PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR UPDATES ABOUT THE 2023 FESTIVAL,
SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 6 - 8, 2023!
*** ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS ABOUT THE 2022 FESTIVAL. ***
October 7 - 9, 2022 • County-wide
Celebrate the beauty and bounty of fall with the annual Hands & Harvest Festival in Highland County, Virginia!
Enjoy a fun family-friendly weekend in our rural mountain community!
Follow us at www.facebook.com/HighlandCounty or www.instagram.com/highland_county_va.
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce will be following current recommended CDC and VDH guidelines on COVID-19.
virginia.org
Click to view and download our promotional rack card. To order a physical copy, visit our brochures page.
WIN a private class with Margie Boesch, owner of Highland Barn Quilts, to learn how to design and execute a 2' x 2' barn quilt of your own! Buy a raffle ticket from the Chamber at the Monterey Courthouse Lawn on Friday from 3 - 7 pm, Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm, or Sunday from 11 am - 4 pm. The winner will also receive a 2' x 2' patriotic barn quilt by Loy Harvey. $5 a ticket, or 5 tickets for $20. Winner will be drawn on Tuesday, October 11.
Want to experience parts of the Hands & Harvest Festival without driving? Hop on the bus with Roanoke Tours as they visit Southernmost Maple, Fair Lawn Farm, and town of Monterey on Saturday, October 8. Book your trip by clicking here!
2022 Sponsors
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Interested in being a Sponsor or Participant? CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE!
2022 Hands & Harvest Events
2022 Map with Daily Schedule
Plan your adventure! View and download the front and back of our official 2022 map by clicking on the images above.
During the festival, pick up physical copies at the Courthouse Lawn in Monterey or at various locations around Highland County!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND PRINT A 3-PAGE DAILY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2022 Entertainment
Mike Eye and Cory Thomas • Acoustic duo • Friday: 3 - 6 pm • Big Fish Cider in Monterey
Eyes on Him • Bluegrass • Friday at Courthouse in Monterey: During Arts & Crafts Show • Saturday at Southernmost Maple: Noon
The Original Rhondels
The Highland Center at 61 Highland Center Drive off of Spruce Street in Monterey
Saturday: 7 pm • FREE!
From Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Original Rhondels are a music tradition who have performed their hit recordings in almost every major city in the United States. In 1969, Bill Deal and the Rhondels began a recording career that would take them to Madison Square Garden and across the country. With 3 top 10 hits, “May I”, “I’ve Been Hurt”, and “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am”, the band hit the road, delighting their audiences with outstanding vocals, powerful brass, and exciting showmanship. These hits also topped the charts in Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Germany and Mexico. The Hands & Harvest Festival welcomes back this popular and energetic group that held a standing-room only crowd in 2019. Learn more at www.billdealsband.com.
Donations to benefit the Highland County Arts Council will be gratefully accepted, but there will be no admission fee due to the generous support of the Charles Pinckney Jones Foundation.
Popular mobile brick oven pizza will serve beginning at 4pm before the show. Drinks will be available for purchase.
*** Concert is presented by the Highland County Arts Council, a Gold Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival
Street Dance featuring the Little Switzerland Cloggers and Square Dance Callers Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe
Spruce Street in Downtown Monterey next to the Highland County Courthouse
Sunday: 1 - 3 pm • FREE! • Bring your own lawn chairs!
Enjoy watching and participating in a good ol' fashioned Street Dance, featuring The Little Switzerland Cloggers and experienced local callers Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe. The Little Switzerland Cloggers, one of the oldest Clogging groups in Virginia, began performing in 1985 and enjoy entertaining audiences at fairs, festivals, events, parties, and corporate events throughout Virginia and West Virginia. Since they strive to have something for everyone in their shows, their routines feature a wide variety of music from bluegrass and country to oldies and today’s top hits. Whether you’re 8 or 80, you'll enjoy their performance! For more information on the Little Switzerland Cloggers or their studio classes, visit www.sundancestudio.net.
Hungry Sunday afternoon? Swing by the Monterey Presbyterian Church just off of Spruce Street (50 Spruce Street, Monterey) starting around 12:30 pm for chili, baked potatoes with topping choices of sour cream, butter, vegan butter, cheddar cheese, broccoli, chili or bacon bits, crackers, bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate and baked goods!
