The lectures, music, drama and children's activities were popular until the Great Depression aided in its demise. But in 1985, the Chautauqua Festival was revived in Wytheville and for 14 years has been a growing source of both entertainment and education. For nine days in late June at locations around this scenic southwest Virginia community, you can sample food, participate in a hot air balloon rally, watch a parade, hear concerts, go to the circus, test your taste buds in the pepper eating contest, take in the art exhibits or listen to the winners read from their works in the annual writing contest. Most events are free. It's free, but bring along some money for the covered-wagon rides.
Admission is free.
A little music will liven up any festival or event. Piedmont Family Fair Va. Rt. There's plenty to see and do for the whole family, including puppet shows, miniature horses, hay rides, jugglers, concerts, antiques, a Civil War encampment, sheep dogs, vintage cars and llamas. 984-9822 New citizens from the Charlottesville area are naturalized each Fourth of July on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. A fife and drum corps provides music at this moving event, attended usually by nearly 1,000 people.