Festivals, music and more on tap for holiday weekend

If you’re looking for a party on Labor Day weekend, you’re in luck across the Mountain Empire.

Festivals, celebrations and concerts are getting under way from Natural Tunnel State Park to the hills of Hillsville.

Residents of Coeburn, Va., for one, are getting ready to have fun on the arched bridges spanning the banks of Little Tom’s Creek. There, the annual Guest River Rally runs through Sept. 6 with vendors, kids’ activities and a talent contest in the streets of the Wise County town.

In Smyth County, meanwhile, one of the region’s longest-running festivals takes place this weekend in Saltville, Va.

Look for a parade on Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at Saltville’s annual Labor Day Celebration and extended hours throughout the weekend at the Museum of Middle Appalachians, plus waves to ride at the Wave Pool and a new surface to explore on the Salt Trail.

You’ll also find the Shaker Reunion at Saltville Elementary School on Sept. 4 plus musical performances by Laken Loupe and Daisi Rain (Sept. 4); Gold City (Sept. 5) and Grand Ole Opry star Mel Tillis (Sept. 6).

‘FIELD TO TABLE’

To the east, meanwhile, about 500,000 people are expected to pass through Hillsville, Va., during the four-day VFW Labor Day Gun Show and Flea Market.

The market opens early Friday morning and closes Monday afternoon.

"It’s got anything you want," said frequent flea market browser Steve Rhodes of Christiansburg, Va.

In Castlewood, Va., the Russell County Fair features live music, agricultural contests and carnival rides plus performances by Caiged Angel (Sept. 7, 8 p.m.) and old-time mountain music legend Ralph Stanley (Sept. 8, 8 p.m.).

The fair opens on Sept. 3 and also includes performances by T.G. Sheppard (Sept. 6, 8 p.m.) and Gene Watson (Sept. 10, 8 p.m.).

Also at the fair this year is a series of "Field to Table: Healthy Food Means Healthy Families" speakers, organized by Lou Wallace of St. Paul, Va. Speakers include Chris Disibbio talking about "The Key Ingredients for Life: Food, Fitness and Faith" (Sept. 6, 6 p.m.).

Other speakers include Donna Meade’s "Preparation of Food" (Sept. 7, 11 a.m.); Richard Moyer’s "Plants" (Sept. 7, 6 p.m.); and Tricia Zalewski-Harris, speaking on "Kids Can Cook" (Sept. 10, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.)

‘A REUNION’

Scott County’s small town of Duffield, Va., meanwhile, is throwing its annual bash, "Duffield Daze," on Sept. 4-5 with an arts and crafts show running 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday plus a parade, car show, goat show, kiddie tractor pull and more.

"It’s kind of a reunion," said organizer Kenny Fannon.

Once again, the highlight of the event is the mega-long "Duffield Daze Parade," known to span more than an hour.

Nearby, the Natural Tunnel State Park hosts the Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival on Sept. 5.

But, listen – there’s still more.

Stop by Dickenson County: Gospel music is on tap all weekend (Sept. 4-6) at Breaks Interstate Park with performers at the Tri-State Gospel Singing at the park’s amphitheatre. This year, performers include Keen Mountain Boys, The Horn Family, The Crawfords, Ritchie Rose, Willis Canada and The Berry Family.

LABOR DAY EVENTS

GUEST RIVER RALLY

Where: Coeburn, Wise County, Va.

When: Through Sept. 6

Phone: (276) 395-3323

Web: www.townofcoeburn.com

 RUSSELL COUNTY FAIR & HORSE SHOW

Where: Castlewood, Russell County, Va.

When: Sept. 3-12 

Phone: (276) 889-8041

Web: www.russellcountyfair.com

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION

Where: Saltville, Va. Concerts held at the Town Square.

When: Sept. 3-6 

Phone: (276) 496-5342 

VFW GUN SHOW & FLEA MARKET

Where: Hillsville, Carroll County, Va.

When: Sept. 3-6 

Phone: (276) 728-2911

DUFFIELD DAZE

Where: Duffield, Scott County, Va.

When: Sept. 4-5 

Phone: (276) 431-2428

TRI-STATE GOSPEL SINGING

Where: Breaks Interstate Park, Dickenson County, Va.

When: Sept. 4-6 

Phone: (276) 865-4413

Web: www.breakspark.com