Fall is sweet in Highland County, Virginia at the 2024 Hands & Harvest Festival

Highland County’s annual Hands & Harvest Festival returns with county-wide fall fun during the weekend of October 11 – 13, 2024, where everyone is invited to celebrate the traditions, harvest, and crafts found in this rural mountain community.

From farms to a fire tower, visitors can experience the sights and tastes of the season while viewing the beautiful countryside of fall foliage.  On the self-guided Harvest Trail, the public is encouraged to take part in traditional fall staples like cider pressing, making apple butter, or picking pumpkins at local farms and maple sugar camps, or they can try something different like taking a tour of a mini equine sanctuary or viewing the process of creating colorful barn quilts.  Highland County is home to Virginia’s first Barn Quilt Trail, and the updated brochure now includes 80 barn quilts to discover while traveling.

Community activities include an exciting 5K Fall Color Run, Valley AeroSpace Team Rocket Launches, the restored Sounding Knob Fire Tower, Highland County Public Library Used Book Sale, 25th Annual Sweater Sale from Little Big Dog Rescue, historic Monterey walking tours starting from the Highland Inn, and more.  Newer attractions like the Charles Pinckney Jones House Museum, the working cattle farm of Hazy Hollow Farm, the local art gallery of Art on Main at the 3rd Space, and gemstone mining at the Rock Shop at Heart and Soul Massage School add to the opportunities to create lasting memories. 

Free entertainment in Monterey is available for the entire family!  Kick off your weekend on Friday afternoon with acoustic music starting at 3 pm from Michael Bedwell while you shop with vendors at the Highland County Courthouse Lawn.  On Saturday starting at 11 am, children can take a ride on Andy’s Bug Train that is sure to bring smiles.  The Highland County Arts Council and sponsorships from local churches present Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven at The Highland Center on Saturday starting at 4 pm.  Follow that up with a Square Dance Workshop and Dance from experienced local callers Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe at The Highland Center from 7 – 9 pm.  On Sunday afternoon starting at 1 pm, join in the excitement of an old-fashioned Street Dance on Spruce Street with one of Virginia’s oldest clogging groups, the Little Switzerland Cloggers, as well as square dance callers Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe for a rollicking performance and interactive fun.  

Get an early start on holiday shopping at the Arts & Crafts Vendor Market located at the courthouse lawn featuring talented local and regional artisans.  Complete your shopping needs by visiting an old general store or unique venue nestled among the countryside like Sugar Tree Country Store, Blue Grass Mercantile, Ginseng Mountain Farm & Store, The Church at the Old Oak, or the Highland Roots Market.

Bring your appetite, because there will be abundant food options available around the county with seasonal offerings.  The Friday Highland Farmers’ Market, Puff’s BBQ, and Shadowlands Farm will be open on the courthouse lawn.  Also in Monterey, the Bolar Ruritan Club will be serving Brunswick Stew, and the Highland County Girl Scouts will be selling baked potatoes and chili.  Fall-themed menus at local restaurants are sure to please.  Whether you visit traditional staples like High’s Restaurant and Hull’s Hideaway Restaurant & Tavern or newer establishments like Claire’s Cakes & Café or The Curly Maple, your tastebuds will thank you!  Plus, Big Fish Cider, Co. will be open with their award-winning craft ciders in Monterey.

Many adventures await with a visit to Highland County, Virginia.  The full schedule, details, and addresses of all the festival happenings can be found at www.highlandcounty.org/hands-harvest-festival.  Maps with daily schedules will be available at the Highland County Courthouse Lawn in Monterey, the Highland County Visitor Center at 27 W. Main Street in Monterey, and local stores throughout the county during the event.