Tyro
Nelson County, Virginia
After two years of waiting, the highly successful Nelson County Folk Life Festival at Pharsalia returns this weekend for its second run. We covered the 1st event back in 2007.
A host of heritage tradesmen in period dress and contemporary craftsmen will be on hand to demonstrate and sell their many types of wares. There will be storytelling and children’s hands-on activities and games. A variety of foods of the time, and some to suit today’s tastes, will be available. Wintergreen Winery will offer wine tastings. Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company will have custom crafted beers on hand. Special music and historical performances will take place throughout the grounds. Mini-seminars will be offered on a variety of topics of the day including planting tobacco. Hewing logs and raising a log cabin will be demonstrated. There will be book signings by local authors. Transportation of the day will be on exhibit. The Festival will offer two full days of events to be long remembered. Many volunteers have pledged their time and talents to create an outstanding educational and historical event for the entire family.
The Nelson County Folk Life Festival will re-create life as it once was at Pharsalia with tours of the manor house and dependencies. Visitors will be greeted by historical interpreters portraying Pharsalia’s host, Mr. William Massie, Major Thomas Massie, as well as Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Mrs. Nelson, and the Town Crier, among others. Mrs. Massie will be there, as well, to be certain all her guests receive the finest hospitality. The Rotary Club of Nelson County and Pharsalia Plantation are partnering again this year to sponsor another Folk Life Festival.
The first Folk Life Festival at Pharsalia was held in 2007 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the county. Nelson County is noted for its Blue Ridge Mountains and rural scenic beauty, Crabtree Falls, Wintergreen Resort, The Waltons, and a slower, more serene lifestyle.
Free passes to attend will be distributed to all Nelson County area 4th and 5th grade students studying Virginia history. The passes will be distributed through the elementary schools.
Daily adult advance ticket prices are $10 or $15 at the gate. Daily adult wine tasting is $5 at the gate only. Children’s tickets 6-12 are $5 daily. Tickets can be purchased at The Nelson County Visitors Center in Lovingston and the Stoney Creek Pharmacy in Nellysford, at Pharsaliaevents.com (through Paypal) or from any Rotary Club member. Gates are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine, no ticket refunds. For more information, contact The Nelson County Visitors Center, 1-800-282-8223, Rotary Club: 434-361-1055, or 434-361-0297, or visit the web site at www.pharsaliaevents.com.
The Festival will be co-hosted by The Rotary Club of Nelson County and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Morgan, the owners of Pharsalia. Proceeds from the Folk Life Festival will benefit various Nelson County organizations that depend on donations to continue their good works, and a donation will be made to Pharsalia for historical preservation of this historical site.
Directions to Pharsalia
From Lynchburg and Points South:
Take Route 29 North turning left on to Route 151/Patrick Henry Hwy. Go approximately 10 miles turning left on to Route 56 West (Crabtree Falls Highway) towards Massie’s Mill. Go 4 miles (NOT 2 miles) and proceed to the second Pharsalia Road sign (Route 680) just after crossing a bridge over the Tye River and turn left. Go 2 miles to Pharsalia on the right.
From Charlottesville and Points North:
Take Route 29 South, 5 miles south of Lovingston, turning right on Route 56/Tye Brook Road. After 3/4 mile, turn right on to Roseland Road (Route 655). Continue for 5 miles coming to Route 151/Patrick Henry Hwy. Turn left and take the immediate right on to Route 56 West/Crabtree Falls Highway). Go 4 miles (NOT 2 miles) and proceed to the second Pharsalia Road sign (Route 680) just after crossing a bridge over the Tye River and turn left. Go 2 miles to Pharsalia on the right.
From Waynesboro/Staunton and Points West:
Take I-64 East off of I-81 to Exit 99 towards Afton. Turn right on Route 250. At bottom of mountain, turn right on Route 151/Rockfish River Hwy. Go approximately 26 miles south on Route 151. Turn right on to Route 56 West (Crabtree Falls Hwy). Go 4 miles (NOT 2 miles) and proceed to the second Pharsalia Road sign (Route 680) just after crossing a bridge over the Tye River and turn left. Go 2 miles to Pharsalia on the right.
A great coverage of this fine event Tommy and Yvette! Hope everyone realizes that all profits made by the Nelson County Rotary Club is distributed to worthy Nelson County charities. Look forward to seeing all of you there.