Highland dancing at Taste of the Mountains Festival Photo courtesy Madison Chamber of Commerce
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Taste of the Mountains
This annual heritage festival celebrates the
mountain and traditional cultures of the 18th and 19th centuries in
the Blue Ridge region. The Taste of the Mountains Main Street
Festival, which has grown each year since 1992, attracted 20,000
visitors in 1999. The festival is held on historic Madison's Main
Street, which is closed for the September festival day. A map from
the visitors center provides a walking tour past 40 historic sites
in the area.
The free festival, which is operated by the Madison
Chamber of Commerce, boasts 150 exhibits whose work conform to the
festival's theme. Among exhibitors are antique dealers, crafters,
and artisans, who include furniture builders. Live country and
mountain music is performed on two stages at either end of Main
Street. Children's entertainment includes a petting zoo, pony
rides, art and games. For the festival Madison's civic groups and
churches have prepared a variety of country fare, which includes
country ham biscuits, lamb and turkey burgers, and pork
sausages.
Living history in the form of a Civil War encampment
will be re-enacted in 2000 on the grounds of the historic Kemper
estate. The 1878 Greek Revival house will be open for tours during
the festival. James Lawson Kemper was a Virginia governor during
Reconstruction; he also fought in the Civil War.
Documentation includes six photos, 14 slides, a
poster, brochures and promotional information.
Originally submitted by: Tom Bliley, Representative (7th District).
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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