Heather Bell
RADFORD – Craft beer, live music, art and food combine for a fantastic event looked forward to by many in the region each year, and the icing on the proverbial cake is it raises money for good causes as well.
“MountainTrotter is pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Craft and Draft festival,” states festival organizer Laurie Murphy,who heads up MountainTrotter. “Craft and Draft is a street-style festival, featuring local artisans, makers, and crafters, all-day live music, on-site food, and craft beer on tap. Craft and Draft is proud to showcase talented artisans from all over southwest Virginia and surrounding areas, including West Virginia and North Carolina.”
This year’s Craft and Draft is set for Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on the grassy field adjacent to Glencoe Mansion, Museum and Gallery, located at 600 Unruh Dr. in Radford.
“Shop with more than 40 handcrafted vendors, including hand-made silver jewelry, ceramics and pottery, letterpress stationary, sewn goods and clothing, fine art and more,” states Murphy.
“On-Site food trucks with be there with some of Radford’s favorites. Plus, you can walk the entire festival with a craft beer in hand – enjoy five craft taps from our beer truck, including select craft brews from Virginia breweries in a variety of styles.”
Murphy says the environment is child-friendly entertainment, the event can be enjoyed by all ages, and dogs are welcome, too. A bonus is that the event gives money to worthy causes each year, and this year is no exception.
“Proceeds from Radford Craft and Draft go right back into our community,”explained Murphy. “We are excited to announce that we’ll be donating a portion of this year’s event proceeds to RAFT Crisis Hotline [961-8400]. RAFT offers free paraprofessional phone counseling services and provide suicide and crisis intervention, empathy and support, mental health and substance abuse information and referrals.”
The musical line up for the day includes the following three local bands playing a wide variety of genres, each with their own, unique sound.
Participating bands are:
Jimothy – A pop rock band based around the work of band leader Jim Bohon. This 6-piece band seamlessly moves between genres in its original music, as well as their creative take on covers.
Surrender Dorothy – A collection of entertainers playing a wide range of genres, including covers and original songs. They excite the audience with their stage performances while playing music they describe as ‘RockaCountryFunkaBilly’.
Brian Mesko Trio – Jazz and Funk
Murphy founded Craft and Draft in 2015, owner of the former Green Heron Arts and current Executive Director of local non-profit organization, MountainTrotter.
“Under Murphy’s leadership, MountainTrotter now produces Craft and Draft, along with several other arts-related events, including the popular summer series, West End Wednesdays,”state organizers of the festival. “While Craft and Draft was designed to showcase skilled artisans, it also focuses on the importance of shopping small and having strong camaraderie within the Radford community, including its citizens, and other small business owners.”
Volunteer and sponsor opportunities are still available – for this and more information please visit on Facebook or online at: https://www.mountaintrotterarts.com/craftanddraft.