Lift a glass and toast the start of Virginia鈥檚 fall fair season at the , Sept. 7, noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy wine tasting, great food, live music and so much more on the tree-shaded grounds of this historic estate.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting, vibrant festival held in an atmosphere of nature鈥檚 beauty, with mature oaks throughout the yard and a Victorian garden visitors love to stroll,鈥 said Abbi Leisure, coordinator of outreach and special events.
Here鈥檚 just a taste of what this amazing day has to offer.
Live music
Hear live music as you stroll through the festival, with Lynchburg鈥檚 own country sensation Karlee Raye, and the ever-popular classic rock band The Frequency. Seating is available at the bandstand so you can relax while you watch these great performers.
Wine tasting
Sample a specially curated selection of fine wines made by these local family-owned wineries: DeVault Family Vineyards, Bright Meadows Farm Vineyard & Winery, 7 Lady Vineyards, Fables & Feathers Winery and Rebec Vineyards. Your tasting ticket includes your own glass, which you can use at the event then keep as a souvenir.
Fun for the kids, too
The event has a special section just for kids, with games and activities they鈥檒l love, including pumpkin painting, yard games and entertainment. In fact, there is something for everyone at the festival, so bring the whole family for a day that鈥檚 sure to please people of all ages.
Food, food, food!
Once you work up quite an appetite, stop by the food trucks for a variety of fresh sandwiches, sizzling barbecue and hot dogs with your favorite toppings. Beer and cider on tap, as well as soda and lemonade, will be served. For dessert, you鈥檒l find freshly baked pastries at the bake sale and gourmet coffee. Check out the coffee roasting booth, which is new to the festival this year.
Bourbon tasting and cigars
Also new this year 鈥 bourbon tasting. Get in on the fun from 2 to 5 p.m. and enjoy sipping bourbon inside a Colonial log cabin. It was outfitted like the 18th century cabin that once occupied this site. If you want to light up a cigar, you can do so in the lounge area just next door.
Crafts and unique vendors
Browse a unique selection of clothing, purses, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, candles 鈥 even customizable home d茅cor. It is a great way to get a head start on your holiday gift shopping or treat yourself to that one-of-a-kind piece you fall in love with.
Tour the museum
Tour the Avoca Museum, a restored mansion built in 1901 for descendants of the Lynch family. It is a stunning example of Victorian style, with interior furnishings that were authentically re-created聽by the Lane Company with design elements executed by Country Living magazine. Walking through its rooms, Leisure said, is like stepping back into history.
These highlights make the festival a very special day 鈥 and so do the people you鈥檒l meet there.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you鈥檒l run into old friends and make some new ones too,鈥 said Leisure.
Buy your tasting tickets by Sept. 6 to get them for just $15. If you wait until the day of the festival, they鈥檙e $20 at the gate. Admission is free for children 5 and under and just $5 for kids 6 to 12.
For more information on the Avoca Museum and Historical Society, located at 1514 Main St., Altavista, VA 24517, and the Harvest Wine Festival, visit .
