Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG – The Town of Blacksburg celebrated the longest day of the year with their annual Summer Solstice Festival in Downtown Blacksburg.
Hundreds of residents were out in the sun on Saturday, June 15, 2024 for the 16th annual festival, enjoying the many activities.
Downtown Blacksburg had many options to help residents beat the heat at the Solstice Festival from beer and wine to non-alcoholic drinks, like lemonade, to shaved ice and ice cream. For those who worked up an appetite walking through the many vendor booths, there was food from Cabo Fish Taco, The Cotton Candy Lab, Community Pizza Truck and much more. Downtown Blacksburg Incorporated and their partners ensured there was something for everyone at the Solstice Festival with the Family Fun Zone which housed a water slide, basketball, sun catcher crafts, face painting and multiple inflatables for the young ones to jump around in.
The Main Stage was buzzing with acts and organizations all the way until just after 9 p.m. with music from Solacoustix, Panjammers and other musical groups. The vendors had something for everyone with booths that held: wonderful local art, handmade soaps, homemade snacks and spices, jewelry, clothes, and toys for the children.
At 2 p.m. on the main stage, YES! Science Camp presented their posters of research to the crowd and discussed what their program does for local children. YES! Science Camp stands for Youth Exploring Science and is a program through Virginia Tech where youths can enjoy doing experiments, bonding with people who enjoy science as well, expand their knowledge by working with Virginia Tech professors and students and even tour research laboratories. The young people in front of the main stage at the Summer Solstice Festival were excited to show their work to the community.
The Summer Solstice Festival brought out not just New River Valley residents, but the four-legged residents as well. Many community members enjoyed the festival with their families and pets. With all the Summer Solstice Festival had to offer, residents were enjoying walking through the streets, shopping, mingling and celebrating the longest day of the year.
The actual summer solstice will occur on Thursday, June 20, 2024 where businesses in Blacksburg and Christiansburg will host events, for example, Sweetgrass Yoga who will have a yoga session at sunrise and sunset.