About the 47th Annual Bluemont Fair
By Deborah Snyder
Bluemont Fair BLUEMONT VA - The sleepy Blue Ridge village of Bluemont in western-most Loudoun County, Virginia, is bustling with activity as it prepares for the 47th ANNUAL BLUEMONT FAIR, September 17 & 18, 2016 from 10AM to 5PM both days, rain or shine. Admission is still only $5/adults, under 10 free, with free parking available. One-way traffic and crosswalks will be enforced in the village to ensure pedestrian safety. As always, the beautifully renovated Schoolhouse, grounds, and the entire village, will be alive with music, crafts, activities, and food. Bluemont's distinctive logo reflecting this year's theme: “ Harvest Moon”, which features a larger-than-life moon with fox and pumpkins in the foreground created by Denise Kupiszewski of Shepherdstown, WV, will grace the Bluemont Fair’s distinctive poster, t-shirt, mug, and other fair memorabilia. Denise is a two-time winner of the poster contest. Her very popular design, “The Birds of Bluemont” won in 2011 for the 42nd Annual Bluemont Fair. Denise, also an accomplished potter known as The Mud Peddler, is a featured vendor in the Juried Crafts, and will gladly sign copies of her beautiful poster design. Always mindful of the natural beauty of the area and the need to provide good stewardship, Bluemont continues a “Green” approach to the Fair. Whenever possible recycled materials are used and easily identifiable receptacles encourage recycling of bottles and cans. Re-usable shopping bags with an abbreviated rendering of Birds of Bluemont logo will be available for sale at a nominal price at various sites throughout the fair to encourage fairgoers to reduce use of plastic bags. An exciting new feature this year is an authentically replicated Indian Village in Stone's Field, designed to educate children (and adults!) about Native American culture. Funded through an award from the Virginia Commission for the Arts: Artists in Education Program to Sanctuary on the Trail Inc., (and supplemented by a generous donation from Ken and Julia Falke of Boulder Crest Retreat, and additional grants and donations), a residency collaboration between Sanctuary on the Trail. Inc. and the Village Montessori School created the village, which will be open to the public during both days of the Fair. Come celebrate with dance, regalia, storytelling, survival skills, living history exhibitors, trading post vendors, North American Bushcraft School, music from Dark Water Rising, and Military veteran and uniformed services tribute. Purchase authentic Native American Indian jewelry and watch these artisans create unique works of art. Event times at the Indian Village can be found within the Fair schedule at www.HarvestGathering.org. Requested donation for entrance to the Indian Village is $3 per person or $15 per family. Also new this year: Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness is opening up the retreat grounds to wagon rides, provided without cost to fair-goers both days! Rides begin between Epling's and the Old Dance Hall and will afford an opportunity for visitors to disembark near Snickersville Academy, tour one of the Retreat's cabins, or simply return to the beginning point. Many thanks to Nolan Barzee for providing his draft horses and to Browning Equipment. Fair weekend begins with the 38th Bluemont Road Race, a fun and affordable 10K race, beginning at 8AM. Terrain on the course is rolling at times, with a total ascent of 222 feet over mostly gravel and paved roads, beginning and ending at Great County Farms. Registration is $30 until midnight 9/14/16, and $35 on race day (exact change or check, please!) The awards ceremony for top 3 finishers male and female and age group will immediately follow and each participant will receive a Bluemont Race t-shirt with this year’s distinctive logo. More information and application can be found at http://bluemontfair.org/activities/10k-race/ The 25th Annual Pickle-Making/Pie-Baking Contest will take place on Saturday, September 17 at the E.E. Lake Store. Entries, labeled with the creator’s name and “contestant’s” title out of sight, should be delivered to the E.E. Lake Store by 11AM. Judging will take place at noon with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for two categories of pie (fruit/other) and pickles (cucumber/other). First place winners in each category will receive a commemorative pickle or pie plate. All winners will receive ribbons and bragging rights. Afterwards slices of the pie “contestants” will be available for purchase at a nominal fee. More information can be found at www.bluemontfair.org Fairgoers can also step right next door into the main section of E.E. Lake Store for some delicious fresh baked goods and old-fashioned canned delights, along with Bluemont memorabilia Wine Tasting and Beer Garden, combined the last two years, was such a success we're doing it again!! Enjoy your favorite libation in a relaxed setting with music (bluegrass, blues and brews, oh my!), gourmet treats, and stunning views of the Blue Ridge. Entrance to the Wine and Beer Garden is free with admission to the fair, however you must be 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages. Souvenir beer and wine glasses will be sold for $5, with $1 for tastings and $5 for filled glasses. This is a great venue in which to relax mid-day or before heading home---by means of a designated driver, of course! You will also be able to purchase sealed products for home consumption. For history lovers, Snickersville Academy, a log cabin built in 1825 which was the first schoolhouse and house of worship in the village, will once again be open for free tours 10am-4pm both days. The Hatcher family generously gave it to Friends of Bluemont in 2010 and the group has completely restored it and landscaped the grounds. In the main part of the village there are blue banners identifying some of the old buildings. A self-guided walking tour utilizing Palm Cards showing major points of historical interest will be available at the Bluemont General Store, the Post Office, and at the waiting station for rides into Boulder Crest (between Epling's and the Old Dance Hall). Fairgoers can use their smart phone to scan QR code at bottom of card for more details on these historic buildings. Both days of the fair feature food, crafts, music and lots of activities for all ages throughout the historic village. On the Old Schoolhouse grounds will be scores of Juried Crafters displaying their wares. The