Puppet shows, parties, and parades celebrate the child in all of us! The Festival gets rolling with the Kids Parade. Then, for kids of all ages, Street Parties feature music and family-oriented fun and games. The fun never ends at the Youth Tent, filled with two weeks worth of hands-on activities, games and workshops.
Art & Photography Events
Entries will be accepted at William King Regional Arts Center on July 13, 19, and 20 from 2-4 p.m., $3 per entry; limit two. The awards presentation and reception will be held Sunday, July 27 from 3-4 p.m.
Family Art Activities in the Cool Relax inside on a hot festival day with two fun programs. During Pop-Top Paintings, Wednesday, Aug. 6: 2-3:30 p.m., apply pop-tops for a unique "found object" mixed media painting inspired by the George Chavatel retrospective exhibit at WKRAC. In Wash Mural Paintings, Friday, Aug. 8: 2-3:30 p.m., find yourself in an abstract multimedia collaboration that will hang in the Student Gallery. These activities will take place on Level One. Advance registration requested, call 276-628-5005.
Daily: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Youth Tent area
Katmandew & Aline: Face Painting & Quick Sketch Artists, presented by the Youth Committee
The Interactive Theater of Jef will present mime, masks, street theatre, and juggling near the Youth Tent daily. The fun and games include a human-sized ring toss game, posing for photos with Jef's masterpiece camera, creating faces on his masks, and more. Jef is a teaching artist in the North Carolina Arts Council's Roster of Touring Artists and an approved artist for the South Carolina Arts Commission. For 17 years he performed and toured across the country as a member and co-artistic director for the mime ensemble Touch. Today he is a solo artist with more than 27 years of performing experience.
At Barter Stage II
The Barter Players will present The Brementown Musicians, adapted by Gwen Edwards and Ben Mackel. In this new musical, a donkey, a hound, a cat and a rooster set out to be the Town Musicians of Bremen after their owners decide they are too old to be of any use to them. Along the road to Bremen, they make good music, capture some bandits, and discover that with the help of good friends, life can have new meaning. Don’t miss this production filled with laughter, friendship and fun. Check the Calendar of Events for days and times.
Kid's Video Contest: "Summer in My Town"
Hey kids! Get your camcorders out, take some video during the Virginia Highlands Festival, and maybe win some cool cash!
The Virginia Highlands Festival is an exciting 16-day event with concerts, street parties, parades, a Magic Show, face painting and quick sketch artists, comedians, a juggler/mime, a Pet Show, arts and crafts workshops, nature hikes, an "Abingdon Idol" Teen talent show, a Teen Battle of the Bands, a Car Show, and so much more! Show Abingdon's historic aspects, too -- with re-enactors at the Festival's Colonial Marketplace on Craig's Meadows.
MeetMeAtTheCorner.org, the Web site that sends kids on virtual field trips, is hosting a "Summer in My Town" video documentary contest for children ages 7-13. The winner will receive a cash prize of $250.00 plus a special airing of their video on the web site this fall. The contest deadline is August 31, 2008.
Complete information on how to make a video documentary, including step-by-step instructions on creating storyboards and voiceovers, as well as submission guidelines, rules and forms can be found at MeetMeAtTheCorner.org. Final cassette tapes can be mailed to: Meet Me at the Corner "Summer in My Town" Video Contest, 1710 First Ave., PO Box 283, New York, NY 10128. All submissions are the property of Meet Me at the Corner and will not be returned.
"The 'Summer in My Town' contest is a great way for kids to learn how to make a complete documentary-style video and discover more about their community. It's not a way to share summer vacation videos. It's so much more than that. It's the perfect way for kids to reveal their special part of the world with their peers," said Donna Guthrie, founder of MeetMeAtTheCorner.org. Directed at more than 1.9 million American home schooled children, MeetMeAtTheCorner.org is the new Web site which provides virtual educational and informational "tours" of various landmarks from a child's point of view via video pod cast technology.
Saturday, July 26
Decorated Bike Parade: Western Theme (ages 4-12) Meet at 9:45 a.m. in the paved parking lot in front of the Youth Tent. The parade starts at 10 a.m.
All Shrine Parade (10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) This popular annual event takes place on Main Street.
Street Party (6-9:30 p.m.) on Main Street, with Chubby Checker & The Wildcats, presented by New People’s Bank
Family activities begin at 6 p.m. with games and events for kids, food from local vendors, and a Classic Thunderbird Car Show presented by Food Country. Judging will begin at 6:30 p.m. for a Costume Contest sponsored by Ellis Soda Shoppe & Grill. Dress up as your favorite 1950s, ’60s or ’70s personality. Hula Hoop and Twist Contests presented by Ladies Fitness Express for all age groups at 7 p.m. (sign up near the stage beginning at 6 p.m.). Chubby Checker &: The Wildcats take the stage at 8 p.m.
