Steppin’ Out has something for everyone to enjoy, including music from the Main Stage starting at 2 p.m. Aug. 1 and concluding at 10 p.m. Aug. 2.
Abby Whitt
Contributing writer
Enjoy 24 hours of art, music and more in Blacksburg this weekend during the 44th Annual Steppin’ Out Festival, hosted by Downtown Blacksburg Inc.
Tracie Hughes, executive director of DBI said that Steppin’ Out “is more than just a tradition in Virginia — it’s a time when we get together, despite our differences, and celebrate summer, our town, and each other.”
Music will be across three stages from 2-11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, and from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2.
The Main Stage will feature Root Down, First to Mars, Solacoustix, Annie Stokes and The Jared Stout Band on Friday, and the Panjammers, Father Sun, Nappy Head Funk Army, Dreams Gone Active, Kevin Vandyke and The Wilson Springs Hotel on Saturday.
The Jared Stout Band, comprised of Jared Stout (guitar/lead vocals), Alex Gross (bass guitar/vocals), Matt Brassington (lead guitar/vocals) Robby Carden (harmonica/secondary percussion) and Jeremy Price (drums), is a native Southwestern Virginia band that regularly plays at the FloydFest music festival in Floyd County.
In 2022, the alt-country powerhouse band was runner up in the On-the-Rise competition and played a VIP set at the 2025 FloydFest Aurora festival last week.
Father Sun’s specialty is reggae covers and original compositions. The band’s website states that the band’s performances “are not mere musical exhibitions; they are heartfelt celebrations of life and the universal language of music.”
Father Sun is composed of Janiah Allen on bass, Nyo Allen on drums and Aram Skenderian on lead guitar.
The Wilson Springs Hotel will close out the festival from the Main Stage on Aug. 2. Based out of Richmond, the band blends country and western swing with bluegrass, folk and rock to produce their own unique, high-powered sound.
On the Acoustic Stage, find Tim Thornton, American Roots, Tell Jenny, and Hatfield on Friday, followed by Chris Long, Kat Mills, Stella Trudel, Virginia Hollow, The Hot Mamas, and Lillian Hackett on Saturday.
Tim Thornton has a long history of strumming in various bands, including Sula’s Front Porch, Eight Point Star, Fort Vause and the Ephraim Vause Memorial String Band, and is a veteran performer at weddings, festivals, conventions, square dances and more.
His website calls his sound “eclectic,” reaching into blues, gospel and storytelling Americana.
Virginia Hollow is another three-piece band based out of Floyd County, and it features Carrie Hinkley on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Sue Winchester on upright bass and harmony vocals, and Brad Collier on lead guitar and multiple other instruments.
The band’s repertoire includes a blend of Americana, and country and folk, with a hint of bluegrass and rock.
Lillian Hackett is an American Idol alum, and an incoming Virginia Tech Hokie, who has played with the Low Water Bridge Band and Palmyra.
The Community Stage will host the Montgomery County Junior Appalachian Musicians, Blacksburg Dance Theater, Blacksburg Community Strings and Mainstream Music Performances on Friday.
Saturday’s lineup will include the Little Leapers, Dance. Tech, Blacksburg Ballet, Summer Musical Enterprise, Itraab and VA Techniques.
New this year, said Hughes, is Radford University sponsoring a Comfort Station on Jackson Street where visitors can stop by to hydrate, cool off, sit under shade and pick up festival information.
With more than 250 vendors signed up for the event — from as far as New Hampshire and Florida — Hughes recommends checking out the website before heading out to Steppin’ Out. She said there’s plenty to add to your agenda.
“Park easily in the Upper Chicken Hill Lot on the VT campus and ride the free Blacksburg Transit route,” Hughes added. “The drop off is right at the festival.”
There is also the 43rd Annual Draper Mile run, which is a one-mile downhill road race that first took place in 1982 with 97 participants.
Race Day is Aug. 1, and registration costs $25 for adult divisions with a price increase day-of; registration for the Kids Fun Run is free.
Additional details for the race can be found at www.runsignup.com/Race/VA/Blacksburg/DraperMile.
Find the full music schedule, festival guide and more details online at www.blacksburgsteppinout.com.
VA Techniques gymnastics troupe will perform on the Community Stage this Saturday during Steppin’ Out in downtown Blacksburg.
