Virginia’s Oldest Juried Crafts Fair Returns For Its 80th Year

Since 1943, the Waterford Foundation and the historic village of Waterford have welcomed visitors to experience one of the country’s most unique fall crafts and arts fairs and tour some of the historic homes in the charming village. The Waterford Fair takes place on October 4-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with an early bird ticket available for entry on Friday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. This historic village provides an opportunity to step back into history and is the perfect setting for a fall outing.

The weekend features 79 of the finest American artisans, many from Loudoun County and the Mid-Atlantic (many nationally known), that will demonstrate their crafts and sell their beautiful, handmade pieces. In addition, there will be lively performances of traditional music and dance; historical interpreters and Virginia-specific talks; and a fine arts exhibit. A tour of the village will offer guests a look into restored historic homes and buildings with more than eleven buildings and gardens on the tour (different places open daily) and will include a walk through Civil War and Quaker cemeteries. On Friday, a special reenactment of a day in an 1880’s classroom will take place in Waterford’s one-room schoolhouse. Check the website for specific artisans, homes and gardens on tour, the daily entertainment schedule and other activities (www.waterfordfairva.org).

New this year is an exciting collaboration, and new tradition, with neighbors and friends John and Bonnie Branding of the nationally-recognized estate brewery Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery. For the first time ever the fair is offering attendees a beer created especially for the fair, the “80th Anniversary Waterford Fair Beer”.

The fair’s entertainment lineup this year includes The Danny Knicely Trio, The Plate Scrapers, Fiddlin' Dave Van Deventer and Morgan Morrison, and the popular duo of Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small, from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Their strong harmonies captivate audiences as the two move effortlessly between fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitars. They have won many fiddle awards including first place with The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee at the 85th Annual Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention. They have been featured in the 2022 IBMA Songwriter Showcase and won first prize in the 29th Annual MerleFest: Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. The duo has also been featured on the PBS television show Song of the Mountains. More information on Ashlee & Andrew can be found here: watkinsandsmall.com. All performances are included in the fair ticket.