annual Meadows of Dan Folk Fair will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009, with activities from 10 AM to 10 PM. Continuing the tradition of showcasing the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the merchants and organizations throughout Meadows of Dan will be sponsoring demonstrations of heritage arts, music and a play. The Meadows of Dan Folk Fair is held in association with the Virginia Peach Festival, sponsored by the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, and is part of a week of festival events. The Folk Fair is sponsored by the Meadows of Dan Community Association.

New for this year the Meadows of Dan Fire and Rescue Support Team will be serving sandwiches made-to-order, sides and dessert at the Meadows of Dan Community Building. Proceeds benefit the Meadows of Dan Fire and Rescue Squad. Mayberry Presbyterian Church members will be serving hot dogs, sandwiches and a bake sale at Poor Farmer’s Market to benefit their building project. Throughout the town there will be specialty foods available as well. Other merchants and organizations are working on more events at press time and updates will be posted at the community web site athttp://www.meadowsofdanva.com. Another new attraction for old and young alike is a display of traditional farm animals at Mountain Meadow Farm.

As always, heritage music is a strong part of the Folk Fair, with popular local musicians and bands appearing all over town throughout the day and into the evening. A craft show will be featured running from 10 AM to 5 PM, and located throughout town there will be heritage demonstrations of blacksmithing, wood-turning, chain-saw art, handspinning and other heritage arts and crafts. A favorite with kids and adults alike is the ride through the charming country roads and fields of Meadows of Dan in the Belgian horse and wagon. Local peaches honoring the Virginia Peach festival will be available for sale.

The highlight of the day is the popular play "Orlean Puckett" starring Phyllis Stump, who will perform live at Poor Farmer's Market stage from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. The story of a mountain mid-wife and her life in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the Civil War and to the time of the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the play is a unique tribute to mountain heritage and tradition.

The Virginia Peach Festival, or "Peach Week" in Patrick County begins on Thursday, August 6, with Gospel Music and Singing at the Patrick Springs Fire House, Patrick Springs Virginia, 6 - 8 PM, free admission. Continuing on Friday, August 7, with the State Peach Pageant at the Historic Star Theater in Stuart, Virginia, at 6 PM. Admission $3.00. Sunset Drive and Upland Express will perform at Rotary Field on Saturday, August 8, for the traditional music festival of the week. For more information contact the Patrick County Chamber office at 276-694-6012. For more information about the Meadows of Dan Folk Festival check the web page at http://www.meadowsofdanva.com.

FLOYDFEST PREPARES FOR REVIVAL!

Music Schedule Finalized: 'SURVIVORMAN' Les Stroud, a wilderness survival expert from the popular Discovery Channel series, is scheduled to perform a song on his harmonica with lead singer John Popper during Blues Traveler set on Saturday, July 25th

Now in its 8th incarnation, the festival will take place July 23-26, 2009 in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. Since its inception in 2002, FloydFest organizers have prided themselves in providing a safe and welcoming ground for a global community forum, and musical showcase steeped in Appalachian roots. This year's theme Revival echoes the festival's mission to serve as a holistic plateau for the restoration and rejuvenation of our individual values, and our living culture.

True to its Roots, FloydFest Greening efforts shine through this year with involvement of several organizations and key players. Turning our food waste & food-related packaging into compost is one of the best ways to increase the positive environmental impact, and festival organizers have partnered with PME Compost of Riner, Virginia to expand their system this year.

The festival is also proud to welcome Rock the Earth, the leading advocates working with the music industry and fans to ensure the existence of a sustainable and healthy environment for all. This year, Rock the Earth will be hosting two discussion panels that will focus on Social Change Through Music, complete with artists, farmers, and naturalists. Additionally, patrons are encouraged to stop by the Main Field booth and recycle their out-of-service cell phones for a chance to win discounts, merchandise, and surprise gifts! More information about this effort is available on CollectiveGood website: www.collectivegood.com/floydfest

The Healing Arts Village at FloydFest, sponsored by the Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga is a place to relax, pick up new skills, get incredible bodywork, and buy art with spirit. Visitors and early risers will have a chance to be surrounded by beauty, the festival music, and the prayers of many as they stretch the body and mind during several scheduled workshops and classes, including Yoga, Belly Dance and Feldenkrais.

The Global Village will once again be the most relaxing busy spot on the site, hosting workshops by "The Last American Man" Eustace Conway, as well as the ENO Village, an idyllic forest shaded Hammock Lounge area, provided by Eagles Nest Outfitters.

The beautiful festival venue, Blue Cow Pavilion, is located at milepost 170.5 off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the 80-acre mountain plateau offers camping, a progressive 'Global Village' area of workshops and demonstrations, over one hundred artisans and crafters, food offerings ranging from pulled-pork BBQ to fresh sushi to hand-churned ice cream, a comprehensive healing arts area, and a Children's Universe, featuring stage performances geared toward children, puppetry, workshops, playground equipment and babysitting services.

