joemcg - Posted - 01/14/2022:  09:02:25

I live in the desert SW where temps from about 7/15 to 9/15 can regularly exceed 110. So I’m thinking about a trip back East for about a month somewhere in that timeframe.

One of the things that would be high on my list would be to attend some old time music events in the Galax/Bristol/Mt Airy area. I have relations not too far away and could combine the festivals with some visits.

What might be going on during that time frame? Thanks for your suggestions.

vthokie7227 - Posted - 01/14/2022:  09:48:58

If you're interested in going to the Galax area during that window, time your visit to attend to the Old Fiddler's Convention (August 8-13). Attending Galax is a pilgrimage every bluegrass and old-time player needs to make. The entertainment for the festival is nightly instrument contests with the bluegrass and old-time band competitions on Friday and Saturday nights. The remainder of the day is filled with jamming. Just a warning though, it will rain and there are moose on the loose. 



oldfiddlersconvention.com/

Edited by - vthokie7227 on 01/14/2022 09:50:15

WVDreamin - Posted - 01/14/2022:  17:36:16

And the week or so before Galax is the Appalachian Stringband Festival aka Clifftop, only 3ish hours drive from one to the other. Old time all the time from the Friday before the festival through the sunday following that Friday. Very affordable as far as multi day festivals go.

joemcg - Posted - 01/14/2022:  20:23:28

How about the Floyd Country Store? Are there still shows there?

vthokie7227 - Posted - 01/15/2022:  08:32:53

The Floyd Country on Friday nights is a wonderful experience! They typically have two shows on stage in the the store and then there are jams out on the street. I used to live just down the road from Floyd and used to go regularly on Friday nights. In my experience, it is predominantly bluegrass and not old-time. As a bluegrass banjo player, this was fine with me, but you may be searching for something else. That being said, all the folks I’ve met there over the years have been incredibly nice, and I’m sure they would welcome an old-time player.