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Grayson Highlands State Park to Host Its 40th Annual Fall Festival on Sept. 24-25

Grayson Highlands State Park’s 40th Annual Fall Festival will be held Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a $10 per day parking fee. This event is sponsored by the Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad, Fire Department, and ladies auxiliary.

Live bluegrass and old-time music are featured on Saturday. Music starts at 10:00 am and is played all day. This year’s lineup includes: 10 am – Changing Lanes, 11am – Jess Finley & the Dry Fork Ramblers , 12 pm – Steve Kilby & The Fox Creek Ramblers, 1 pm – Wayne Henderson, 2 pm – Buck Mountain Band, 3 pm – Miss Ellie and the South Fork Ramblers, 4 pm – The Friendship Boys.

Gospel music is featured on Sunday. It also starts at 10:00 am and is played all day. This year’s lineup : 10 am – The Moretz Family, 11:00 am – Faith is Rising Ministries, 12:00pm – Heaven Bound , 1:00 pm – Middle Fork Gospel, 2:00 pm – The Farmer Family, 3:00 pm – Terry Collins (From Sneedville TN), 4:00 pm – The Old Time Way.

The fire department and rescue squad provide the concessions which include BBQ chicken, hot dogs, and BBQ sandwiches. There are children’s activities and a variety of arts and crafts exhibits. You can watch molasses and apple butter being made. Due to cutbacks at the post office there will be no stamp cancellation offered this year.

Ponies from the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association will be auctioned at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 25. The wild ponies graze in the park and adjoining U. S. Forest Service’s Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the park’s picnic areas, visitor center and hiking and biking trails. Park campgrounds will be full; reservations must be made in advance by calling 1-800-933-PARK (7275) during regular business hours, or online at www.dcr.state.va.us. For information about other accommodations or other information about the area go to www.graysoncountyva.com and click on visitor info.

Proceeds from the festival go to the Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Inc. for emergency equipment and training. The festival goes on rain or shine. So come join us for a day of fun, great music, delicious food, and great handmade crafts.