Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
By Elizabeth Ferrall
Summer fun gets an early start at North Branch School’s annual birthday party- Bandfair– held this year on May 16 at Cardinal Point Winery from 1-7. Bandfair VII will see local artists : Shannon Worrell, Naughty Dynamic, The Lost Souls, Grey Matter and Vindaloo taking a turn on the Cardinal Point stage. All of the bands donate their talent to the day. This is North Branch School’s 25th year of operation, and to celebrate, the school puts on an outdoor music festival that also has children’s activities, a cake walk, silent auction, student art show, and a truck raffle.

The truck being raffled this year has been worked on by the the kids in the auto shop elective. “Kids like cars”, says David Ferrall, who teaches the class. “Working on cars is a good break for some of the kids, it is mechanical and they get to see exactly how an engine works.” The truck was donated, and work the students did includes an oil change, put on new tires, and shock absorbers, and done body work, all that is left to do before it is raffled off is the paint job. “It’s road legal, it’s inspected, it would make a great work truck.”

Charlotte Zinsser-Booth, Head Teacher, says “I really enjoy the community of current students, and their families, and alumni and their families all coming together.” Children’s activities will run from 1-5 pm, and will include face painting, and crafts. But many kids prefer to dance in the grass in front of the stage, or roll down the hill. With Nelson County’s Summer Festival on hiatus, Bandfair offers an opportunity to enjoy some music in the sunshine, with plenty of diversions for everyone. Folks are invited to bring chairs or blankets,
and come join the day.

For truck raffle tickets, and advance price tickets for Bandfair VII contact the school, 540-456-8450. Tickets will also be available at the gate on the 16th of May.