Time To Party: Labor Day Events

Music, Arts And More On Tap For Labor Day In The Mountain Empire

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 today through Sept. 6 with events including a weigh-cut chainsaw contest at noon Sept. 5 and a performance by The Challengers on the Depot Stage at 8 p.m., also on Sept. 5.
In Smyth County, meanwhile, one of the region’s longest-running festivals takes place this weekend in Saltville, Va. Look for a parade on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Saltville’s 39th annual Labor Day Celebration.
“It’s like a gathering-in of all who had lived there,” said Charlie Bill Totten, Saltville’s director of tourism. “Even if you didn’t do any publicity, we would still have people coming back for a year or two looking for the Saltville Labor Day celebration.”

UP IN WYTHE
Just beyond, you’ll find the third annual Grahamfest kicking off in Wythe County, Va., at the allegedly haunted Major Grahams Mansion, just off I-81 Exit 84.
This year’s event marks the premier of festival founder Josiah “J.C.” Weaver’s new “Comin’ Home” CD.
“It’s about my life and being at home and about my family and my mother,” Weaver said.
This festival, nestled on the fields of a Wythe County farm, grew from a gathering of friends a few years ago and will this year include tributes to ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Eagles and Roy Orbison.
Local artists are also being showcased at the “Song of the Mountain Stage,” with performances by The Harris Brothers, Jimmy Edmonds, Nothin’ Fancy, Cana Ramblers and Stevie Barr.
Still, said event organizer Mary Lin Brewer, the musical highlight arrives with the grand finale on Sunday evening when Weaver performs his “Mountain Rock Music” show.
To the east, meanwhile, about 500,000 people are expected to pass through Hillsville during the four-day VFW Labor Day Gun Show and Flea Market. The market opens early Friday morning and closes Monday afternoon.
“And it’s got anything you want,” said frequent flea market browser Steve Rhodes of Christiansburg, Va.

DAZE TO PRAISE
In Castlewood, Va., the Russell County Fair features live music, contests and carnival rides, with performers including old-time mountain music legend Ralph Stanley (Sept. 9, 8 p.m.) The fair opens on Sept. 4 and also includes performances by Buddy Jewel (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.) and Rhett Akins (Sept. 12, 8 p.m.).
Scott County’s small town of Duffield, Va., meanwhile, is throwing its annual bash, “Duffield Daze,” on Sept. 4-6 with an arts and crafts show running 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday plus a parade, car show, goat show, kiddie tractor pull and more.
“We have a lot of people who left from here, and it’s kind of a reunion for them,” 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.
“We always have five high school bands,” Fannon said. “We have seven color guards and Miss Kingsport and Miss Duffield. And we have 12 floats – homemade floats.”
Sunday afternoon, Fannon encourages everyone to meet at nearby Natural Tunnel State Park for the Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival. It runs 5-10:30 p.m.
Joining Smiddy on stage this year is Tim White and the VW Boys plus the Edwards Family Band.
But, listen – there’s still more.Stop by Dickenson County: Gospel music is on tap all weekend at Breaks Interstate Park with performers at the Tri-State Gospel Singing.

LABOR DAY EVENTS

GUEST RIVER RALLY
Where: Coeburn, Wise County, Va.
When: Sept. 3-6
Fast facts: Community festival features games, food, music, art show and craft vendors on Front Street.
Schedule highlights: Storytelling event at Lays Hardware Building starts at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3, with Larry and Gayleen Smith. Friday features bluegrass music at the Lays Hardware Building (7:30 p.m.) and an “Appreciation Day” with free food at the corner of Front and Grand streets. Saturday events include Methodist Men’s Group pancake breakfast inside the Train Depot (7 a.m.) and performers including The Immortals with a “Wild West Shootout on Front Street,” starting at 11 a.m.
Other events include the 11th Annual Guest River Rally Bike Ride (10 a.m.); children’s games at Ringley Park (1-5 p.m.); and a talent show (3-6 p.m.). Sunday’s events include train rides for kids; a concert by the Big Red Rug Band (2 p.m.); and the annual duck race (5:30 p.m.).
Travel time from Bristol: 55 minutes
Getting there: From Bristol, follow I-81 north to Exit 14 (Abingdon), then follow U.S. 58-A west to Coeburn.
Phone: (276) 395-3323
Web: http://www.townofcoeburn.com

RUSSELL COUNTY FAIR & HORSE SHOW
Where: Castlewood, Russell County, Va.
When: Sept. 4-12
Fast facts: Features carnival rides, agricultural competitions, live music. Held at Russell County Fairgrounds, Castlewood.
Travel time from Bristol: 40 minutes
Getting there: From Bristol, follow I-81 north to Exit 14 at Abingdon, then follow U.S. 19 north to Hansonville and U.S. 58A west to Castlewood.
Phone: (276) 889-8041
Web: http://www.russellcountyfair.com