Discounted tickets are available from the festival website through July 20th! Onsite RV and Souvenir packages have SOLD OUT early this year, but off-site park-and-camp tickets are still on sale! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.floydfest.com.

FloydFest 8: REVIVAL complete lineup: Blues Traveler, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Railroad Earth, Donna the Buffalo, Yard Dogs Road Show, Grupo Fantasma, The Felice Brothers, The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, EOTO, Panjea featuring Chris Berry & Michael Kang, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Toubab Krewe, The Duhks, Forro in the Dark, The Sadies, Hot 8 Brass Band, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Lee Boys, Ollabelle, Pete Francis featuring Barefoot Truth, The Horse Flies, Adrienne Young & the Old Faithful, Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, The Belleville Outfit, Rose's Pawn Shop, R.I.S.E., Sol Driven Train, Steve Johnson Band, The Old Ceremony, Stop, Drop & Roll, Mad Tea Party, Luminescent Orchestrii, Sxip Shirey, The New Familiars, Boulder Acoustic Society, William Walter & Co., Blues and Lasers, Spiral, Morwenna Lasko & Jay Pun, Barcelona Institute of Gospel, Whitetop Mountain Band, Blue Mule, Kat Mills, Ananda Bellydance, 3 Minute Lovin', The Transmitters, Christian Breeden/ American Dumpster, Eustace Conway, The Jugbusters, Hoorah Cloggers, Dry Hill Draggers, Community High Performance Band, and Musicians from the Crooked Road PLUS Under-the-Radar Music Series artists!

About Across-the-Way Productions
Born in 2001 on the small stage of Oddfella's Cantina in downtown Floyd Virginia, Across-the-Way Productions, Inc., has dedicated itself to becoming Southwest Virginia's premier event production company. In a world of ever-increasing homogenization, AtWP promotes a community-based approach to event production, and prides itself in presenting sincere, family-friendly, quality, even magical events.

In addition to FloydFest, the 2009 AtWP roster includes the states' largest wine festival - Vintage Virginia, the state's oldest wine festival Virginia Wine Festival, and this year's inauguration (slash resurrection) of Floyd Fandango, a new kind of Beer and Wine Festival set for July 4th and 5th at the beloved FloydFest site on the Parkway. For more information visit www.atwproductions.com

Contact

Publicity: Svetlana Nikic Creality Communications 540.745.FEST (o) 413.218.7550 (m) info@creality.info

Weekend Events in Meadows of Dan!

The big news in Meadows of Dan lately is all about the bears people have been seeing on the outskirts of town! So be careful driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway and out around Lover's Leap!

Other news is that everyone is excited about the upcoming Folk Fair, held as part of the Virginia Peach Festival, on August 8. Mark your calendars now!

July 17 - Music at Christopher's Pizza - Almost Country, 7 PM to 10 PM

July 17 - Friday Nights Live! Featuring Local musicians playing rock & roll and alternative music from 6 -9 PM on the winery courtyard at Chateau Morrisette
featured band: Mojo Nation - With firm roots in the world of rock and funk, Mojo Nation incorporates electronics and drum loops to create a densely layered sound that also includes reggae, hip hop and most anything else. Each third Friday in June through September we’ll feature local musicians playing rock & roll and alternative music from 6 - 9 pm on the winery courtyard. Our grill will be open selling food, wine and beer. Bring your own seating! $8 per person. Rain or shine.

July 18 -

Music, Mead and Cider
Foggy Ridge Cider

Experience two originals-enjoy original local music and taste award winning cider and mead just 2 miles apart near the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwest Virginia. $4 covers tastings and music at both locations.

July 18 - Music at Christopher's Pizza - Barbershop Grass, 7 PM to 10 PM

July 19 - SUNDAY SOUNDS: MUSIC ON THE WINERY COURTYARD 1-4PM (ENTERTAINMENT IS FREE) GRILL OPEN 12-4PM at Chateau Morrisette.
Come out and enjoy live music on the winery courtyard. Bring your own seating. Wine and food are available for purchase at our D*Vine grill. July 19th entertainment: Amber Trust Wave was formed in 1984 by John and Wayne with emphasis on original and well-produced works. John LaRocco’s writing lyrical writing ability & Wayne Weade’s signature guitar style defines Amber Trust Wave in songs like” Diminished Winds” and “So Many Times.” With the addition of Todd Bogle in the fall of 2004, Amber Trust Wave has kicked into high gear their recordings of new songs like “ In his Will, In His Way”, “Coin from Columbia”, and “Turn off The Rain”. Their album “Sleeping Right Through the American Dream” is currently being remixed. When released it will join a discography that includes “File Under Folk”; “Diminished Wind” and” Full Moon Picture Window”. When mp3 was all the rage, Amber Trust Wave shared the top 10 with Roger McGuinn for a time. They have been seen locally at Folk Fests, The Club at Fiji , Three Little Pigs, Coda; Chateau Morrisette, political rallies and select private parties.

