The 48th annual Wilderness Trail Festival sponsored by the Christiansburg Kiwanis Club will take place in downtown Christiansburg on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Last year’s festival was cancelled because of the pandemic. Because some sponsors and vendors chose to donate their pre-paid fees to the club and the club had some reserves on hand, all planned youth activities were funded.
This year’s event will include the usual local arts and crafts vendors, craft demonstrations, a children’s area, two stages, an emergency services area, great food all day, and raffles.
Space is at a premium, so those who have not already applied need to get their applications in soon while space is still available.
A noticeable change to this year’s footprint is that Hickok Street will be closed by the town for planned repairs. The vendors normally located there will be moved to East Main Street and the medical parking lot.
The Home Improvement Row continues to grow and will be located on West Main Street near Burger King. Spaces will be available to anyone involved in the home improvement line of business.
The overall festival footprint continues to increase as an additional food court will be added, the number of vendors has grown so that space now extends on Main Street from Burger King to town hall.
The children’s area will be located in front of the Atlantic Union Bank branch at the intersection of Main and Franklin streets. It will include two inflatables: a slide, and a bouncy house. This location is close to the emergency service location on South Franklin Street that will include fire trucks, rescue vehicles, and police cars.
The live crafters area has been greatly enhanced and will be located on East Main Street in the town hall parking lot. This area will include a blacksmith, a wood turner, a basket maker, a bullet maker, hand-crafted leather; a corn shuck chair bottomer, and the Wilderness Trail Museum.
The community stage sponsored by Shentel will be in the Dollar General Store parking lot on West Main Street near Burger King with performances beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00. Any performers interested in showcasing their talent at the festival, should call 540-230-5494. Individual performers and small groups are welcome to apply.
A second stage sponsored by Great Road on Main will be located on North Franklin Street at the intersection of Main Street near the Atlantic Union Bank. Again, performers will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Two food courts will offer several vendors preparing and cooking fresh food. One food court
will be located on North Franklin Street near the Main and Franklin intersection and the other will be placed on East Main Street near the Christiansburg Town Hall.
Openings for food vendors are still available.
In past years, the arts and craft festival has drawn from 7,500 to 10,000 attendees from all over Virginia and neighboring states.
All proceeds from this event benefit the youth-focused programs of the Christiansburg Kiwanis Club, which assumed operation of the festival from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce in 2009.
Admission to the event, parking, and the children’s area is free.
For more information about the festival, visit www.wildernesstrailfestival.com.
