Virginia’s Oldest Juried Crafts Fair Returns for its 80th Year

The Waterford Fair includes children’s activities, a historic homes tour, juried fine crafts, original art, entertainment, and more!

WATERFORD, VA — 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, October 4, at 9 a.m. The 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 11 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 1880s 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.

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 and Andrew can be found at watkinsandsmall.com.  All performances are included in the fair ticket.

Other exciting features of the fair include three floors of juried handcrafts and home baked goods by 68 artisans for sale in a restored brick mill; vintage barns full of fine art and dried flower arrangements and wreaths for sale; traditional music and dance; and historical interpreters.

There are lots of children’s activities throughout the weekend that include the chance to earn a Waterford Explorer’s badge upon completion of a village scavenger hunt. Children can also help make a penny rug, a stenciled floor cloth, or try their hand at the potter’s wheel and make a clay pot. There will be a magic show, the chance to play in a jug band, and the opportunity to see a real one-room schoolhouse and learn what school was like in the 1800s.

Food is available throughout the fair including at the Old Mill Shop, which will offer homemade baked goods along with candles, tote bags, ornaments, and more. Throughout each day, there will be samplings of fine and faire food. A farmers market will also provide an array of food products. Talbott’s Tavern will feature the best in Loudoun County wines and craft beers from Wheatland Springs Farm & Brewery — including the 80th Anniversary beer.

The Waterford Fair takes place throughout the historic village of Waterford, which was founded in 1733 by Amos Janney, a Quaker from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Waterford is one of only three villages in the U.S. designated a National Historic Landmark District. Many of the village homes and structures and the surrounding farmland have been preserved thanks to the residents, friends of Waterford, and annual proceeds from the Waterford Fair. The fair provides a once-a-year opportunity to fully experience this community which is brimming with history and character.

Tickets for the Waterford Fair are on sale now at waterfordfairva.org or by calling (540) 882-3018 Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Save up to 35% by purchasing in advance. Tickets at the gate are $25 per adult per day, or $20 for seniors, military, and students, and free for Waterford Foundation members and children 12 and under. Early bird tickets, three-day passes, and group rates are also available. All musical performances are included in the ticket price.

Saturday evening of the fair offers a separately ticketed event: “Waterford on the Rocks,” an intimate cocktail party held in a picturesque Waterford garden at the Braden House. Tickets are $80 per person and are available at waterfordfoundation.org.

Photos by Jennifer Jule Studios.

Posted on: August 8, 2024