Craft & Draft, a beloved annual Radford festival will be back this year with a new look. Locally made jewelry, pottery, clothing, letterpress and woodworking are just some of the featured items that will be available this year as the event moves online. From October 22-25, 2020 hand-made items will be featured on www.CraftandDraftVA.com. Website visitors can shop from the featured local artists and makers any time during those dates-all from the comfort of their own home!
Now in its sixth year, Craft and Draft is known for its large array of handcrafted artisans, makers and crafters, live music, festival food and a selection of craft beer on tap. Event organizer MountainTrotter Arts, made the decision to put the in-person event on hold due to current pandemic conditions but instead will host a new Virtual Market version of the popular festival.
“MountainTrotter Arts wants to continue to provide outlets for artisans in a variety of ways. We know things look a little different this year, but our organization is adapting and discovering new ways to bring the arts to our community and to continue to support artisans and crafters,” says MountainTrotter Arts Executive Director Lauri Murphy. She continues, “Handcrafted artisans, small businesses, performing artists are part of our backbone – and we need to continue to support them, even if we can’t do it in person this year.”
Craft and Draft Virtual Market will feature a variety of modern and indie artists, crafters, and makers all on one central website, www.craftanddraftva.com . From Craft and Draft’s website, patrons can browse vendors, acquire discount codes, and shop directly with the artists. Visitors can also discover and listen to local bands and musicians that were scheduled to perform if the event were held in person. Artists from the original lineup, Gate 10, a large bluegrass group out of the NRV, and Jo Jo Stockton, a blues guitarist & singer from Roanoke will be featured on the website.
Radford Info & Welcome Center (VisitRadford.com) has partnered with MountainTrotter Arts & Craft and Draft Virtual Market and will provide online visitors with highlights of Radford’s craft beer scene including beer pairings and recommendations from local restaurants and pubs.
Craft & Draft Virtual Market links can be found on Facebook and Instagram and with the hashtag #CraftandDraft2020. To discover more information about MountainTrotter Arts and its array of local events, please visit www.mountaintrotterarts.com. Craft and Draft will return to Glencoe Mansion Museum and Gallery in Fall of 2021.
