What do daylilies and great bluegrass and old time music have in common?
They all are found in abundance at Wildwood Farms General Store in Floyd, the newest affiliated venue of The Crooked Road.
Affiliated venues represent the best in traditional music gatherings that the region has to offer.
The Crooked Road will present an affiliate banner to Wildwood Farms on Saturday, September 16, at 7:30 p.m.
The music begins at 7 p.m. with the Comptons & Friends, a group that has performed classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel for 30 years.
Wildwood Farms has embraced the region’s musical heritage with their Saturday night bluegrass and old time music performances.
Co-owner Judy Bowman grew up in Meadows of Dan in a family that loved traditional music. “My Mom especially loved the region’s bluegrass and old time music. It’s a very important part of what we do at the store,” said Bowman.
The music began in 2013, and now attracts faithful audiences who love the music as well as the chance to get out on the store’s sizeable dance floor. From 7 to 9 p.m. in the summer, and 6 to 8 p.m. in the winter, the store presents regional and local bluegrass and old time groups and musicians every Saturday.
It also hosts music jam sessions on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month year-round and an antique car cruise-in with the jam on the 3rd Sunday from April to September.
Owners Bob and Judy Bowman began the business growing and selling daylilies. The area around the store is a profusion of color when they are in bloom. In addition to daylilies, the store offers a large variety of garden décor, unique garden items, home décor and gifts.
“Wildwood Farms has become an important gathering place for people in the community,” said Jack Hinshelwood, Crooked Road executive director. “This is one of the most important aspects of the traditional music venues we promote.”
As an Affiliated Venue, Wildwood Farms will be represented in Crooked Road publicity and promotional materials and recognized as a regional destination to trail followers.
The Crooked Road’s mission is to support tourism and economic development in Southwest Virginia by celebrating and preserving this Appalachian region’s unique musical and cultural heritage. A complete listing of the Affiliated Venues and Festivals and the Major Venues of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail can be found at www.thecrookedroad.org.
For more information, call 276-492-2409 or email info@thecrookedroad.org.