Finally, a festival for folks that used to go to festivals! The inaugural Homecoming Festival has set its sights on June 9-11, 2017 as the beginning of a new tradition for Alleghany County and Virginia residents. This is a full weekend for intimate, Virginian Music and Art filled experiences in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Set among the beautiful mountains of western Virginia on a sprawling 50 acre farm, the Homecoming Festival invites 19 Virginia-based bands, members of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, and a wide variety of artisans to kick off the inaugural weekend. It is “a 3 day camping optional home-grown celebration of Virginia, filled with intimate musical and art-filled experiences.” Gates open at NOON on Friday, June 9th so set up camp & settle in!

MUSIC/EVENT LINEUP ON FRIDAY, JUNE 9TH:

The Virginia Fast, 3-4pm (genre: contemporary bluegrass)

The Seay Brothers, 4:14-5:15pm. (alt country/pop)

Soco Loco, 5:30-6:30pm (beach country)

Chad Nickell & The Loose Change, 6:45-7:45pm. (alt country/pop/rock)

Gold Top County Ramblers, 8-9pm. (contemporary bluegrass)

Revelator Hill, 9:15-10:15pm. (blues/rock)

Big Mama Shakes, 10:30-11:30pm. (alt country/rock). One of 12 VA bands competing for a spot to play the Lockn Music Fest this August, Big Mama Shakes is joining the Homecoming Fest Friday night, June 9th from RVA. Serving up genre bending originals, these Americana, Richmond boys will NOT disappoint!

MUSIC/EVENT LINEUP ON SATURDAY, JUNE 10TH:

Santana Hope, 12-1pm. (voice of an angel)

Eleven South, 1:15-2:15. (pop/rock Top 40)

Adwela & The Uprising, 2:30-3:30pm. (reggae)

Smokestack Lightnin’, 3:45-4:45pm. (traditional & contemporary blues)

A Rally Cry, 5-6pm. (rock/alternative)

Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns, 6:15-7:15pm. (alt country/bluegrass/rock)

Chamomile & Whiskey, 7:30-8:30pm. (bluegrass/celtic/alt country)

The Southern Belles, 9-10pm. (genre bending/rock/alternative)

***Fireworks show, 10:15pm.***

Rikki Shay, 10:15-11:15pm. (funk/alternative)

MUSIC/EVENT LINEUP ON SUNDAY JUNE 11TH:

Dan Yell Son, 12:15-1:15pm. (alternative/pop/rock)

***Kids Festival with inflatable fun/pony rides/amusement, 1pm.***

***Corn-Hole Tournament, 1pm***

The Reliefs, 1:30-2:30pm. (alt country/blues/jam)

The Magic Honky Tonk Band, 2:45-3:45. (americana/swank alt country)

Divided Highway w/ Denny Fitzgerald, 4-5pm. (traditional bluegrass)

***Wildlife Presentation hosted by the Southwest VA Wildlife Center, 4:30-5:30pm.***

Joe Coffman & Friends, 5:15-6:15pm. (alt country/americana)

ARTIST’S ROW

A playground for art lovers, Homecoming will feature bright & innovative Virginia based talent displaying and selling their creations in: Glass, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, Pottery, Woodwork, Jewelry, Fiber, Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media and Functional Art.

The 2017 Cornhole Tournament begins at 1pm on Sunday and open to ticket holders. There will be cash & prizes for top teams! Teams are comprised of two players, ages 21+. Tournament may be single or double elimination depending on the number of teams participating. Regulation game boards will be provided. The registration fee is $30 and included a commemorative t-shirt for each player.

In an era of tech-savy indulgence and endless to-do lists, the Homecoming Festival is a chance to unplug and unwind. It is a chance to reconnect to humanity and the authentic talents that make life worth living. It is a chance to feel the dirt under your feet, the rhythm in your soul, and the laughter in your spirit. Limited to just 3,000 festival goers, mark your calendars and head to thehomecomingfestival.com to purchase your tickets and reserve your spot in festival history.

– HashtagWV April 2017.