By Matt de Simone
A crisp, foggy autumn breeze later welcomed early October sunshine setting the stage for Buchanan’s 30th Annual Mountain Magic Festival, held Saturday in Buchanan Town Park. This year’s event exceeded expectations, drawing large crowds as soon as the event opened in the morning
With more than 70 vendors on-site, attendees had no shortage of unique crafts and handmade goods to explore.
Food options delighted crowds with returning favorites like H’s BBQ & Snow Cones, BK Festival Eats, and The Grill of Rights, alongside Middle East Feast, 3A Gourmet Coffee, Promised Land Coffee, Smooshed Ice Cream Sandwiches, Star City Sips, and classic carnival fries.
Children and families enjoyed expanded activities this year, including a vendor-operated train ride and inflatable bounce houses provided by Jonathan Calloway. Face painting was offered by Jennifer Rand, whose booth was proudly sponsored by two new Buchanan business owners — Jani Williamson of Best Place Antiques, and Kitty Edwards and Angela Slater of Southern Girls Mercantile.
Community safety services were also on hand — the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office issued free child ID cards, and Botetourt County EMS brought a fire truck for children to explore and distributed public safety information.
Live bluegrass music kept spirits high all day long, with performances by Haymaker Town Express, Collins & Ashcroft, Blue Connection, Wasted Ways, Mill Creek – Mike Lee, and Virginia Carolina. Festival-goers were encouraged to bring chairs and take in the Appalachian sounds between shopping and sampling the many local treats.
The antique and classic vehicle display was once again a hit, showcasing restored trucks, tractors, and vintage cars. Visitors were able to chat with owners and cast votes for their favorite entries.
Shops and restaurants along Main Street stayed open, offering even more local flavor, gifts, and sightseeing. Guests were encouraged to visit popular Buchanan landmarks including the LOVE sign and historic swinging bridge, and to share their festival photos online.
Official Mountain Magic 2025 merchandise — including T-shirts and baseball caps featuring a logo designed by Buchanan artist Ranse Ransone — was available and proved popular with attendees.
Visitors browsed offerings from David O’Dell (crochet, homemade jams, floral arrangements), Deborah Broughman (embroidery, quilted and sewn items), Andrea Curry (gnomes), Elizabeth Francis of Wicks and Wreaths, Jennifer Montgomery (canned farm goods), Kevin Simpson of Simpson Salvage Company, Natural Bridge Ruritan Club, Anderson Windows – Renewal by Anderson, Saje Carter (crystals and wellness programs), Shaun Douglas (crochet and sewn crafts), Bank of Botetourt, Regina Spangler (vintage T-shirts and beaded purses), Mallory Ballard (artisan soaps), Natural Bridge State Park, Crystal and Olivia Eubank of River Chic Jewelry, Laurie Gunn representing the Botetourt Democratic Committee, Tomika Rogers (all-natural body products), Kathy Satterfield (sewn decor), the Buchanan Gauge Dock Committee, Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA, Jason Rinehart (local photography), Angeline Powel (handcrafted jewelry), Buchanan Baptist Church, Nona Tobertson (friendship beads), Ross Noel (herbal extracts and elderberry), Nellie Meadows (3D cups and beaded items), Katie Taylor (natural health products), Alison Rager (bracelets), David Farish (custom pens), KB Mercantile (Amish crafts, baked and canned goods), Laura Skidmore (crafts and crochet), Sharon Flowers (flowers and home décor), Victorian Swartz (salsa and canned goods), Sheila Ferguson (Revlon), The Pie Shop, Peggy Creasy (jewelry and crystals), Solomon’s Mission (art by Ramon and crafts by Nancy), Gayle Fano (home-sewn items), Brenda Hodges (log snowmen, deer, sleighs), Daniel Sink (Mary Kay), Ivy Linton (jewelry), Lisa Winse (bottle wind chimes), Morgan Fitzgerald (vintage clothing), Cindy Tharpe (Pampered Chef), Linda Hickman of L&M Unique Creations, Melissa Hurd (knitted products), Jerry Dalton (handcrafted wooden bowls), William Rorer (free Bibles), Ryle & Co Designs (handmade wooden décor), Karin Templeton (earrings), Nancy Boardwinw (recycled glass art), Irene and Andy Carlin (quilted and cross-stitch items), Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (represented by Cheryl Hines), Jodi Harris (wooden signs), Julie Burnette (oyster shell ornaments), Abbey Stewart (walking sticks), Kristi Satterfield (sewn home décor), Miranda Napier (pumpkin rolls), Matt Estes (BBQ seasoning, decals), Sarah Dudley (candles), Fay Ferguson (seasonal décor) and the Buchanan Town Improvement Society.
Photos by Matt de Simone
Event coordinator Kitty Edwards expressed gratitude for the strong turnout and the many hands that helped make the festival a success.
“We had some wonderful volunteers (in) Vicki and Larry Vines, Richard Mosley, Sarah Anderson, Deanna Newcomb, and Billy Stull,” Edwards said. “The clerks in the town office were great to field calls.”
As the event wrapped up later Saturday afternoon, organizers and guests alike celebrated what has become a cherished local tradition.
