The Town of Fincastle held the annual Fincastle Festival presented by Historic Fincastle Inc. (HFI) last weekend. Rainy conditions didn’t stop festival-goers from coming out, walking through the town, enjoying music, vendors, programs, and the history centered around Fincastle and Botetourt County.
Guests enjoyed “History Talks” sessions that featured locals talking about growing up in Botetourt and sharing some history about the town. There was also a “Quilts of Valor” ceremony held in the old Fincastle Baptist Church where Chuck Geiger and Kip Burton were presented with quilts provided by the Roanoke Chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Both men were pilots during the Vietnam War.
Photos by Matt de Simone
Attendees also had the opportunity to vote on their favorite quilts during HFI’s annual Quilt Show. An assortment of quilts crafted by local quilters were draped along the pews of old Fincastle Baptist displayed for festivalgoers’ enjoyment. Ribbons were awarded for first, second, and third places. The results of the show were unavailable at press time.
Additionally, the Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture welcomed Phil and Peg Coffey as they demonstrated how to weave in the museum’s Parlor Gallery. Visitors had the chance to hear about the art of weaving and some of the history behind the craft as it was in historic Fincastle.
Historic Fincastle, Inc., participates in the development and success of programs to preserve and conserve the spirit of Fincastle, its historic streets and buildings, and its natural setting in a vibrant local economy. For more information about HFI, please visit hisfin.org.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
