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Buchanan Garden Festival
May 2, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rediscover the charm of small town America during Buchanan’s 7th annual Buchanan Garden Festival on Saturday, May 2nd. Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 4:00 p.m.
A little bit of something for everyone, Buchanan’s Garden Festival celebrates gardens, outdoor living and home improvements.
Nestled along the bank of the James River, dozens of vendors will be set up as part of the Festival’s Show and Sale behind the historic Wilson Warehouse/Community House and Town Park.
Annuals, perennials, trees, bird houses and garden whimsies are a few of the items you may find as you explore vendors booths set up in the Lawn. Handmade crafts, local and regional artists as well as home and outdoor living vendors compliment the garden treasures you will find at the event.
A favorite feature of the event is the May Pole Dance.
Local youth practice each year to reenact the late Victorian tradition which took place at the turn of the century where students gathered on the playground to dance around the May Pole in “fancy dresses.”
As the music plays the children dance around the pole, weaving colorful ribbons round and round the Pole ending with a colorful braid reaching to the bottom of the pole.
Additional activities include Live Music, Kid’s Games & Crafts, a Kid’s Tea Party, Educational Talks featuring guest speakers from the Roanoke Master Gardener Program, a Plein Air Painting Competition, and a full day of fun set in the garden of the historic Wilson Warehouse and the Town Park.
Tasty food, inspiring gift ideas, and one-of-a-kind crafts, art, antiques, plants, flowers, outdoor living, home repair and kid’s activities are a sampling of what you will find during your visit to this year’s Festival. While you are here, you will want to explore our historic Main Street where you will find locally owned shops and restaurants filling buildings dating from the early 1800’s through the nostalgic 1950’s.
Garden Speakers
Virginia Master Gardeners will be sharing hot gardening topics during two separate programs from their tent on the Lawn.
Guest Speakers & Schedule TO BE ANNOUNCED
11:30 am –
1:30pm –
Entertainment
Music of the Blue Ridge Mountains includes many instruments, styles, and sounds. The Town of Buchanan is proud to carry on that heritage with live performances during the Buchanan Garden Festival with Rebecca Bryant the “Singing Cowgirl” known for her performances featuring the Autoharp while singing the old cowboy, country, and gospel songs. Warren and Kelly Amberson, the multi-instrumentalists of Common Folk and the bluegrass powerhouse Acoustic Endeavors will be performing a mix of bluegrass and folk tunes as they introduce a whole new generation of fans to bluegrass in the Roanoke Valley.
Schedule
10:00am – Opening
10:00am – 12:00pm – Quick Draw Plein Air Artists painting in Garden and Town Park
10:30am – TO BE ANNOUNCED
11:00am until 1:00pm – TO BE ANNOUNCED
11:30 am – Scott Wilde-Mason Bees: TO BE ANNOUNCED
12:30pm to 3:30pm Art Stroll and People’s Choice Award Voting and Judges Voting
1:00pm – Children’s Tea Party
1:00pm until 3:00pm – TO BE ANNOUNCED
1:30pm – TO BE ANNOUNCED
3:00pm – 4:00pm – TO BE ANNOUNCED
3:45pm Plein Air Competition Award presentation located under Art Tent
Quick Draw Plein Air Competition
2020 Buchanan Garden Festival PLEIN AIR COMPETITION APPLICATION
The Buchanan Garden Festival announces the return of the Buchanan Quick Draw Plein Air Competition. The Plein Air, or, outdoor painting competition is open to all artists. Artists in the competition have only two hours to complete their work. During this time, all registered participants will set up their supplies and paint in the historic Wilson Warehouse Gardens, or, adjacent Buchanan Town Park.
Each participant has two hours to create a unique work of art. After the paintings are completed, they will be displayed on the artists’ easels under the Show Tent from 12:30pm until 3:30pm. During this time, the public will vote for their favorite piece to win the People’s Choice Award. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories; First Place – $100, People’s Choice – $50, Children’s Show – $25. Winning entries will be on display at the Buchanan Town Hall during the month of May.
Plein Air Competition Timeline
Saturday, May 2, 2020 9:00am to 10:00am Mandatory artist check-in at the Show Booth within the Garden of the historic Wilson Warehouse.
