In the summer of 1968, a couple with 3 young children reclaimed the 1797 Clayton Hall from a jungle of weeds and vine and invited their neighbor, Clyde Beck, to display his art in the old Clayton Hall bank barn. After sharing a fun weekend sipping mulled cider with friends and neighbors, enjoying the glories of autumn in the village at the foot of the Blueridge, the Johnsons and Becks proposed an annual fair and so it began. Bluemonters all pitched in to do their part to launch the first fair in 1970.

At that first fair, you would have been treated to a small art show upstairs in the E.E. Lake Store; a few dozen traditional crafters demonstrating and selling their crafts at the Bluemont School; dried flowers hanging from the rafters in Clayton Hall; and two of our now timeless slide shows — one about the 1864 Snickersvillle skirmish and one about when the trains came to Bluemont. You might have tapped your toe as you listened to a local bluegrass band or stood in a long line for a home-cooked turkey dinner served at the Whitehall Farm ballroom. You would have smelled the apple butter being stirred in a big copper kettle, tasted the hot cider at the E.E. Lake Store, or treated yourself to country ham sandwiches or delicious ham soup being sold by the Methodist Church. Children had great fun at the children's fair set up next to the Snickersville General Store and marveled at the first rendition of the Washington and Old Dominion model train exhibit.

During that first fair and for many years later, folks also stopped at the E.E. Lake Store to purchase homemade pickles, jams, and pies before the trip home. Today, the E.E. Lake Store offers a wonderful selection of country-style baked goods, as well as a variety of items featuring the annual Bluemont Fair logos to help you remember your day in the country.

Other fun activities that have come and gone over the years include watching civil and revolutionary war reenactments, seeing the thresher and baler demonstration, participating in horseshoe pitching competitions, and enjoying the opening day parade. We loved hearing children's cries of excitement as they rode ponies or nestled in the hay on the wagon for a ride across a mountain pasture filled with yellow flowers.

As some activities faded away, others like the llama jamboree and quilt show have blossomed and taken their place. In 1979, we had our first annual 10K race and continue to draw large numbers of runners every year. No one seems to remember exactly when the beekeepers or mountain men started coming to demonstrate at the fair, it feels to us as though they've always been here. In 1993, we created the pickle and pie contest to allow locals a way to show off their culinary expertise and creativeness. Local author book signings, wine tasting, and the rock climbing wall are among our newest attractions. Today you will find more old-fashioned craftsmen, musicians, good food, juried artisans, demonstrations, hands on activities, and contests than ever before; and classics like the Children's Fair continue to be refreshed and updated to delight the children.

Take a look around the web site. We think you will find there's something here for everyone. Bring the kids and come on out in September and join the Bluemont community for a weekend of fun, food and entertainment. The friends and neighbors are still getting together and we'd love to have you help us continue this wonderful country tradition!