Welcome to the Festival

Ashe County welcomes you to the 22nd annual Christmas in July Festival on Saturday, July 5 from 9 a.m. to

8 p.m. in downtown West Jefferson. Whether visiting from near or far, you will find a warm welcome in the beautiful mountains of Northwestern North Carolina and plenty of excitement and things to do.

The festival is a celebration of the heritage of the mountains through music, crafts, homemade and homegrown items, and Christmas trees. The Ashe County Christmas Tree Association will be showcasing their industry with a look at what makes this area so very special. Christmas tree growers will offer a look inside their world and welcome you back for Choose and Cut Season later this year.

The Christmas tree information and demonstration booth will be located on North Second Avenue close to the Ashe County Farmers Market, another unique feature of the area. Vendors at the farmers market will offer visitors an opportunity to see and buy products grown and made right here at home.

The festival weekend kicks off on Friday, July 4 with music, dancing and food. A special opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at the main stage with West Jefferson Mayor Dale Hudler welcoming everyone to the town. The American Legion will present a color guard accompanied by a local choral singer performing "The Star Spangled Banner." A visiting Civil War re-enactment group, the 1st Virginia Cavalry, will offer a 21-gun salute.

Music on the main stage Friday night will begin with the popular Buck Haggard Band playing classic country music until 9 p.m. This will be followed by the Grayson Highland Band with old-time music for a street dance where everyone is invited to join in the Virginia Reel and square dancing. Refresh yourselves with food and beverage from the festival vendors who will be set up for the Friday evening activities.

Fireworks for the Fourth of July can be seen Friday evening beginning around 9 p.m. at Ashe County Park on Old Highway 16 on the outskirts of the neighboring town of Jefferson.

Christmas in July Festival officially opens on Saturday, July 5 at 9 a.m. with music, arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, re-enactors, food and lots of fun. Come one, come all, and find something to treasure in this mountain paradise.

Schedule

The civil war re-enactment encampment will be located at the West Jefferson Park (half a block from the festival's west entrance on Main Street) and will be open on Friday afternoon through Sunday at noon.
Entertainment Schedule:
Friday Night, July 4
Main Stage
7-9 p.m. - Buck Haggard Band (classic country music)
9:15 p.m. until Closing - Grayson Highland Band (oldtime music - with Virginia reel and square dancing)

Main Stage, Saturday, July 5
9 a.m. Surefire Bluegrass Band
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Colgate Country Showdown
Noon Ashe County High School PANS & CANS
1 p.m. Wayne Henderson & Friends
2 p.m. Amantha Mill Band
3 p.m. Southern Accent
4 p.m. Big Country Bluegrass
5 p.m. Rock Bottom Bluegrass
6 p.m.-7 p.m. Blue Country

Dance and Puppet Stages Saturday, July 5
9 a.m. - Pageant Queens
9:30 a.m. - Dancin' Debbies
11 a.m. - Jason's Dream - Elkland Art Center
Noon - April's School of Dance
1 p.m. - Pageant Queens
1:30 p.m. - Dancin' Debbies
3 p.m. - Jason's Dream - Elkland Art Center
4 p.m. - Fleet Feet Cloggers
5:30 p.m. - Lisa Osborne's Queens for a Cause

Children's Activities
What would a festival be without magic and mayhem? Balloons, puppets, hands-on arts and crafts and inflatable play spaces…this is a kid's world and Christmas in July is the place to be.
There will be lots of fun, interesting and exciting opportunities for the younger crowd at this year's festival. Street performers will roam the festival area entertaining children and adults alike. And there is a special location at the south end of Second Avenue (the back street) for children's activities. Most will be located in the parking lot for AF Bank behind the food vendor area and next to the dance stage.
Entertainment for the children this year includes:

Friday, July 4
6-10 p.m.: Off the Wall fun inflatable activities with bounce unit, slide, climbing wall, bungee jump and obstacle course.
Saturday, July 5
12-6 p.m.: Dale Brook, the Magikal Minstrel of Music and Mayhem, roving the streets singing, playing his harp and looking very Christmasy.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Jef, roving fun with mime, interactive theater, juggling and more.
11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Magic Christopher with balloon sculptures and magic.
12-8 p.m.: Memories of Mayberry with antics by "Barney" and "Gomer" and a look at the Mayberry Patrol Car.
11 a.m. and 3 p.m.: Elkland Art Center with Jason's Dream Puppet Show.
12-2 p.m.: Elkland Art Center with hands-on workshop for children on recycling.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Off the Wall fun inflatable activities with bounce unit, slide, climbing wall, bungee jump and obstacle course.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Creation Station with arts and crafts activities including painting, clay, stenciling, stamping, button making and more.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Face painting.