Monday, July 28
"Abingdon Idol" (Teen Talent Show) (beginning at 6 p.m.) Strut your stuff at the Festival's Event Tent. Advance registration required by July 25: 276-356-5821.
Wednesdays, July 30 & Aug. 6
Free Lunch (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) offered by the Women of St. Thomas Church.
Thursdays, July 31 & Aug. 7
Family Storytelling (11 a.m.-12 noon) The Children's Department of the Washington County Public Library will host this event at the Youth Tent.
Friday, Aug. 1
Kid's Pet Show (6-8 p.m.) Does your pet know any tricks? have talent? or charisma? Find out at Light's at Stone Mill Village.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Festival Chase 10K (begins at 8 a.m.) Held on the Virginia Creeper Trail. $12 ($10 if registered by July 25: 276-628-5279)
Kid's Flea Market (10 a.m.-12 noon) Set up in the Youth tent, then buy, sell or trade -- and have fun doing it!
Teen Car Show (12-2 p.m.) Held in the parking lot beside the Abingdon Police Department on West Main Street. Advance registration requested by Wednesday, July 30: 276-356-5821.
Sunday, Aug. 3
My Mom is Better than Your Mom Competition 2 p.m. Held at the Youth Tent.
Skipping Through History with Capt. Joseph Black & Friends - Join costumed interpreters at the Youth Tent 3-4 p.m. Joseph Black, a founder of Abingdon (formerly Black's Fort), will lead an easy, interpreted stroll through the more "kid friendly" aspects of the Colonial and Civil War periods of the town's history. Included will be stops at The Tavern, the Martha Washington Inn, Barter Theatre, the site of (Joseph) Black's Fort, and many other points of interest. Designed to surprise and delight as well as inform, narration is geared to elementary and middle school students as interpreters help children relate more vividly to the remarkable history of the oldest town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Playground of the Past - 3-5 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy games from the past on the lawn of the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum. Featured activities will include skittles (the forerunner of bowling), lawn bowling, hoops, ring toss, puzzles, colonial bubble blowing, hand held toys, and more.
Monday, Aug. 4
The Magic of Joseph Young 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The first program showcases magic for children. The second one is a family show with lots of participation for kids of all ages. Both at the Youth Tent.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Battle of the Bands 5:00 p.m. This competition, presented by the Bank of Marion, will be held at the Event Tent. Advance registration required by Aug. 2: 276-356-5821.
Friday, Aug. 8
Street Party with Phantom 9-11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, Aug. 8 & 9
Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Feast 5:30 p.m. Enjoy hot air balloon rides, live music and dinner at the 4-H Center. $3 parking, $7 Dinner (tickets available at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and at the gate).
Saturday, Aug. 9
25th Annual Schoolhouse 5-K and 1 mile Kid’s Run 7-10 a.m. $13 ($10 if registered by Aug 8: 276-525-1385) Meet at Schoolhouse Antiques for this event presented by the Washington County Recreation Department. Trophies will be awarded by age group, with participation medals for children.
Donut Hole Eating Contest (10-11 a.m.) Youth ages 8-12 are invited to compete in this event in the Youth Tent area.
Pet/Master Look-Alike Contest beginning at 11 a.m. Will we be able to tell who's who? Held in the Youth Tent area.
The Ronald McDonald Magic & Entertainment Show 2 p.m. This educational and interactive show helps teach children about the environment, self-esteem, personal character, reading, and fire safety.
Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 9 & 10
Hot Air Balloon Launch 7 a.m. at the 4-H Center.
Make, Take & Do Craft Activities
Offered from 2-4 p.m. in the Youth Tent on the following days:
- Saturday, July 26: Rain Sticks or Bird Houses
- Sunday, July 27: Kites or Face Masks
- Friday, Aug. 1: Kaleidoscopes
- Saturday, Aug. 2: Sand Bottles
- Sunday, Aug. 3: My Mom Is Better Than Your Mom Competition
- Friday, Aug. 8: Piggy Banks
- Saturday, Aug. 9: Teddy Bears
More Activities & Programs
Children’s Craft Classes at the Cave House Craft Shop (Saturdays, July 26, Aug. 2 & Aug. 9: 12-2 p.m.)
Lecture: "CSI meets DNA - The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Genome" (Monday, Aug. 4: 6:30 p.m.) Dr. Christy Fleet will discuss the popular aspects of genetics such as genetic testing, ethical issues and the science behind "CSI meets DNA"-type genetic technologies. This presentation by Emory & Henry College takes place at Abingdon United Methodist Church.
Workshop: Lose Your Marbles at the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum as you experiment with toy marble painting. Which colors will you use? Which way will your marbles roll? Will you and your marbles create a new color???
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