For more about what's happening in Meadows of Dan click here. The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area. The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Patrick County, Virginia web sites also offer more information about the area and events.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Rhododendrons are blooming in Meadows of Dan!

It's a big weekend in Meadows of Dan! Come up out of the heat and enjoy cool breezes on the mountain and all the great events. July 3 - Independence Day Celebration/Laurel Fork/Olde Mill 5:00pm-until/$2.00 per person admission Live music, BBQ, Waterslide, Moon Bounce, Dunking Tank, Hayrides, Car Cruise-In, HUGE Fireworks Show!!! Featuring the Showtime Band!!!! 2258 Stone Mountain Rd - Laurel Fork - 1-800-753-5005 -www.oldemillclubs.com July 3 - Sunset on the Deck at Olde Mill Golf Course with Duane Steele/Laurel Fork, Va. 5PM NO COVER/DRINK SPECIALS/HALF PRICE APPETIZERS 2258 Stone Mountain Rd - Laurel Fork, Va - 1-800-753-5005 July 4 & 5 - Crafts in the Meadows and Meet the Authors- 5th Annual Craft Fair. Plus local authors. Book signing. Hand crafted items. No admission. Bring lawn chairs. Music provided. Local fruits and vegetables. Space for vendors. Mountain Meadow Farm - Meadows of Dan - 540-593-3279 www.mountainmeadowcrafts.com July 4 - Fire on The Mountain-Fourth of July-Vesta At Poor Farmer's Farm. Music. Old Fashion soda. Ice cream. Cracker Barrell atmosphere.Local items for sale 7958 Jeb Stuart Highway - Vesta - 276-952-2560 Email for more information. July 4 & 5 - Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival-Blue Ridge Parkway Daily One of a kind experience. Merging Wine Down the Music Trail and Floyd Fandango. Beer and Wine Festival MP 170.5 Blue Ridge Parkway - Meadows of Dan - 540-745-3378 - Across the Way Productions July 4 - Music at Christopher's Pizza, Band: None of the Above - 7 PM to ?. Special Event: Fireworks and 4th of July Party 9 PM. Buffet Breakfast - Saturday, July 4 , 2009, 7 AM to 10 AM. All you can eat eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, baked apples, coffee and juice by the finest cooks on the mountain! VFW and ladies auxiliary sponsoring, held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway. July 4 - Chateau Morrisette Winery MUSIC ON THE WINERY COURTYARD (ENTERTAINMENT IS FREE) GRILL OPEN 12-4 PM Event Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Come out and enjoy live music on the winery courtyard. Bring your own seating. Wine and food are available for purchase at our D*Vine grill. Entertainment: Al Coffey & Billy Jo Chambers Nicknamed the "Swiss Army Musician", Al Coffey might gift you with any combination of instruments. He enjoys the guitar, slide blues guitar, fiddle, harmonica, flute, saxophone, mandolin, bass, percussion and trumpet! Billy Jo Chambers Exposed to and nurtured on greats like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, Billy Joe has played guitar since he was 12. Following in the footsteps of his father's band, he is familiar to country music lovers in Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee. Performing original songs and favorite old school tunes, Billy Joe is a classic! July 4 - 4th of July Bluegrass and Old Time Music Competition, Vesta Community Center, Community Drive, Vesta. Bring your lawn chairs, Competition in Banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bands, vocals and flat footing. Games, food, quilt show. July 5 - Chateau Morrisette - SUNDAY SOUNDS: MUSIC ON THE WINERY COURTYARD 1-4PM (ENTERTAINMENT IS FREE) GRILL OPEN 12-4 PM Come out and enjoy live music on the winery courtyard. Bring your own seating. Wine and food are available for purchase at our D*Vine grill. July 5th entertainment: Scott Perry performs and creates acoustic blues that are relevant in today's fast paced, high-tech world. With his National steel-bodied guitar and repertoire of traditional and original acoustic blues, Scott turns any performance into an intimate celebration of this powerful music. www.ohpapa.com Spagetti Supper - Monday, July 6, 4 PM to 7 PM, sponsored by VFW and ladies auxiliary, all you can eat spagetti, salad, garlic toast, coffee or iced tea and dessert. Held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway 58. For more about what's happening in Meadows of Dan click here. The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area. The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Patrick County, Virginia web sites also offer more information about the area and events.