Plans are completed for the 12th annual Virginia Covered Bridge Festival to be held on Saturday, June 18 in Woolwine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is no admission fee and free parking is available near both the Jacks Creek Covered Bridge and former site of the Bob White Covered Bridge.
The festival is a proud 2016 partner of the Crooked Road’s Mountain of Music Homecoming. More information regarding this participation is available at www.mtnsofmusic.com
Live musical performances can be heard throughout the day at both sites. The lineup includes bluegrass, gospel, country, rhythm and blues, and Americana music. Performers at the Jacks Creek site will be Les Moore, Sergio Gonzales, Ted Alt, and F.A.R.M. T.E.A.M. Entertainment at the Bob White site include Vernon Harris and Shelley Roberts, The Comptons, Bluegrass and Clover, and The Wildmans.
Proceeds from the sixth annual Covered Bridge 5K Run/Walk to be held early in the day will benefit youth athletic programs and athletes at Stuart Elementary. For further information, contact Stephanie Vipperman at (276) 694-3945 or stephanievipperman@embarqmail.com
A cruise-In will be held at the old Wood’s Garage on Route 8 between the two bridge sites. Come out and bring your favorite vehicle for display and enjoy the fun.
The horse and mule drawn wagon rides between the bridge sites are always a highly anticipated focal point of the festival, and will again be offered at a small fee.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) will present a program at the Jacks Creek Bridge several times during the festival. This program will include various demonstrations such as the proper firing of a cannon and the responsibilities of each man on the cannon crew.
Another favorite activity at the festival is the “duck race” in the river near Jacks Creek Bridge. The race will take place at 3:30 p.m., with a first, second and third place prize awarded to winners. Tickets are available for $1 each and may be purchased at the festival.
Numerous artisan, craft and food vendors will be on site in the field near Jacks Creek Bridge. Vendor spaces are still available; for further information, contact 276-930-2578.
Other events include an inflatable bouncer for children, as well as a petting zoo.
Commemorative tee-shirts depicting the bridges will be available for sale at the festival. The committee will also offer the Bob White Covered Bridge ornament again this year.
Patrick County is proud to claim its heritage associated with the historical covered bridges and of its local festival which was officially recognized as a state event during the 2007 session of the Virginia General Assembly. Jacks Creek bridge spans the Smith River and is located just off Route 8 north on Jacks Creek Road in the Woolwine area. A short distance away is the former site of the Bob White bridge just off Elamsville Road.
The public is invited to attend the festival and “experience the simple life” which showcases the covered bridge sites and surrounding area. The festival is hosted and manned by volunteers from the Smith River Rescue Squad, Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department, the Patrick County Tourism Office, and community residents and supporters. Additional help is always needed and all citizens of the area are encouraged to join in and assist in promoting these local treasures.
Further information is available at www.facebook.com/virginiacoveredbridgefestival ,the county’s tourism website at www.visitpatrickcounty.org , or by calling 276-930-2578.