Steel Drum Band
Ashe County High School Steel Drum Band "Cans and Pans" formed six years ago as a very unique class offering. These talented musicians have performed locally and regionally to delighted audiences, and will showcase their sound on Saturday, July 5 during the Christmas in July Festival.
The 2008 Cans and Pans ensemble consists of 27 students offering music with a blend of Caribbean, Latin, Rock 'n Roll, and traditional mountain music. There's a little something for everyone, and you will greatly enjoy their performance.
This highly motivated group of students recently performed in Washington, D.C, entertaining military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. They provided some musical therapy for the troops.
"This was an exciting opportunity to say 'thank you' to some brave Americans," said band director Scott Turnmyre. "It is a way in which we can serve others through what we do daily in our classroom. If we can bring just one smile to the face of someone who is going through what is probably the toughest trial they have ever faced, then we have accomplished our mission. Music does a lot to lift the spirit. It will be our distinct honor to serve those who have so bravely served us."
The talented students have also entertained for many programs and ceremonies in Ashe County. Their upbeat sound and energy and colorful shirts will bring a smile to your day and put a bounce in your step. You can't help it! This music just makes you feel good! Don't miss their performance at the festival.

Non-profit Festival Vendors
Some of Ashe County's and the area's many charitable non-profit organizations and churches will be featured at the 2008 Christmas in July Festival in downtown West Jefferson. These vendors will be located on North Second Street (also known as the back street) across from the Ashe County Farmers Market.
Organizations setting up for the festival include:
Appalachian Foundation for Learning, Ashe County Public Library/Friends of the Library, Ashe County Arts Council, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, Ashe County Coalition for the Homeless, Ashe County Democratic Party, Ashe County Free Medical Clinic, Ashe County Humane Society, Ashe County Republican Party, Ashe County Pregnancy Care Center, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Lansing Area Ladies Auxiliary, Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church, North Carolina Mountain Federation, New Beginnings of Ashe County, New Life Mobility Assistance Dogs, Jeffersons Rotary Club, The John Birch Society, West Jefferson Community Partnership, Ashe County Habitat for Humanity, High Country Health Care Hospice, Ashe Outreach Ministries and VFW.

4-H Livestock Show
Visitors to this year's Christmas in July Festival in West Jefferson are invited to wander out of town for a bit during the event to see the annual 4-H Livestock Show at the Ag Expo site off Highway 163. Ashe County Friends of Agriculture committee members have worked many long hours planning and fundraising to ensure participants will have a successful experience.
The 4-H Livestock Show will take place Saturday, July 5 beginning at 10 a.m. Weigh-in for the animals starts at 9 a.m.
The show will feature meat goats, sheep, beef and dairy cattle. Goats will feature showmanship, market kids and breeding does. Sheep features showmanship, replacement ewe lambs, ewes, market lambs and wood breeds. Beef cattle features showmanship, steers, heifers and cows. Dairy cattle features showmanship and dairy.
The show is open to all youth, and exhibitors under 18 years old as of Jan. 1, 2008 are eligible to participate in the showmanship categories. Adults may show in the type classes but will be separate from the youth.
For more information, contact Agriculture Extension Agent Charles Young at 846-5850.

Amantha Mill to Perform
The Amantha Mill band will perform at Christmas in July on Saturday, July 5 on the main stage at 2 p.m. This group started in Boone several years ago and has been playing regularly at regional events since the 2003 New River Festival.
Amantha Mill is named for a small community near Cove Creek (Sugar Grove) whose mill washed away in the 1940 flood. Even though the mill is gone, the band recalls it while keeping the tradition of mountain music alive.
The four members of the Amantha Mill are Rebecca "Becca" Eggers-Gryder on bass and vocals (and she writes a lot of the songs), Billy Helms on banjo and guitar, Randy Pasley on resonator guitar, and John Cockman on fiddle. Depending on members' commitments, the lineup might also include John's brother Ben.
Amantha Mill's sound is definitely mountain, whether gospel or bluegrass or ballads; the playing is always outstanding, and the vocal harmonies are unmatched.

Colgate Country Showdown
Festival goers will hear some great music from some talented young singers when 11 finalists battle for the 4th local Colgate Country Showdown to be held Saturday, July 5 at the 2008 Christmas in July Festival in downtown West Jefferson.
The singing competition will be held on the main stage at the festival from 10 a.m. to noon and broadcast on WKSK AM 580 "The Farm." Judges for the event are Tony Shelton, Jeff Brown, Lenny Sheets and Andrea Spears.
Five of the finalists are from Ashe County and include 14-year-old Hayley Johnson from Crumpler, 15-year-old Nicolette Gilbert from West Jefferson, 19-year-old Brittany Brown from Creston, 20-year-old Michelle Rhodes from Lansing, and 21-year-old Katie Rousseau Staley from Lansing.
The remaining six finalists are: Brandi Leigh Love from Rocky Mount, Kayla Rivenbark from Clayton, Kristen Braun from Weston, FL, Justin Williams from Natural Bridge, VA, Amanda Heidt from Ft. Myers, FL, and Keith Rivenbark and his daughter Kayla (a gospel duo called The Rivenbarks).
Thanks to everyone who sent in entries for this year's show and all the finalists and non-finalists are wished the best of luck. Remember too, that if you don't make the showdown this year you are welcome to compete again next year. Winners can go on to further competition.

