UPDATED: Big Weekend with Folk Festival and Mountain Day in Downtown Buena Vista   The kick off Friday evening is the first Blue Ridge Foothills Folk Festival, featuring 1960s folk singers and recording artists at Glen Maury Park. On stage will be Jim Connor, Ray Blouin Josh White, Jr., and House Mountain and Mrs. C’s Singers. The musical event sponsored by Beacon Credit Union opens at 6:30 pm. The performers played with nationally popular groups like, the New Kingston Trio, the Wayfarers and John Denver. Jim Connor wrote the hit song Grandma’s Feather Bed. Mountain Day follows on Saturday with a full day of entertainment and fun for everyone in the region. The all day festival opens at 10:00 am and features 12 hours of continuous live music, and over 80 exhibitors featuring live skill demonstrations and informational displays related to our natural heritage and history. Mountain Day an annual celebration of the culture, traditions, history and beauty of the surrounding mountains and Shenandoah Valley The event is presented by Celebrate Buena Vista and sponsored by Blue Dog Art Gallery and Kids University. Last year over 5,000 people attended the one day downtown festival. Mountain Biking on Saturday morning compliments the festival activities with the first annual A Hill of a Climb. The bike race, sponsored by Dr. Randy Short, is a challenging 4.8 mile bike race, up Robinson's Gap Road towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. Magnolia Avenue will be closed to traffic between 20th and 22nd streets. Arts & crafts, living history interpreters, a hot dog-eating contest, children’s activities, storytelling, pony rides, a classic car show, Antique farm equipment, food, the annual Lucky Duck contest, and much more, including some surprises. Continuous live music on two stages features Nashville recording artist Ross Keys Country, Plank Road Express, Melissa Branin, RockMutt, Fading Point, Aspen Black, Gary Hatter, and Mrs. C’s Pickers. A Barbeque Chicken Dinner will be hosted by the Buena Vista Volunteer Fire Department. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Buena Vista community and support beautification efforts and other community improvement activities. Visit www.CelebrateBuenaVista.org for more information.

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