Home Chamber of Commerce plans Good Times
Local

Chamber of Commerce plans Good Times

Contributors

Good TimesWhen was the last time you felt like you had set sail on a trip of a lifetime to see the world? What if you knew that for $25 you can taste local Virginia wines and craft brews and get your passport stamped five times on an “international adventure?”

On September 21st and 22nd, 2013 at The Frontier Culture Museum, The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting “Good Times, Tastes & Traditions” – featuring Farming in the Valley.” (Presented by: Staunton Subaru, REO Distribution, Allied Logistics and Blue Ridge Beverage/MillerCoors, Farm Credit Country Mortgages and Fields of Gold.) This new and unique event will bring to life the 5 featured farms/countries at the museum (America, England, Ireland, Germany and West Africa) by coordinating ethnic cuisine, local Virginia wines, imported and domestic beers, entertainment (including West African drummers and dancers), artists, crafters, vendors and more!

The atmosphere is almost like Bush Garden without the roller coasters. Imagine being on the German Farm, a classic life size home built in the 1700s. A row of wooden shoes greet you as you enter the home and the Fall air is mixed with a smoky accent of the wood stove in the kitchen. The house is sitting next to a double bay barn complete with a vintage wagon, hay loft and a “royal” coup perfectly made for those pretty little German chickens. Next to this estate replica is a large kitchen garden full of all of your necessary culinary ingredients, a perfect pairing for the Bratwursts and Sauerkraut you can smell cooking on an open grill, all as you taste a small buffet of German Beer samples. You and your friends and family are greeted by museum employees in period dress and the sounds of a music playing. For a moment you may think you  are in Frankfurt at one of Germany’s famous music festivals. Even Beethoven could get into a International groove at this festival. Top off your experience by taking a stroll around the ‘country’ and browse through crafts, artists and jewelry makers. And that is only Germany!

For the attendee that ‘just’ wants to sit on a blanket and listen to great music with a bottle of wine, we have just the place for you! Join us at The Dod Amphitheater, nestled in the turn between the Irish Blacksmith Forge and the rippling creek; a grassy knoll on the hill, underneath a canopy of trees could be the “coolest” spot “in the world.” The main stage will feature a line up of Jazz, Country, Blues and even Gospel on rotation throughout the weekend, provided by local concert promoter, John Huggins, owner of Shenandoah Concerts.

Headlining on Sunday is Wilson Fairchild. This country music duo, made up of Wil and Langdon Reid, are from our own beautiful Shenandoah Valley. These guys have been writing, performing and playing music together their whole lives. Wil and Langdon are highly acclaimed songwriters. Along with recording their own music, such artists as Ricky Skaggs and Dailey & Vincent have recorded their songs, as well. They get their “entertainment chops” honestly. Wil’s dad is Harold Reid and Langdon’s dad is Don Reid of the legendary Statler Brothers. In 2007, Wil and Langdon wrote a tribute to the Statlers simply called ‘The Statler Brothers Song.” They were asked to be a part of the medallion ceremonies and to perform the song for all of their “Statler dads” when the Brothers were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. http://wilsonfairchild.com/ Also on Sunday, the Chamber plans to make a donation of needed musical instruments to the Music Department at The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, located in Staunton. One of the music sensations that day will be the school’s student Bluegrass Band, led by Gene Blackmer, a former teacher of Wil and Langdon. In addition, a portion of the ticket proceeds from the weekend will benefit The Frontier Culture Museum Education Foundation.

*New this year, on the American Farms, is an exciting feature called: Farming in the Valley – A Fields of Gold Celebration. (Fields of Gold is a regional, agritourism program designed to collectively market and promote the Region’s rich agricultural heritage.) This festival addition will be packed with agri-related businesses, local produce and products and a hands on “Children’s Barn” packed with activities for families. Bluegrass music will serve as the backdrop for this double sided 1800’s farm. Every direction you turn, you will find something of interest. From watching a farrier demonstration by Marcus Wise, or grabbing a pulled pork barbeque sandwich from a local food truck called “Shaney’s Shack” or learning about local honey from The Shenandoah Valley Beekeepers Association. Children can paint pumpkins, plant corn, milk a dairy cow or sign up for the ultimate little tike competition; The Pedal Pull! (A mini version of a Tractor Pull – kiddie style – complete with mini antique tractors, prizes and more!) Make sure you get your picture taken with “The Frog” from Sweet Frog, a local frozen yogurt café, before you head home.

Every adult attendee will be given a Souvenir Passport Booklet and encouraged to visit each village and get their passport stamped. If an attendee completes their passport book with all 5 stamps they will receive a couple local coupons and be entered to WIN a $500 Best Buy Gift Card, provided by Commonwealth Promotional Products.

For only $25 at the gate ($20 in advance at www.goodtimesaugusta.com), you can purchase a tasting ticket which will include; a tasting glass, wine and beer samples and the entertainment at each farm and the main stage.  ($25 = a 1 day pass.) If you would like to experience the festival without the samplings, you can do so for just $10 per person. They also have military discounts, senior discounts and children’s tickets. Children under 5 are free. Parking is free. What a great chance to have “An International Experience; with a Hometown Welcome.” We hope to see you and your family there!

For daily updates visit us at: www.facebook.com/goodtimestastesandtraditions

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.