2022 Arts & Crafts
Shop for a special gift with the following unique vendors at the Highland County Courthouse Lawn!
165 West Main Street in Downtown Monterey
Friday: 3 – 7 pm • Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm • Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
A Pixxie's Art
Original artwork, note cards, decoupage bottles, and jewelry
Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
Yard sale with household items, furniture, jewelry, and more to benefit this 501c3 nonprofit's mission.
Especially for You!
Unique one-of-a-kind earrings and hand-painted goblets by local crafter Donna Gardner
Fiber and Jewels
Baskets, knitting and felted items, paintings, and jewelry
Fin Irene
Apples, pears, bread, jam, apple sauce, and apple cider
Friday and Saturday ONLY!
GarrsonArt
Original Paintings - Landscapes, Abstracts, Impressionism
Highland Arts Academy Exhibits and Demonstrations
Artist demonstrations will be scheduled throughout the weekend. Just a short walk will take you to the Gallery on Main Street at 132 West Main Street in Monterey, where various types of media by Highland County artists will be featured and on sale.
Highland Farmers’ Market
Highland County Courthouse Lawn (Moved from The Highland Center pavilion)
Friday ONLY!
Get your local fresh produce, gifts, and more at the last Highland Farmers’ Market of the year!
Little Big Dog Rescue
22nd Annual Sweater Sale to support this 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue
Luna's Landing
Organic bath milk and salts and skin products, and handmade jewelry with natural stones
Mill Gap Farms
Alpaca and merino winter wear - handwoven scarves, hats, gloves, socks, mittens, and more, as well as maple syrup products
Pocahontas County Arts Council
Pottery, paintings, potions, glass collages, and more!
Puff's BBQ from Southernmost Maple
Pork BBQ, beef brisket, hot dogs, country ham, coleslaw, french fries, drinks, and Maple Donuts!
Friday and Saturday ONLY!
Rescued Wood Creations
Artistic wood designs and outdoor furniture from rescued wood
The Cockerhams
Pottery made in Highland County and local photography
On Friday, enjoy acoustic music on the Courthouse Lawn from local band Eyes on Him! You'll also catch them at Southernmost Maple on Saturday starting at noon.
Interested in being a vendor? Contact us at director@highlandcounty.org or call 540-468-2550.
2022 Harvest Trail
Back Creek Farms
7781 Upper Back Creek Road, Monterey (From Rt. 84, 3.5 miles northeast on Rt. 600)
Friday: 12 – 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm
Enjoy a taste of our apple butter - with cornbread, as well as apple sauce, delicious maple syrup, and gifts!
* Experience a tour and get your passport stamped here as part of the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail!
Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary
4661 Doe Hill Road, McDowell (5 miles northeast of McDowell on Rt. 654)
Friday - Sunday: 1 - 5 pm
Tour the Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary to meet the resident mini horses, donkeys, and mules who are in our care.
* Sturdy shoes and clothing recommended. Wheelchair accessible.
* Fair Lawn Farm (Duff's Sugar House)
3118 Mill Gap Road, Monterey (7 miles south of Monterey in Meadowdale on Rt. 84)
Friday: 12 - 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm • Sunday: 12 - 5 pm
Bring the entire family to this Victorian homestead, farm, and sugar camp to pick a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, fish in the stocked trout pond, sample in-house smoked cheese, and taste fresh apple butter and cider. On Saturday, you can also enjoy homemade ice cream!
* Experience a tour and get your passport stamped here as part of the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail!
*** Fair Lawn Farm is a Gold Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival
* Highland Barn Quilts Studio
2608 Meadowdale Road, Monterey (On Rt. 640 between Meadowdale and Hightown)
Saturday: 9:30 am – 4 pm
At this open studio, view the process of painting barn quilts (painted quilt designs on wood) with artist Margie Boesch.
* Did you know that Highland County is home to Virginia's first barn quilt trail? Click here to discover more about the Highland County Barn Quilt Trail.
