Come see why the Virginia Highlands Festival
is a Top 20 "must see" event!

featured in
National Geographic
Traveler, April 2005

 

HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL
CONTACT INFORMATION
2007 FESTIVAL PROGRAM PARTNERS
2008 FESTIVAL SIGNATURE ART
VHF DEMOGRAPHIC SURVEY
(This page is in .pdf format, and will open in a new
browser window.)
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
(parking, transportation, tickets)
ABINGDON AREA AMENITIES
(accomodations, cultural & educational attractions, dining, shopping)

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON BECOMING
             A VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL SPONSOR

History of the Virginia Highlands Festival

Robert Porterfield held the first festival in 1948 on the front porch of the Martha Washington Inn in conjunction with the founding of the famed Barter Theatre (State Theatre of Virginia). His purpose was to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of this area. The Festival, over the past 52 years, has grown into a regional festival representing all of Southwest Virginia. Now it not only preserves the arts, crafts and skills that developed in this region, but also imports talented artist and performers from all over the USA and the world for the enjoyment of area residents and visitors.

A volunteer board of over 100 area residents work one year in advance planning events, tours, performances, publications, arranging housing for international performers, transportation within the four square miles of festival locations, and training volunteers for information booths. Board meetings are held once a month on the first Thursday in the month except for the months of August and January. Come and join us. We'd love to have you!

Abingdon is nestled in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, in an area of unparalleled natural beauty that is rich in tradition. Take a moment to discover our history, our local attractions, our many special events, our fine lodging and restaurants, and our community!

Chartered in 1778, Abingdon is a Virginia Historic Landmark. Visitors enjoy amenities usually reserved for much larger communities. You can stroll shaded, brick sidewalks and savor the ambiance of the oldest town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or explore a 20-block Historic District filled with outstanding examples of Federal and Victorian architecture.

Contact Information

Virginia Highlands Festival:
120 N. Court Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 801
Abingdon, VA 24212
276-623-5266
email: vhf@eva.org

Open Monday - Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM

The Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau
335 Cummings Street
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Interstate 81, Exit 17
276-676-2282
Website: www.abingdon.com/tourism
Email: acvb@abingdon.com

Visitors Center Open 9 AM to 5 PM Daily

2007 Program Partner Organizations

  • Abingdon Parks & Recreation
  • Appalachian Sustainable Development
  • Barter Theatre
  • Daughters of the American Revolution, Black's Fort Chapter
  • Department of Environmental Quality
  • Desert Sands Shrine Club
  • Emory & Henry College
  • Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum
  • Friends of the Washington County Public Library
  • Highlands Ballet Company
  • Historical Society of Washington County, Va.
  • Holston River Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Jubilee House Retreat Center
  • Museum of the Middle Appalachians
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Overmountain Victory Trail Association, Black's Fort Chapter
  • Sons of the American Revolution, Gen. William Campbell Chapter
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Agency
  • U.S. Post Office
  • Upper Tennessee River Roundtable
  • Virginia Cooperative Extension, Washington County Office
  • Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation
  • Virginia Department of Forestry
  • Virginia Intermont College
  • Washington County Recreation Department
  • Washington County Retired Teachers Association
  • Washington Rifles, First Virginia Cavalry
  • Washington County School Board's One-Room Duncansville School Museum Committee
  • Watauga Chapel Gospel Singing/Green Spring Presbyterian Church
  • White's Mill Foundation
  • William King Regional Arts Center


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