Dan MacDonnell (L to R) his wife Robin Ott MacDonnell and the Nature Foundation’s Liz Salas pose for a quick picture Friday morning as the golf classic was getting underway. Robin (center and daughter of the late Sara & Frank Ott) along with her sisters, have been a part of the annual event each year starting in 1993.Sara Ott at her last golf classic in September 2007. She passed away the following spring in 2008 followed by the death of her husband Frank (below photo) in the summer of 2013.Photo By Tommy Stafford: The late Frank Ott coordinating the golf classic in September 2009. Before his wife Sara Ott’s death in 2008 the duo started and coordinated each and every golf classic since 1993.A favorite part of the annual event is the silent auction that happens late in the afternoon followed by a dinner in the evening.
Liz with The Nature Foundation tells us that one of the golfers in the tournament on Friday had already made a hole in one which means he won a new car!
A crisp pre-fall evening was a perfect backdrop for the end of the Starry Nights 2013 season this past Saturday – September 14, 2013 at Veritas Vineyard & Winery.Jim Waive & The Young Divorcees kicked off the music at the season finale of Starry Nights.Crowds for the final season of Starry Nights 2013 were estimated around 3000-4000 people.If you weren’t doing Starry Nights picnic style, a delicious meal was also on hand.Of course it’s about the food, but really about the wine!
See you at the 2014 Starry Nights kickoff that usually begins late Spring / early summer.
Blue Ridge Parkway MP9
Augusta County, VA Updated 7:00PM 9.16.13
Since BRLM originally broke the story of a 13 year old girl involved in a serious fall along the BRP on Sunday afternoon, news has now surfaced that the young girl died as the result of her fall. WHSV-3 in Harrisonburg has their coverage here.
“The girl has been identified as Alexandra Babaeva, an eighth grader at Pocahontas Middle School in Henrico.”
Original Story 9.15.13 – 9:10PM Sunday Evening BRLM has learned Wintergreen Fire & Rescue worked a very serious accident late Sunday afternoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway around MP-9, that’s about 4 miles north of the Reeds Gap / Route 664 intersection near Greenstone Overlook.”It was a very, very serious fall involving a young teenager that fell approximately 60 feet down onto the parkway,” WFD Chief Curtis Sheets told us late Sunday evening.
The National Park Service has had the parkway closed for much of the afternoon and evening investigating the fall.
The victim was transported by Pegasus helicopter to UVa Medical Center in Charlottesville.
Original story from 9:25 AM In a telephone conversation with Nelson County Commissioner of Revenue Jean Payne on Friday morning, BRLM has been told that the Lockn’ revenue numbers released are not hers. “I don’t know where those numbers came from, perhaps estimates, but they did not come from me,” Commissioner Payne said.
The Lockn’ press release directly attributed the information to the Nelson Commissioner Of Revenue:
“The Commissioner of the Revenue for Nelson County says early numbers place tax revenue to be received by the County at approximately 1.6 million dollars, with 53% of ticket sales from outside of Virginia.”
Above the verbatim press release BRLM and other media outlets received from Lockn’ Wednesday evening – September 11, 2013 – Click to enlarge.
“I did not release those numbers” Payne again reinforced to BRLM on the phone Friday morning. Payne said she wanted citizens to know she did not release the information. “Those may be estimates someone has formulated or some sales tax numbers that we don’t handle, but we won’t have completed tax revenue until October 20th. That’s the deadline for that information,” Commissioner Payne continued.
At 12:40 PM on Friday we emailed Olivia Branch the regional public relations person with Lockn’. We discussed our conversation with Commissioner Payne and asked specifically how Lockn’ arrived at those numbers. Ms. Branch told us she was worked with Nelson Economic Development Department on the numbers and was trying to obtain clarifications and would get back to us shortly. As of 6: 15 PM Friday Ms. Branch with Lockn’ had not followed up. However, our media partners at CBS-19 in Charlottesville did snag an interview with Dave Frey, one of the main Lockn’ organizers. “We got that number from a county official,” said Lockn’ organizer Dave Frey, but he declined to be more specific. “We are not experts at estimating tax revenue. So we wouldn’t really offer a number like that without getting it from someone else,” he told CBS-19 in their story linked here.
6:30PM – UPDATE: Just after we updated this story at 6:15 PM Friday evening, Dave Frey with Lockn’ called our office. “You had a question for Olivia with our staff,” he said. When asked about the discrepancy of the numbers and the attribution to the Nelson Commissioner of Revenue he said his information came from the Nelson Economic Development Director, Maureen Kelley.
