
Longtime wood turner Willie Simmons will be celebrated this September 27 at the Historic Fincastle Festival. Having grown up under the tutelage of his equally talented “Papa” Bill Simmons, his skill was only enhanced over these past years. Willie’s life, however, was ended earlier this year by a driver who slammed into him at a stoplight, thus unexpectedly ending this talented artist’s gifts to the community and beyond.
As you can imagine, Willie had been creating his beautiful wooden designs in advance of another year of planned festivals and markets, locally and around the U.S. Much to festival organizers’ delight, Willie’s son, Hunter, has announced that he and various nieces and nephews will set up Willie’s display tent at the Fincastle Festival to display and sell some of his treasured creations, many of which were created from local wood obtained from Fincastle and its surrounds.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 27 and visit the Historic Fincastle Festival for great artists, crafters, food, and fun – and a chance to own an original Willie Simmons-designed piece of art.
~ Historic Fincastle Inc.