The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce will host the 31st Annual Virginia State Peach Festival on Friday August 17 at Dehart Park in Stuart.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with music starting at 5 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission is free.

Festivities will include live musical performances by Big Daddy Love and Sunset Drive.

Peach themed food, ice cream, drinks, peach cobbler and ripe peaches will be offered for sale as well as other great festival food and beer.

Art and craft vendors will be on site as well, and swimming will be available for a fee.

Bring those homemade peach cobblers to enter our Cobbler Contest, and you will not want to miss the new event of the Peach Pit Spit Contest.

No coolers are allowed at the rain or shine event.

The Peach Festival is one of several events during the weekend of Peaches and Pickin in Patrick County, with ample opportunities to celebrate all things peaches and music August 17-18.

Start the weekend off at the Stuart Farmers’ Market Friday morning 8 a.m. to noon. Stop by for locally grown peaches, baked items and other vegetables and fruits and enjoy the 31st annual Virginia State Peach Festival on Friday.

Venture up the mountain on Saturday for the Folk Fair in Meadows of Dan with music, vendors and Patrick County peaches.

Get ready to toe tap Saturday night with the Patrick County Music Association’s monthly concert for some great banjo and guitar pickin’.

Event sponsors include the Virginia Tourism Corporation, American Electric Power (AEP), Blue Ridge Bank, Carter Bank & Trust, Surrey Bank and Trust and Stuart Tire & Auto Center.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce at (276)694-6012 or visit www.patrickchamber.com.