Hi Patrick,
Director of Economic Development and Tourism
I hope all is well and life has been good to you. I am excited about the season we are in. This week, or I should say the weekend, marks the unofficial start to the summer vacation season. Many of you are planning Memorial Day Celebrations. We have a major event scheduled for this upcoming weekend. Dominion Valley Park will host its annual Gospel Music Festival from May 23 to 25. The weekend will feature seven artists, including The Chuck Wagon Gang, The Carolina Band, The Churchmen, and more. Camping is available!
This Saturday, several events are also scheduled to take place. Saturday music is back at Villa Appalaccia. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon listening to great music and a glass of their excellent wines. Join the Willis Gap Community Center for their monthly Oldies Jam, featuring music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, along with dancing. Doors open at 5:30. Hot dogs, drinks, and other snacks will be available for purchase. PCMA’s Free May show features Lonesome Heart, with special guests Barry Collins & The Mudflappers. Doors open at five and music starts at 6. Join us in Stuart, VA at The Hooker Building, next door to the Rotary Building.
Come with us to Fairy Stone State Park to experience the beginnings of Bluegrass music and follow its evolution as it traveled across the ocean and settled in the Appalachian Mountains. The event will trace the origin of this style of music back to its roots and explore the influence of the Scottish, Irish, and English pioneers who settled along the Appalachian Mountains on its development. The Bluegrass band, the Kitchen Pickers, will play representative songs relevant to our area on Saturday, May 24th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Many more activities are available for you and our guests to enjoy throughout the county.
As we prepare to join family and friends this weekend, let’s not forget the most essential part of it: Memorial Day. A federal holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Without the brave men and women who served, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we have. So, fire up your grills, eat your favorite foods, listen to some great music, and enjoy your freedom, but don’t forget to offer your thoughts, prayers, and an attitude of thankfulness for those brave souls who lost their lives to protect ours. Remember all who served. All gave some, and some gave all. May God Bless the United States of America!!!!
Come, get lost and find yourself here, in beautiful Patrick County!!!
Love ya!!
James Houchins
Director of Economic Development and Tourism