10:00 am siren will sound. Artists have until 12:00 noon to paint within the areas of the Garden of the historic Wilson Warehouse, or, Buchanan Town Park.
12:00pm Noon Siren will sound an end to the painting time.
12:00pm until 12:30pm Artists return to Registration Area and drop off their finished work on easel.
12:30pm to 3:30pm Art Stroll and People’s Choice Award Voting and Judges Voting.
3:45pm Award presentation located under tent
4:00pm Artists pickup their painting and easel
“Art In the Garden” Paint Session
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Kid’s Activities
The kids are sure to enjoy themselves at the Garden Festival where they will find specially designed activities and games just for them. There will be Fishing in a Barrel, Lawn Bowling, Corn Hole, an Art Wall and a Tea Party.
Children’s Tea Party
Back by popular demand, the Buchanan Garden Festival Kid’s Tea Party. A special activity just for the young ones, a Children’s Tea Party for children ages 4 and up! Tickets are available in advance only – $5 per child. To register, email smboblett@gmail.com “Fancy” attire is suggested. The Tea will feature light refreshments and apple juice or water all set amongst the beautiful Garden of the Historic Wilson Warehouse. The Tea will begin at 1:00pm in the Garden. Please remember, preregistration is required for the event, the cost for the Tea is $5. Additional Details will be posted at a later date.
Children’s Craft Vendor Applications
This year’s Garden Festival features a new activity just for the young ones, the opportunity to set up and sell their handmade crafts for just $5 a space. The proceeds from these vendor space payments will be donated to the Buchanan Elementary School Backpack Buddy Program. The kid’s get to keep the money from the sales of their crafts. To register, download this packet 2020 Buchanan Garden Festival KIDS CRAFT VENDOR APPLICATION
Touch A Tractor
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Garden Festival Fund Raisers
Volunteers from the Buchanan Special Events Committee are offering “Opportunity to Own” tickets for a $1.00 donation each. There will be drawings for prizes. Prizes to be announced at a later date.
The drawing will take place at the end of the Buchanan Garden Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2020. You do not have to be present to win.
Food & Beverages
Pet Policy – Visitors are requested to leave their pets at home during the Buchanan Garden Festival. The crowded events create an environment that is not conducive to our four legged friends. The safety of both you and your pet is important to us and we ask that all visitors adhere to this policy. (Certified Service Dogs are allowed)
Volunteer with Us!
| Buchanan simply LOVES our volunteers! The Town of Buchanan produces twenty to thirty events and festivals throughout the year. The successful execution of these events is dependent to a large degree on the generosity of our many volunteers. These dedicated individuals help us set up, sell food and beverages, sell tickets, and, many other duties. We LOVE our volunteers, and, can always use additional help.
While we cannot provide big compensation, we can guarantee lots of fun, the opportunity to meet new people as well as hang out with old friends, free admission, and in some cases, some freebies as well – and always the feeling of being part of the community. Please email us at hgleason@buchanan-va.gov or call at 540-254-1212 x 4, if you are interested in signing up for or getting more information about volunteering. |
Festival Shirts
Buchanan Garden Festival Tee Shirts are available for $15.00 each.
This year’s shirts feature the “LOVE” sign as you see it in the Garden of the Historic Wilson Warehouse, a white picket fence with a boxwood and flower LOVE sign.
Festival goers enjoy taking their photos and selfies in front of the sign so it was a natural choice for this year’s shirt.
Shirts are being sold during the Festival for $15.00 each so be sure to drop by the Buchanan Special Events Committee Tent to purchase a shirt while learning about the many upcoming Buchanan events.
The Town thanks the volunteers of the Buchanan Special Events Committee for their hard work and dedication to making Buchanan a better place to live. Thank you.
Merchant Sidewalk Sale
Be sure to stroll along Main Street to take advantage of the Merchant Sidewalk Sale! Along Main Street you will find a unique blend of locally owned shops featuring art, antiques, books, furnishings and more.
Thinking about being a vendor? We have plenty of room to grow with space available for vendors offering landscape design services, gardening supplies, outdoor living items, plants, flowers, herbs, art & antiques and more.
If you wish to be a vendor, use this application.
2020 Buchanan Garden Festival CRAFT VENDOR APPLICATION
Fill out the application and return to the Buchanan Downtown Revitalization Program. For additional information call 540-254-1212 extension 4.