7:55PM UPDATE: Friday evening September 13, 2013 Ms. Kelley replied with this response:
“The estimate of economic impact figures was compiled by Lockn Festival staff from County staff offices of economic development and other county officials; they were based on 2013 Lockn festival attendance and historic economic impact figures from events such as Camp Jeep and The Festy Experience. The Festy is an annual three day event held at Devils Backbone Brewing Company that has generated a significant economic impact for the region for the last several years..
As stated in the Lockn release, early indication of the $1.6 million regional impact estimate is based on expected tax revenues. For Nelson County – 1% will be received from state sales tax, 5% from lodging taxes, 4% from food and beverage taxes, as well as employment taxes and various other sources. What is also included is revenue generated from an local multiplier effect – for every dollar spent locally, that dollar recycles back through the economy five more times.
Maureen A. Kelley
Nelson County Economic Development and Tourism”
In another interview with The Roanoke Times Frey said he hasn’t even decided if they will come back to Nelson in 2014, saying the festival lost money during the inaugural event in Arrington.
Lovingston
Nelson County, VA Lockn’ 2013 is in the history books and now the discussion has been brewing about the pros and cons of having another festival in 2014. This past Tuesday night several residents and business owners addressed the Nelson Board of Supervisors. BRLM’s Marcie Gates attended the meeting and live tweeted much of the discussion on our Twitter page. Some echoed support and gratitude for the first Lockn’ festival held in Nelson, others weren’t as happy about their 4 day experience. “It was a difficult time for us to maneuver our trailers in and out with the roads being blocked off. And we couldn’t accept deliveries some of those days,” said Joanie Saunders, co-owner of Saunders Landscapes located on Freshwater Cove directly west of the entrance to Oak Ridge where Lockn’ was held.
Others like Charlie Wineberg of Afton, VA sang praises for the festival. “Well run, safe, & secure,” as he addressed the BOS this past Tuesday – September 10, 2013 in Lovingston.
Several other residents and business owners spoke over a roughly 40 minute period at the Tuesday meeting in favor or opposition to the festival.
An online poll that BRLM has been conducting since Monday of this week showed strong support for the return of the festival as of results on Wednesday evening with just over 1250 people voting thus far. Click on the image to enlarge.
Our BRLM pollabove shows a near 24% margin of support for the return of the festival, as of figures compiled on Wednesday evening September 11, 2013. The online poll runs thorough Friday afternoon of this week. The poll is not scientific, but is a general trend of sentiments about the festival. The comments section on that poll page is very, very active with almost 50 different views about the festival as of Wednesday evening.
The Lockn’ organization along with Nelson County Tourism officials released the follow press release Wednesday night regarding their data on the impact. We have copied and pasted the release verbatim below:
Verbatim Press release via Lockn’ Organization:
LOCKN’ ATTENDED BY 25,000, TAX REVENUE APPROXIMATELY $1.6 MILLION
Charlottesville, Virginia, September 11, 2013
Lockn’ Music Festival organizers and Nelson County representatives released raw numbers today regarding the inaugural four-day music festival held at The Oak Ridge Farm in Nelson County.
The Commissioner of the Revenue for Nelson County says early numbers place tax revenue to be received by the County at approximately 1.6 million dollars, with 53% of ticket sales from outside of Virginia.
The Nelson County Department of Economic Development and Tourism reported increased sales for grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, hotels and bed & breakfasts in the immediate area; the block of condominiums for lodging packages at Wintergreen Resort sold out quickly.
From early accounts the area breweries, wineries, and food vendors that participated in Lockn’s LOCAL Tent (solely featuring fare from Central Virginia), would happily participate again should Lockn’ return in 2014. Todd Rath, owner of The Blue Toad in Nelson County, said, “the event was well run and provided invaluable exposure for my small business, we crushed it.”
HeadCount organized Participation Row, the group of local, regional and national non-profits on site at the festival, and raised $50,000 through silent auction to be divided among the non-profit participants. This includes $20,000 raised from a guitar signed by the performing artists that was showcased throughout the four days. FATE donated $5,000 to the Nelson County Pantry, and Conscious Alliance collected 1,500 pounds of food for the Pantry.
EMTs, the Sheriff’s Department, and on-site security were pleased to report there were very few medical incidents or illegal activity during the festival. Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks said, “The Festival went very well with little to no problems, we support the event 100% and look forward to next year.”
Festival organizers are scheduled to meet with County Supervisors.
The sunsets over the 2013 Lockn’ Festival at Arrington, VA.
Arrington
Nelson County, VA Story & Photos By Marcie Gates
Amongst the thousands of jam-band lovin’ land-rovers that flooded through the Oak Ridge gates, (easily doubling Nelson’s population in size), there were still quite a few locals representing Nelson County at the Lockn’ Festival last weekend.
