Art, regardless of medium, engages and delights the senses. Whether you prefer music, visual art, or culinary creations, the upcoming arts festival hosted by Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider is certain to have something you’ll enjoy.

On Saturday, August 21st, Hawk Knob will host its inaugural arts festival. The event will take place at the cidery, located at 2245 Blue Sulphur Pike in Lewisburg, from 11am to 7pm.

This free, family-friendly outdoor festival will feature live music throughout the day with Phil Rolleston, Jeanne Hoffman, and Seldom Free. Phil Rolleston tells us, “I’ve been playing throughout the Greenbrier Valley since 1975 as a single performer and in several groups. I do acoustic Americana including originals of friends. I’m looking forward to participating in Hawk’s Knob arts and crafts fair, and I hope my music will contribute to the great atmosphere there!” Vendors will be on-site with an assortment of food and drink options, of course to include your favorite Hawk Knob libations.

Lewisburg’s own Castle Kitchen will service up delicious made-to-order sandwiches…

Lewisburg’s own Castle Kitchen will service up delicious made-to-order sandwiches, snacks, and desserts. And artists and artisans from around the region will showcase and sell their creative wares–from photographs and hand-crafted jewelry to sculptures, ceramics, and more.

The event’s phenomenal lineup of artists will include Misty Walkup, Kathy Talley, Amy Reyes, Sean O’Connell, Eddie Spaghetti (featured on the cover), Leah Trent, Katie Mullens, Jeff Davis, Shea Newton, Suzanne Williams, Tammy Carter, Nancy Peyton, Rachel Dennison, Jessica Osborne, Cleva Friel, Sandy Simmons, Sonya Shafer, Jennifer Ball, and Kelly Bryant.

Hawk Knob is a most fitting host for this community gathering celebrating the arts…

As Lewisburg’s premier purveyor of hand-crafted hard cider and mead, Hawk Knob is a most fitting host for this community gathering celebrating the arts, as its cider making process is an art itself and the resultant beverage is to the taste buds as an aria to the ear or an Impressionist sunset to the eye.

Founding owner and CEO Joshua Bennett, head cider maker and operations manager William Gudmundsson, tasting room cider slinger Chris Neil, and sales director and account executive Jason Nerenberg all have deep ties to the Mountain State, as well as an appreciation for the history of Appalachian cider making. Traditionally, cider making in the mountains, which predates Prohibition, involved heritage apple varieties, wild apples, or a combination of the two. These ciders were commonly fermented and aged in used whiskey or bourbon barrels–a method that has since become a modern trend. Knowing the history and the roots of their craft, the artisans of Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider pay homage to the past through their current process.

The Hawk Knob arts festival is further proof that historic Lewisburg is one of the best small arts towns in the country.

The Hawk Knob arts festival is further proof that historic Lewisburg is one of the best small arts towns in the country. Join your fellow art aficionados as they descend upon Greenbrier County to see, hear, taste, and imbibe the best that local artists have to offer. All your senses will thank you. Y’all come! For more information, follow @HawkKnob on the socials and visit HawkKnob.com.

– Tiffany Williams, HashtagWV #134. August 2021.