wide array of crafts and original art available for purchase include photography, hand-made brooms, baskets, spinning and weaving, birdhouses, wood carving, ceramics and pottery, jewelry, dolls, fiber arts, soaps and lotions, and much more. Many crafters offer demonstrations, including paper-maker, as well as wood carvers, basket weavers, potters, word turners, quilters, and broom makers. This year marks the 16th year since the Fair initiated the Blue Ribbon Award program among Juried Crafts, which in addition to the very large blue ribbon includes free space at the next fair. The first Artisans to win were were the Crosens of Hamilton, VA with Primitive Art. The 2015 winners, Wood Eye Wood Products (WEWP), the Schoonovers of Middletown, Maryland, will be present this year with their hand crafted objects and furnishings made of “found” natural wood. Plentiful Food Vendors will offer a variety of foods and treats, from down-home to international. Antiques and other collectible treasures will be displayed by a variety of vendors at the Antique Flea Market. Be sure to stop by and see the alpacas, llamas, and sheep in the Fiber Field, and consider purchasing articlesmade from their prized wool. Members of the local weavers guild will also be present to demonstrate their craft and provide hands-on opportunities. Ever-popular |
Organ Grinder, Terry Bender and his mechanical friends, will perform musical selections on his large German street organ. Local bee-keepers will once again bring their working honeybee colony-a fair favorite-with many varieties of honey and bee-related items for sale. The Gardener's Shed will offer native pollinator plants, cut flowers, dried flowers, natural products made from plants, and other garden-related objects and art. Bluemont’s railroad history is celebrated with an extensive Model Railroad Display in the Gardener's Shed behind the Community Center. The models come complete with replicas of Bluemont’s historic buildings. A special hands-on set will also be available for “engineers” of all ages to operate. Be sure to stop by and tour the genuine red Caboose ensconced on actual tracks behind the old schoolhouse. Once again the renovated Mill at the end of Railroad St., near the site of the long-gone Bluemont Train Station, will be open and offer an exhibit of railroad memorabilia. Also in attendance will be Rosemary, of Hair Cuts by Rosemary, to provide new coiffures to fairgoers. Be sure to also visit the Art Show and Sale, and Children’s Art Exhibit in the Community Center. All young artists are invited to submit works for display at the Children's Art Exhibit: more information at www.bluemontfair.org The Bluemont Fair's 2016 Music lineup features a veritable smorgasbord of pickers and grinners, songstresses and rockers, and dancers--guaranteed to provide family fun entertainment for all. Many of the Bluemont Fair's performers call Loudoun County home. Head to the Community Center Stage for local gospel music, songwriters, dance troupes, country music, and a few sets by up-and -coming youth performers. As visitors make their way through the fair they should look out for the Chorus of the Old Dominion as they serenade passers-by. On Sunday at 1 pm, the audience is invited to participate in a Square Dance at the Community Center stage courtesy of Jake and the Burtones. No nxperience necessary, just show up and the Caller will direct you through the fun and simple dance steps. For more information about the musicians and schedule, visit www.bluemontfair.org The Bluemont General Store at the northern end of the village is a 150+ year old country store established prior to the Civil War and in operation almost continually thereafter, will offer the modern convenience of an ATM machine, in addition to food (including hormone-free milk in glass bottles, fresh eggs from the store-owned farm, local grass-fed organic beef, ice-cream, and sandwiches), souvenirs, and more music. One of the most charming aspects of the weekend is the extraordinary Children’s Fair, Bluemont’s gift to its youngest visitors. This year it is located behind the Community Center and will offer face painting, clowns, farm animals and lots of hands-on activities for kids of all ages, most free of charge. New this is year is a Scavenger Hunt that will challenge the kids to get out and find people and places in other areas of the Fair. For a small additional fee, pony rides are available nearby as well as the popular climbing wall. The 150+ year old Old Stone Church across from the Old Schoolhouse will house two very popular events. In the Sanctuary, an extensive Quilt Exhibit, provided by the Waterford Quilters Guild, features antique quilts made in the 1880's to new quilts made this year. Come see the contrast and harmony between the two in the beautiful church setting of wooden pews and stained glass windows. This year the star of the show is a queen size raffle quilt called the Wheels of Waterford that has been appraised for $2,500 - only a dollar a ticket! Meanwhile downstairs in the church basement the traditional Slide Shows of Bluemont’s past: “When the Trains Came to Bluemont” and “Bluemont: 1864” will be presented at 12:30, 1 and 1:30pm both days. The first show describes Bluemont’s heyday during the early 1900s when it was the last stop on the W&OD Railroad, now known mostly as the name of the bike trail which sits on its track bed. The second show describes an actual Civil War skirmish that occurred right in the center of the village! The Bluemont Fair is sponsored by the Bluemont Citizens Association. Proceeds go toward paying for the village’s street lights, providing scholarships for local students, improvements to the village’s historic buildings such as the E.E. Lake Store and the Snickersville Academy, and community beautification. In addition, the BCA donates to local service organizations and provides display opportunities at the fair for local non- profit organizations, including The Friends of Bluemont, Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors, and the Snickersville Turnpike Association. Absolutely No Pets (except service animals) admitted. Bluemont is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge on Snickersville Turnpike (Rt. 734) about one hour west of the District of Columbia, 17 miles west of Leesburg and east of Winchester via Route 7. For more information, call: 540-554-2376 (voice mail), write: Bluemont Fair, P.O.Box 217, Bluemont, VA 20135, or visit www.bluemontfair.org |