1st Virginia Cavalry Co. D Schedule
1st Virginia Cavalry Co D
Friday, July 4
6 p.m. Salute to the town opening the festival
7 p.m. Small skirmish in town
7:30 p.m. Re-enactors in camp. Public welcome to tour and meet re-enactors
7:45 p.m. Come and enlist men and women needed
Saturday, July 5
7 a.m. Breakfast
8 a.m. Camp opens to public, come talk with the re-enactors and authors
9 a.m. Infantry tactics demonstration (manual arms and army movement)
10 a.m. Confederate Flags of the Civil War
11 a.m. African American Soldiers during the civil war
Noon: Fire arms display and load and fire contest
1 p.m. N.C. involvement in the Civil War (talk by Capt. Monte Baker and story by Pappy Hawthorne)
3 p.m. The Battle of Boone re-enacted
5:30 p.m. Supper
9 p.m. Camp closes to public
Sunday, July 6
10 a.m. Church service (re-enactors and town folk welcome)
11 a.m. Camp closes and packs up
On-Going Events All Day on Saturday
·Trooper Jerry Brown - Ashe County Civil War Participants (come and find info about your ancestors)
·Camp tours (see how the soldiers lived)
·Meet Author Gary Walker
·Weapons Demo
·Kids 'Fall In and March,' provided by the Junior Reserve
For any information contact Monte Baker Capt. 1st Virginia Cavalry Co D at 706-313-5876 or email to: mbaker004@centurytel.net.
Other regiments that are planning to participate include: 50th Virginia Infantry; 28th N.C Infantry; 64th Virginia Dismounted Cavalry; Livi's Light Artillery; 61st Tenn Infantry; 19th Tenn Infantry.

Food Vendors
Visitors to the 2008 Christmas in July Festival in West Jefferson will find a delightful smorgasbord of taste among the food vendors. This area can be found on South Second Avenue (also known as the back street) from the intersection with Main Street to Ashe Street. Picnic tables will be set up in the area along with hand washing stations.
Food vendors will offer a wide variety of festival items from ice cream, funnel cakes and kettle corn to hamburgers, pizza, French, Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic treats.
Vendors include: Billy's Concessions, Calloways, Carolina Kettle Korn, Cuppy's Coffee and More, Family Grill, Fire Grill, Greek and Mediterranean, International Grill, Lulu's Delights, Over the Rainbow Kettle Corn, Paris Festival, Pizza Hut, Poppin' John's Handmade Ice Cream, Ristick Concessions, Rocky River Sandwich Co., Smitty's Homemade Ice Cream, Steak Boys, Sweeties, Tiki Grill, Tropical Island Concessions, Blue Moose Coffee Lodge, Reddings Country Kitchen, Thai Family Grill and Suzie's Funnel Cakes.

Surefire to Perform
Christmas in July Festival 2008 welcomes Surefire bluegrass band to the main stage on Saturday, July 5 at 9 a.m. Officially formed in December 2007, Surefire consists of Tom Isaacs, John Bryan and Robby Norris.
Tom is the senior member at age 19. He is an accomplished instrumentalist and singer who has been performing since he was 12. His talent has enabled him to share the stage with the great Ralph Stanley among others. He has taken part on multiple recordings.
John, age 17, made his performing debut at age 15. His primary instrument is the banjo. He possesses a natural high lead and tenor voice that will make bluegrass fans take notice.
At age 14, Robby is the youngest member of the group. His first public performance was when he was only 7. A multi-instrumentalist, Robby has recorded a CD in which he played all the instruments-at age 13. His rich baritone vocals add to Surefires' tight vocal harmony. He has had the privilege of playing alongside of Grand Ole Opry legend Bobby Osborne.
Their debut recording "The Old, Old House," released on Christmas Eve 2007, showcases their considerable talent and versatililty. It also contains a song written by George Jones and Hal Bynum.
The band's name was chosen as one of Robby's favorite songs to play and from the Osborne Brothers repertoire of hits. They were featured in the April/May edition of High Country Magazine.

Mayberry Memories
Memories of Mayberry will be featured at the 2008 Christmas in July Festival in downtown West Jefferson. Characters from the good ol' days of Mayberry will be wandering the Back Street on Saturday, July 5.
Bring back memories of Mayberry with impressions of Gomer Pyle and Barney Fife. Gomer and Barney will have a great time 'meeting and greeting' with the crowd, bringing a smile to everyone! They'll sign autographs, clown around and bring back some Mayberry Memories to all!
Scott Epperson is a dead ringer for your favorite bumbling Mayberry lawman, Barney Fife. Scott, a theatre actor, voice talent, entertainer and comedian has been entertaining for years now, and folks have a great time interacting with his Barney character at festivals and fairs worldwide.
Bruce Newman 'Gomer' sounds and acts Just like the funny guy from Wally's Service Station. Bruce is a great musician, comedian and first-class showman, has extensive experience with planning event appearances; and when you team him with 'Barney... look out!
See other characters from Mayberry and the famous black and white patrol car at the festival.

Festival Sponsors
Sponsors for the Christmas in July Festival include: AF Bank, Ashe Civic Center, Ashe County Arts Council, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, Dr Pepper Bottling Co., the Jefferson Post, Mountain Music Jamboree, Skyline Telephone, and The Town of West Jefferson.