Blacksburg’s Steppin’ Out has been chosen along with a long-running literary festival, the largest horse parade in the U.S., Vikings on motorcycles, watermelons and songwriting celebrations by the Southeast Tourism Society, the STS Top 20, as a top twenty events of August.
In its 39th year, Steppin’ Out is being held this weekend. Inn announcement of the honor from Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. said that travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States.
Events considered for the STS Top 20 recognition must be at least three years old and have attendance of at least 1,000.
Steppin’ Out features over 200 artists and crafts people from around the United States selling unique handcrafted items.
Downtown Blacksburg merchants also hold their much-awaited final clearance sidewalk sales during Steppin’ Out. The festival foods you love are provided by downtown restaurants.
Twenty-five excellent musical acts will perform all afternoon and well into the evening, both Friday and Saturday.
“The Top 20 Festival and Event Program is celebrating 34 years of spotlighting the best festivals and events in the Southeast. Our goal is to provide well-deserved accolades for the dedicated event organizers and additional media exposure for their events,” said Monica Smith, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society. “The Southeast offers so many unique, year-round, opportunities for attendees to create memories and support an industry that is an economic generator for its community.”
STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Roswell, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting travel and tourism within 12 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
For a list of all STS Top 20, visit www.travelmediapressroom.com/sts/summer-2019-top-20-events
See Steppin’ Out details and schedule at www.blacksburgsteppin’out.com
-Staff reports