We have been trying to save gas and money by avoiding all the wonderful fall festivals, but we slipped up when we saw that The Seldom Scene would be playing at the West Virginia Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival. The slip up reminded us that attending these festivals is worth all the time, money, and energy expended. Watching my kids frolic to bluegrass music on a beautiful day was priceless.

The drive out there was beautiful (even though we fell off our Google map and landed in a run down neighborhood of mobile homes somewhere north of Ranson, WV) as is any drive into northwestern Loudoun and beyond this time of year. We arrived to plenty of parking, well shaded tents (they were ready for rain), and a steady stream of music wafting over the fair. The vendors were friendly and patient with our kids.

This Festival happens every spring and fall, so even though the most recent round is over you will have a chance to visit next time. Watch their website (which seems to be acting up as of 12/08) for 2009 dates.

Logistic info for you

• If you want to bring a stroller I’d recommend a jogging or off road stroller, since you’ll likely have mud to deal with.
• There are potties all over the fair and they were still pretty clean at closing on day 2 of this 3 day event. There was a hand wash station near the peanut roasting tent not far from the stage.
• There is an old-school playground on site, behind the sheriff area. They have swings, a slide, a spider web climbing thing, and a roundabout.
• $6 for adults, FREE for kids under 6. You can print a coupon from their website and save $1. We dropped $26 ($12 entry, $5 ice cream plus tip for a good cause, $5 custom painted wooden top that my husband felt obligated to buy after the artist let my daughter help make one, $4 half-peck of apples). Lots of the vendors take credit cards and there is an ATM on site.

Some of our favorite vendors included:

TeePees from Rattlesnake Crossing
Linda Vinton and Ken Tillman
TeePees2@aol.com
(302) 588‑2644
I wish I had a link or a picture for you… but I don’t. My kids loved checking these out. After much deliberating I promised them one as soon as we have space… you would think they’d be more eager to donate or sell their existing toys, but I guess they are still too young to keep that connection in the front of their busy little brains.

Hand Crafted Pens of Distinction
Classic Creations by Don Wood
My son was enthralled by Don Wood’s work and spent a few days after the fair looking for the perfect piece of wood to have made into a pen for someone special. We mailed the wood to Don’s workshop and about 10 days later that special pen arrived in our mailbox. Everyone we have told about the pen wants to know if Wood is really Don’s last name…