* Highland Barn Quilts is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival
* You can win a private class with Margie Boesch, owner of Highland Barn Quilts! Learn how to design and execute a 2' x 2' barn quilt of your own! Buy a raffle ticket from the Chamber at the Monterey Courthouse Lawn on Friday from 3 - 7 pm, Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm, or Sunday from 11 am - 4 pm. The winner will also receive a 2' x 2' patriotic barn quilt by Loy Harvey. $5 a ticket, or 5 tickets for $20. Winner will be drawn on Tuesday, October 11.
Laurel Fork Sapsuckers Sugar Camp
10677 Mountain Turnpike, Hightown (10 miles west of Monterey on Clay Hise Lane)
Friday: Noon - 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm • Sunday: 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday apple butter cooking, Sunday morning Blueberry Brunch with blueberry pancakes, sausage and maple-cinnamon fried apples, and hiking loop trail.
* Experience a tour and get your passport stamped here as part of the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail!
Mill Gap Farms
2760 Mill Gap Road, Monterey (7 miles south of Monterey in Meadowdale on Rt. 84)
Saturday: 9 am – 3 pm • Sunday: 12 – 3 pm
Farm tours with alpacas, sheep, and Virginia's only Certified Organic maple operation. Products for sale on farm and Monterey Courthouse.
* Experience a tour and get your passport stamped here as part of the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail!
* Southernmost Maple
7738 Big Valley Road, Bolar
Friday: 9 am – 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am – ? pm, Eyes on Him at Noon
Family fun! Enjoy old-fashioned apple butter and cider making, free kids’ fishing pond, live music, old-time blacksmith demonstrations, fresh hot maple donuts, and hot food for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Shop our rustic country store with maple syrup, jam, jellies, Amish-made butter, cheese, baked goods and more!
* Southernmost Maple is a Silver Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
Strait Creek Farm
5091 Potomac River Road, Monterey (5 miles north of Monterey on Rt. 220)
Friday: 11 am - 4 pm • Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Pick-your-own pumpkin patch and fall-themed activities! Choose from a variety of pumpkins locally grown in Highland County.
* Sugar Tree Country Store
185 Mansion House Road, McDowell
Friday and Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
Unique store featuring their own maple syrup and apple butter. On Saturday, they will make apple butter and press cider.
* Experience a tour and get your passport stamped here as part of the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail!
* Sugar Tree Country Store is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival
2022 Activities & Attractions
* 5K Fall Color Run by the Highland County Recreation Commission
78 Highland Park Drive, Monterey
Saturday: 10 am Start Time - Register online by clicking here or between 9 and 9:30 am before the event!
Join in the fun with the 5K Fall Color Run! Color runners are covered in fall-colored powder in this untimed, non-competitive event. At the end, there is a massive color throw! Registration includes an official shirt, color band, and color packet. Adults: $20. Children and Student Athletes: $10.
* The Highland County Recreation Commission is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Heart and Soul Massage School Gemstone Mining
125 West Mill Alley, Monterey
Friday: Noon - 3 pm • Saturday: 10 am - 3 pm • Sunday: 11 am - 2 pm
Bring the family for gemstone mining, a fun event for ALL ages! Sand buckets will be filled with crackable geodes, raw crystals, tumbles and more to explore. Take home some goodies from the gift shop, too. Book a massage any time of the year!
* Heart and Soul Massage School is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival
* Highland Arts Academy Exhibits and Demonstrations
132 West Main Street, Monterey
Friday: 3 - 7 pm • Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm • Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
Visit the new Gallery on Main Street in downtown Monterey for multimedia artwork and demonstrations featuring Highland County artists.
*** The Highland County Arts Council is a Gold Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival
* Highland County Public Library Annual Used Book Sale
31 North Water Street, Monterey
Friday: 9 am - 6 pm • Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm • Sunday: 11 am - 3 pm
The popular Annual Used Book Sale to benefit the library returns!
* The Highland County Public Library is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Historic Highland Inn Renovation Information from the Blue Grass Resource Center + Historic Monterey Walking Tours
68 West Main Street, Monterey
Friday: 3 - 6 pm • Saturday and Sunday: 11 am - 3 pm • Historic Monterey Walking Tours Sunday at 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Historic Highland Inn restoration project volunteers will be available to talk about what has been done and what is to come! Literature about the project will be available from a display in front. Meet Sunday at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm for free walking tours of Monterey!
