Larry Hypes
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG – Fun, sun and a 250th anniversary celebration.
Downtown Christiansburg’s annual Heritage Day Festival, held Saturday, Aug. 15, was a gala gathering of musicians, crafters, food vendors, draft horses and hayrides, children of all ages and a special visit from the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience featuring the state’s pivotal role in the American Revolution.
“Our theme this year was ‘250 years of food and community’ as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Montgomery County and also the 250th birthday of America – both beginning in 1776,” said Sherry Wyatt, Director of Montgomery Museum of Art and History, the sponsor of the event.
Nearly 50 vendors, with dazzling displays of authentic hand-made jewelry, delicious food items and a variety of art, flowers, quilts, metal crafts and other exhibits seemingly had something to offer everyone as hundreds filled the streets around Courthouse Square for the day-long festivities.
“Preserving and promoting our history and heritage in Montgomery County has been a primary focus of Heritage Day,” said MMAH volunteer and board member Dr. Jean Haskell, “and this year it is a special day to commemorate the birth of our country on its 250th anniversary along with our county.”
An entire day of music on the main stage adjacent to the museum, hay rides featuring a giant pair of draft horses, Patrick Henry’s fifth-great-grandson sharing the famed “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech given in Richmond in advance of the Revolution were all highlights of the festival.
“This festival is very good for the town and for displaying these crafts, including a variety of jewelry,” said Ady Watson, an Auburn Middle School student assisting in the HeartistryMade booth featuring hand-crafted clay necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings, etc.
The New River Valley affiliate of 100+ Women Who Care made a special presentation of $10,000 to the Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians (MJAM) which meets weekly during the school year at the museum, offering instruction in traditional music and history.
“We are so pleased to receive this outstanding gift,” said MJAM Director Jason Dilg. “This will allow us to enhance our offerings, specifically by purchasing some small-size instruments which will make the music experience more fun for our younger children. What a great community we live in to have this kind of generosity and willingness to share with others.”
Among the members present from the organization were Martha Ann Stallings, Debbie Sherman Lee, Lynn Brammer, Beth Paterson and Ruth McLaughlin.
“The MJAM group was one of three organizations which made presentations to explain to the group why these resources would benefit their efforts and our members voted to award them the funding. We are pleased to be able to help these children carry on a wonderful local tradition to the next generation,” commented Stallings.
Wyatt, who seemed to be everywhere on the festival grounds, concluded, “Every year Heritage Day is a wonderful event, but with the ‘250’ theme, it has really energized our community and made this tribute even more special.”
A wide variety of local and area sponsors including businesses and civic groups provided generous financial support to the Museum of Art and History to help promote the Heritage Day festivities.