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION
Where: Saltville, Va. Concerts held at the Town Square.
When: Sept. 4-7
Fast facts: Features music, arts, crafts and games. Open house also held at the Museum of the Middle Appalachians.
Schedule highlights: Friday’s events include evening concert by Common Ground (6 p.m.) and Sundance (8 p.m.). Saturday’s events include parade (2 p.m.) and concert performances by Idlewild (4 p.m.); Travelers Revision (6 p.m.); Rick K and the Allnighters (8 p.m.). Fireworks are held at 10 p.m. Sunday’s concert events include local gospel groups and Ivan Parker (7 p.m.). Monday’s performers include Sundance (4 p.m.); Footlights (5:30 p.m.); Tabatha & Southern Fryd (7 p.m.); and Marty Stuart (8:30 p.m.).
Travel time from Bristol: 35 minutes
Getting there: From Bristol, follow I-81 north to Exit 35 at Chilhowie, then follow State Route 107 north to Saltville.
Phone: (276) 496-5342

JOSIAH’S GRAHAMFEST-USA
Where: Grahams Forge, Wythe County, Va. (Max Meadows)
When: Sept. 5-6. Festival gates open 3 p.m.; music runs to midnight.
Fast facts: Features kid’s playground, ghost walk tours, beer and wine garden, primitive camping, and arts and crafts vendors.
Schedule highlights: Concerts include Sharp Dressed Men: ZZ top Tribute (Saturday, 5 p.m.) and Long Island Street Survivors: A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd featuring original Skynyrd members Artimus Pyle and JoJo Billingsley (Saturday, 9 p.m.); and 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute (Sunday, 6:30 p.m.) and Josiah and his Mountain Rock Music (Sunday, 8:30 p.m.).
Tickets: $50 two-day tickets or $40 for one-day pass
Travel time from Bristol: One hour and 20 minutes
Getting there: From Bristol, follow I-81 north to Exit 84. Then follow signs to the festival grounds at the Major Graham Mansion, 2115 Major Grahams Road.
Phone: (276) 284-0006
Web: http://www.grahamfestusa.com

VFW GUN SHOW & FLEA MARKET
Where: Hillsville, Carroll County, Va.
When: Sept. 4-7
Fast facts: Features about 2,000 flea market vendors. Main market and gun show held at Grover King VFW Post No. 1115, off U.S. 58.
Travel time from Bristol: One hour and 40 minutes
Getting there: From Bristol, follow I-81 north to the I-77 crossroads at Exit 81 near Fort Chiswell, then follow I-77 south for about 20 minutes to Exit 14 (Hillsville). The flea market is along U.S. 58 and runs for more than a mile through town.
Tickets: $1 admission to VFW lot, featuring 1,000 vendors
Phone: (276) 728-2911

DUFFIELD DAZE
Where: Duffield, Scott County, Va.
When: Sept. 4-6
Fast facts: Arts, crafts and flea market. Main events held at industrial park near tents.
Schedule highlights: Friday night includes street dance at Food Country parking lot (7-9 p.m.) with Jim Gates and the Key Keepers. Breakfast at Thomas Village Baptist Church (7:30 a.m.). Saturday highlights include craft show (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.); parade (10:30 a.m.); car show (1 p.m.); country music by Highway 72 (1 p.m.); tractor show and rodeo (1 p.m.); kiddie lawnmower race (1 p.m.); cornhole tournament (1 p.m.); music by Barefoot Movement (2:30 p.m.); and antique tractor pull (4 p.m.). Sunday’s events include arts and crafts show (noon-4 p.m.); food vendors and games (2-4:30 p.m.).
Travel time from Bristol: One hour
Getting there: From Bristol, follow U.S. 58 west for about one hour to Duffield at a crossroads of U.S. 23 and U.S. 58/421, about four miles north of Clinchport.
Phone: (276) 431-2428

TRI-STATE GOSPEL SINGING
Where: Breaks Interstate Park, Dickenson County, Va.
When: Sept. 5-7
Fast facts: Dozens of gospel singers performing, including Living Waters Trio, Kevin Spencer and Friends, The Jackson Family and The Crawfords.
Schedule highlights: Music on Saturday and Sunday runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Music on Monday is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Travel time from Bristol: Two hours
Getting there: From Bristol, follow U.S. 19 north to Rosedale. Turn left on State Route 80 and follow about 44 miles to Breaks.
Tickets: Free
Phone: (276) 865-4413
Web: http://www.breakspark.com

PAPA JOE SMIDDY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Natural Tunnel State Park, Scott County, Va.
When: Sept. 6, 5-10:30 p.m.
Fast facts: Music festival features old-time Appalachian tunes and bluegrass. Bring quilts, blankets and chairs.
Schedule highlights: Performances include the VW Boys; Edwards Family; Papa Joe Smiddy and Reedy Creek.
Tickets: $15 general admission at the gate. Children 12 and younger are free with paying adult.
Travel time from Bristol: One hour
Getting there: From Bristol, follow U.S. Highway 58 west (past Gate City) for about one hour to Clinchport. Continue north on U.S. 23/58/421 and follow signs to Natural Tunnel State Park, off State Route 871.
Phone: (276) 940-2674