North Branch School in Afton was one of several organizations with a presence at the festival.
North Branch School raised funds by promoting creativity at their tent with face painting and art projects, while Wild Wolf Brewery spread the word about their growing microbrewery.
Wild Wolf Brewmaster Danny Wolf (L) with BRLM’s Marcie Gates at the Wolf tent during Lockn’ 2013Thousands & thousands of people camped during the four day festival at Lockn’ 2013.Festival goers leaving the local tent at Lockn’ 2013.
Curtis Sheets, Chief of Wintergreen Fire and Rescue Squad, was proud to have his crew monitoring such a massive crowd at the inaugural event. And in order to operate the five strategically placed medical tents for one hundred consecutive hours, Sheets padded his team with professionals from the surrounding areas.
Wintergreen Fire & Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets (center) discusses logistical plans with medical cews at the 2013 Lockn’ Musical Fest in Arrington, VA.
“We were pulling in staff from everywhere. We pulled from Amherst County, City of Lynchburg, Augusta County, City of Waynesboro, City of Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Albemarle,” says Sheets. “And from our perspective, speaking only from the medical management standpoint, it was an interesting stress test for our organization that I feel we passed very well.”
Chief Sheets was in charge of medical crews for the massive festival with over 25,000 attendees. Wintergreen F&R was granted the contract to coordinate medical services at Lockn’ Fest.
Betsy Smith with WF&R (kneeling right) tends to a minor injury at the 2013 Lockn’ Festival.
Throughout the four day music marathon, literally surrounded by miles of copious characters and personality-a-plenty, Sheets and his team managed keep their numbers low.
“We had a little over 1000 patient contacts, which includes the band-aid law – Advil, band-aids, etc, and I don’t think we ever saw anything that was life threatening. And to have that many people together at an event like that, I think that says a lot.” Chief Sheets continued.
And considering that’s coming from someone who’s packin’ a couple decades of experience under his medic belt, I’m inclined to agree with him. When caught in a jam they couldn’t dance their way out of, folks at the festival were fortunate to have this team locked in.
Photo Courtesy Of Veritas Vineyard & Winery : Crews were deep into the grape harvest Monday afternoon at Veritas Monday afternoon – September 9, 2013 in Nelson County, VA
Afton
Nelson County, VA
Crisp nights and cool days mean grape harvest across the Blue Ridge. Monday afternoon the crews at Veritas Vineyard & Winery in Afton, VA were busy picking the chardonnay.
According to our online poll that ran the entire week of September 9, 2013 a majority of those responding would like to see the festival return in 2014. (The poll is not scientific, but is general indication of trends) Click on image to view larger.
Nelson County, VA
The results are in from our week long online poll that ran from September 9, 2013 until Friday afternoon September 13, 2013. 63% of the respondents said they would like to see the festival return in 2014. While 37% said don’t come back.
Harrisonburg
Rockingham County, VA
Essentially not a cloud in the sky. That made for a perfect Saturday in Harrisonburg where the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance held their annual Rocktown Wine & Dine Festival. The day long affair at Turner Pavilion & Park touted over 80 different wines to sample and a wide variety of food.
Many unique dishes were all part of the festival with featured pairings of food & wine.The Olivaraz Trio entertained the crowds at the annual Rocktown Wine & Dine Festival this past Saturday – September 7, 2013 in Harrisonburg, VAPeople attending the Rocktown Wine & Dine Festival in Harrisonburg enjoy a few of the 80 different wines on hand this past Saturday – September 7, 2013.Andrew Vaccarello, Debbie Braun, and son Jake Braun all of Harrisonburg pause for a photo taken by BRLM Photographer Paul Purpura at the annual festival.Mild weather and blue skies were the backdrop for the 2013 Rocktown Wine & Dine Festival held in Harrisonburg Saturday – September 7, 2013
Photo Courtesy of Chipper Morris – Afton VA – A plume of smoke could be seen Sunday afternoon from Tanbark Drive – this is looking north toward Route 250 on Afton Mountain. – Crews responded to a camper on fire there.
Afton, VA
Near The Nelson / Albemarle / Augusta Line
Crews are on the scene of a camper fire on Afton Mountain Route 250 at Carter’s Fruit Stand. Chipper Morris of Tanbark Drive in Afton sent us this photo of the smoke as seen from his home.
It is not believed the actual fruit stand was badly damaged, if at all.
We understand traffic may be slowed in that area or even stopped as the fire is extinguished. But it has been reported under control as of 4:40 PM Sunday afternoon.
