Fall Virginia festivals are held in many mountain towns.
Viriginia offers a large variety of settings for fall festivals and craft shows. The mountains offer the opportunity to enjoy clean air away from the cities, as well as some late fall skiing opportunities. The beaches offers one last chance to enjoy the water and beach atmosphere before vendors and some hotels close for the winter season. These locations, as well as the areas in between feature festivals that celebrate the crafts, food, and wines that are commonly found in the state of Virginia.
Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival
The Vegetarian Festival is held in late September at Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. Celebrating its fourteenth year in 2010, this festival combines the celebration of vegetarian food and care for abandoned pets. he Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival is one of the largest vegetarian festivals in the United States according to the event's website, and averages 6,000 guests per year. Admission is free to the festival and includes free food samples. Along with the vegetarian food, the festival also features an adoption fair operated by multiple pet rescue organizations. Dogs and cats can be adopted at the festival. Vendors set up booths throughout the festival where handmade crafts as well as other items are for sale.
Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival
605 E. Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22905
434-979-1200
cvillevegfest.org
Chincoteague Oyster Festival
The Chincoteague Oyster Festival is held on the Virginia coast each year, on the Saturday of Columbus Day Weekend from noon until 4 p.m. It is a celebration of the food from the ocean, focusing on oysters. Other seafood served include clams and crabs. The oysters and clams are prepared steamed, fried, and as part of soups. For those not interested in seafood, hot dogs and hush puppies are offered. In 2009, tickets were $35 each, with a $5 shipping cost. Beer is sold for an additional cost at the festival. Children under five years of age may enter for free. The website suggests ordering these tickets using the address on the website as there is no guarantee tickets will be available at the gate. Contests held at the event include one for the best decorated area for a group attending the festival, this group can be as few as two people or as many people as the group wishes. There is also a raffle with dozens of prizes including restaurant gift certificates, tickets for next year's festival, discounts at hotels, and other items donated by local and regional vendors. Pets are not permitted at the festival.
Chincoteague Oyster Festival
Maddox Family Campground
6742 Maddox Blvd.
Chincoteague Va, 23336
757-336-6161
chincoteagueoysterfestival.com
Blues at the Beach
Blues at the Beach is held annually in Virginia Beach during the first half of September. This festival is a celebration of the music style known as the blues, and features artists from around the country. Some are small local acts, while others are large national recording acts. The lineup of performers for the three-day festival is typically announced sometime between the middle and late Spring. The festival also features a large craft display and sales area. Craft demonstrations are offered, including classes on create your own musical instruments. All of the concerts and craft demonstrations are free.
Blues At The Beach
Virginia Beach oceanfront
17th Street and Atlantic Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
757-491-SUNN
virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=27081
Tags: Vegetarian Festival, Blues Beach, Charlottesville Vegetarian, Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival, Chincoteague Oyster, Chincoteague Oyster Festival, Oyster Festival