* The Blue Grass Resource Center is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
Jones/McCoy House Sneak Peek from the Highland Historical Society
145 West Main Street, Monterey
Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm • Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
Tour the beautiful renovations of this historic Highland County home.
Sounding Knob Fire Tower
On top of Jack Mountain (just east of Monterey) up a gravel drive up Sounding Knob Road just 1.3 miles south of its intersection with Rt. 250
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Sunrise to sunset
Climb over 100 steps for a lasting memory – and maybe some wobbly legs! This restored fire tower boasts breathtaking views.
* Please be sure to exit right when leaving Sounding Knob Road and entering Rt. 250. Vehicles with very low clearance may have difficulty with water breaks on Sounding Knob Road, but most vehicles have no issues.
* The Highland Center
61 Highland Center Drive off of Spruce Street in Monterey
Friday: 9 am – 7 pm • Saturday: 4 - 9 pm
Gallery of Highland Opening Reception: Friday, October 7 from 5 - 7 pm with local artwork on display and for sale. Popular mobile brick oven pizza will be served beginning at 4 pm on Saturday, October 8. The Original Rhondels will perform at 7 pm. Drinks will be available for purchase.
* The Highland Center is a Silver Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
Valley AeroSpace Team Rocket Launch
Launch is held at Jack Mountain Village, just 3 miles south on Rt. 220 from the Monterey intersection of Rt. 250 and Rt. 220. It is located on the eastern side of Rt. 220 at an approximate address of 3003 Jackson River Rd, Monterey, VA 24465.
Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm • Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm * Weather permitting both days *
Attendees can launch their own rockets under VAST's experienced supervision, launch one of the club’s extra rockets, or simply watch!
* Lawn/camp chairs and a canopy recommended!
2022 Shopping, Dining, & Lodging
* Big Fish Cider
59 Spruce Street, Monterey
Friday: 3 – 7 pm • Saturday: 12 – 7 pm • Sunday: 1 – 5 pm
Enjoy tastings of Big Fish Cider's award-winning, locally-grown, and locally-made ciders in Monterey! Big Fish Cider will have live music on Friday from 3 – 6 pm with Mike Eye and Cory Thomas. On Saturday afternoon, enjoy apple cider pressing demonstrations behind the cidery. Kirk, the orchardist and cider maker will be on hand to talk about varieties of apples and the process that they go through to produce its award-winning ciders. Inside our tasting room, tastings will be available of many of our award-winning ciders made with fruit that is naturally grown without herbicides and pesticides.
* Big Fish Cider is a Silver Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Blue Grass Mercantile
2558 Blue Grass Valley Road, Blue Grass
Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 7 pm • Sunday: 12 - 5 pm
Specialty Brunswick Stew and other hot food, grocery items, maple products, honey, beer, wine, Big Fish Cider, and more!
* Blue Grass Mercantile is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Blue Grass Valley Bank
132 East Main Street, Monterey
2583 Blue Grass Valley Road, Blue Grass
Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 4 pm • Friday: 9 am - 6 pm • Saturday: 9 am - Noon
Since 1915, we have provided service unlike any other. Keep your business local with a Bank that appreciates your community. Stop by for a wide variety of products and services, or visit our website. Come see why we are “The Best Little Bank in the Virginias.” ATM available in Monterey.
* Blue Grass Valley Bank is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
Bolar Ruritan Scholarship Foundation Food
32 West Main Street, Monterey
Friday: 3 - 7 pm • Saturday and Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
Brunswick Stew and cornbread will be served to benefit the Bolar Ruritan Club's Scholarship Foundation.
* Claire's Cakes & Café
107 West Main Street, Monterey
Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm
Located on Main Street in Monterey, join us weekdays Wednesdays through Saturdays for Breakfast, Lunch, assorted pastries and barista style coffees. Special seasonal items in the display case!
* Claire's Cakes & Café is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Doe Hill Mercantile
7463 Doe Hill Road, Doe Hill (7.5 miles north of McDowell on Rt. 654)
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
Grand opening of an original 1893 country mercantile! Come experience a piece of history and stay to enjoy an old fashioned Heirloom Seed & Daffodil Bulb Swap, with proceeds going towards the preservation of the building. Original antique ribbons, laces, & trims will be available to purchase as well.
