Radford’s annual fall festival, Craft and Draft, is returning this year from Oct. 22-25 with a new, virtual look.
Locally made jewelry, pottery, clothing, letterpress and woodworking are just some of the featured items that will be available this year as the event moves online. With handmade items featured on www.CraftandDraftVA.com. Website visitors can shop from the featured local artists and makers any time during those dates, all from the comfort of their own home.
Patrons can browse vendors, acquire discount codes and shop directly with the artists. Visitors can also discover and listen to local bands and musicians that were scheduled to perform if the event were held in person. Gate 10, a large bluegrass group out of the NRV, and Jo Jo Stockton, a blues guitarist and singer from Roanoke, will be featured on the website.
Now in its sixth year, Craft and Draft is known for its large array of handcrafted artisans, makers and crafters, live music, festival food and a selection of craft beer on tap. Event organizer Mountain Trotter Arts made the decision to put the in-person event on hold due to current pandemic conditions and instead will host a new virtual market version.
“Mountain Trotter Arts wants to continue to provide outlets for artisans in a variety of ways,” said Mountain Trotter Arts Executive Director Lauri Murphy. “We know things look a little different this year, but our organization is adapting and discovering new ways to bring the arts to our community and to continue to support artisans and crafters. Handcrafted artisans, small businesses and performing artists are part of our backbone, and we need to continue to support them, even if we can’t do it in person this year.”
Craft and Draft Virtual Market will feature a variety of modern and indie artists, crafters, and makers all on one central website, www.craftanddraftva.com. Radford Info & Welcome Center (VisitRadford.com) has partnered with Mountain Trotter Arts and Craft and Draft Virtual Market to provide online visitors with highlights of Radford’s craft beer scene including beer pairings and recommendations from local restaurants and pubs.
Craft and Draft Virtual Market links can be found on Facebook and Instagram and with the hashtag #CraftandDraft2020. To discover more information about Mountain Trotter Arts and its array of local events, visit www.mountaintrotterarts.com.
Craft and Draft will return to Glencoe Mansion Museum and Gallery in the fall of 2021.
