The 20th annual Meadows of Dan Folk Fair is scheduled for Saturday, August 17. The event will span from the Meadows of Dan Baptist Church to the Meadows of Dan Community Center, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year, the Meadows of Dan Community Association has partnered with the Meadows of Dan Ruritan Club, celebrating the Ruritan’s 75th anniversary and the fair’s 20th anniversary.
Trinity Goad, president of the association, said this year marks the Ruritan’s 75th anniversary and it’s the 20th anniversary for the fair.
“They asked if they could do a little thing during our festival and they provided a band for the closing,” he said. The Ruritans plan to serve some cake.
Leftover biscuits will be offered at the Meadows of Dan Community Center from 2-4 p.m., Goad said, adding that “we will start the morning at Maberry Church with a history of the church, provided by Jeff Garrison and Mike Gillette.
A co-owner of Villa Appalachia Winery will offer a presentation about wine at the Meadows of Dan Community Center, and “we will also have the Sauerkraut Band at Primitive Coffee, the Country Boys will be performing at the Community Center, Villa Appalachia will have Jazz Sounds of the Triquetra, and we will finish our day with an Old Fashioned Singing at Concord Church, located on Concord Road in Meadows of Dan,” Goad said.
“Vendors will be on site selling items such as metal cut outs, crochet items, handmade soaps, lotions, jewelry, and local authors Tom Perry and Bonnie Turner will be onsite,” Goad said, adding that Stanburn Winery will be “selling their award-winning wines. This is the last year that Stanburn Winery will be in attendance” because the winery previously announced plans to cease operations.
Folk Fair schedule of events
The 20th annual Meadows of Dan Folk Fair on Saturday, August 17, will feature activities and performances to cover every age group. A smattering includes:
- 9:30 a.m.: Mike Gillette and Jeff Garrison will present a history of the Mayberry Church at the Mayberry Presbyterian Church.
- 10:30 a.m.: A presentation about wine from Villa Appalachia Winery will take place at the community center.
- 12-2 p.m.: The Country Boys will perform.
- 1-4 p.m.: The jazz group Triquetra will entertain guests at Villa Appalachia Winery.
- 2 p.m.: A celebration for 75 years of Ruritans will begin at the community center, followed by a performance.
- 5 p.m.: old-fashioned singing at Concord Church.
- Throughout the day: A prayer tent will be situated at Meadows of Dan Baptist Church; sheep will be sheared, and peach butter-making will be underway at Jane’s Café.
- Approximately 30 vendors will participate in the folk fair, and there will be free activities for kids.
- Meadows of Dan Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will host its annual fish fry, and food vendors such as Shan’s Concessions, LG Confections, and Wacky Waco Waffle will be on-site.
“Come hungry, because we will have food for sale by the Meadows of Dan Elementary School with their annual Fish Fry. Shans Concessions will be around with their food truck, we will also have LG Confections, along with local baker Monica Hughes, owner of Olivia’s Goodies, who will offer her handmade” confections, he said.
Also, sheep will be sheared throughout the day, and a fiber tent will be located at Poppy’s, Goad said, adding “preserve making the old-time way in the parking lot of Jane’s Café.”
“We will also have bouncy things for the kids, and all of the events are free,” he added.
While he notes that weather is always the determining factor in how many people show up, Goad said there’s usually at least 300-1,000 people at each folk fair.
“Last year we had 960 people that came through town,” he said.
The Reynolds Homestead will provide a shuttle service. Parking is available at the Meadows of Dan Baptist Church and in the grassy area of Frontier Farm and Home Center, LLC.
For more details, call Goad at (540) 230-7943.