* Doe Hill Mercantile is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
Fantastic Finds
78 Wilson Avenue, Monterey
Friday: 10 am - 3 pm • Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm • Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
Thrift store filled with local wonders!
Ginseng Mountain Farm & Store
6359 Potomac River Road, Blue Grass (6 miles north of Monterey)
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 12 – 5 pm
New-time country store! Grass-fed lamb and beef, sheepskins, local crafts, braided rugs, honey, maple syrup, country living books and more.
* High's Restaurant
73 East Main Street, Monterey
Monday - Saturday: 11 am - 8 pm • Sunday: 11 am - 7 pm
Voted One of the World's Best Affordable Restaurants by Tripadvisor. Inch Thick Ribeye Steaks, Local Trout, Gourmet Burgers, Seafood, Italian, Salads, Brunch, 1950's Ice Cream Shop, Specialty Desserts, & More. Full menu is available at HighsRestaurant.com.
* High's Restaurant is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Hull's Hideaway Restaurant & Tavern
37 Potomac River Road, Monterey
Thursday - Saturday: 8 am - 8 pm
Enjoy this family restaurant with specialty fall items of Maple BBQ Ribs, Maple Pork BBQ Sandwich, Fried Trout, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Roll, Maple Ice Cream Sundae, Blackberry Cobbler, and Root Beer Float.
* Hull's Hideaway Restaurant & Tavern is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Naples on Back Creek
5403 Upper Back Creek Road, Monterey (From Rt. 84, 6 miles northeast on Rt. 600)
Stay in this home with room for the entire family year-round in beautiful Highland County featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, as well as a 1.5 mile walking trail, hot tub, and dry sauna! VRBO • Airbnb
* Naples on Back Creek is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
* Summit Community Bank
195 West Main Street, Monterey
Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 5 pm • Friday: 9 am - 6 pm • Saturday: Lobby/Drive-Thru 9 am - Noon
ITM Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 6:30 pm and Saturday: 8 am - 2 pm • ATM 24/7
Since 1883, Summit Community Bank has been providing exceptional community banking experiences across the region. We’re proud to provide Highland County with customer service that goes beyond what’s expected - a diverse range of personalized financial products including both checking and lending options, plus cutting-edge banking technology. Enjoy extended banking hours with the Summit Assist Teller ITM, bank with a live teller via one-on-one real time video chat at the ITM, available Monday – Friday 7:30 am -6:30 pm and Saturdays 8 am -2 pm! Summit is an Equal Housing Lending, Member FDIC, and proud sponsor of our community and the 2022 Hands and Harvest Festival.
* Summit Community Bank is a Silver Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
Susanna's Confections
The Highland Center at 61 Highland Center Drive off of Spruce Street in Monterey
Friday: 9 am – 6 pm • Saturday: 11 am - 4 pm
Delicious treats! Apple strudel, pumpkin pie, fall-flavored macarons, and other baked goods. Coffee and tea available for purchase.
* The Cabin at Petra
4001 Strait Creek Road, Monterey (3 miles north of Monterey just off Rt. 220)
Stay in a restored 1830’s log cabin 3 miles from Monterey with modern amenities and historic charm! Enjoy beautiful Highland County during the festival or throughout the year.
* The Cabin at Petra is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
The Church at the Old Oak
3898 Meadowdale Road, Monterey (7 miles south of Monterey in Meadowdale just off Rt. 84 on Rt. 640)
Friday: 1 - 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm • Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
Beautifully-restored event venue with local and “almost local” arts and crafts, baked goods, and other treasures for sale!
* The Curly Maple
174 West Main Street, Monterey
Friday: 10 am - 6 pm • Saturday and Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
This restored general store is now a local shop, restaurant and lodging facility! Browse fall-inspired inventory, cider, maple syrup, honey, apparel, coffee, and more. Special fall menu includes homemade items of Pulled Pork Nachos, Loaded Baked Potato w/ Chili, Pork and Apple Slider, Butternut Squash Soup, and Fall Harvest Salad!
* The Curly Maple is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2022 Hands & Harvest Festival.
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