Living in Nelson County: Nelson County 2007 Bicentennial

Nelson County 2007 Bicentennial

Click here to find out about the America's 400th Anniversary

Click here to see the Bicentennial Quilt

To order a Nelson County Historical Society 18 month bicentennial calendar
Locally you can purchase one for $16.00 plus tax at the Visitors Center, 8519 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA
Or order by mail to Nelson County Historical Society, Post Office Box 474, Lovingston VA 22949 - $20 includes postage and handling

2007 Bicentennial Events
January 13- The Wintergreen Nature Foundation and Nelson County Historical Society Winter Lecture Series - Settling In - Nelson County Bicentennial Quilt Unveiled. 7 pm at the Rockfish River Elementary School, 200 Chapel Hollow Road, Afton.   434-325-7473.

January 26 - Thomas Nelson Lecture Series - Tribute to Nelson County Veterans. 7 pm Nelson County Middle-High School Auditorium

January 27- The Wintergreen Nature Foundation and Nelson County Historical Society Winter Lecture Series - Hardy Souls - 7 pm at the Rockfish River Elementary School, 200 Chapel Hollow Road, Afton. Sponsored by the Wintergreen Nature Foundation, Fee 434-325-7473.

February 10- The Wintergreen Nature Foundation and Nelson County Historical Society Winter Lecture Series - Love of the Land - 7 pm at the Rockfish River Elementary School, 200 Chapel Hollow Road, Afton. Sponsored by the Wintergreen Nature Foundation, Fee 434-325-7473.

March 17-18, 24-25 - Spring Open House at Afton Mountain Vineyards. Come and taste our new white wine releases. Enjoy complimentary soup with your tasting. 10-6 p.m. 540-456-8667

March 23 - Earl Hamner, Author's Reception at the Virginia Festival of the Book

March 25 - Earl Hamner book signing at Walton's Mountain B & B and Country Store 11:30 am - 2 pm
Earl Hamner's reception and reading of Generous Women at The Hamner Theater 3 - 5 pm

March 31 - April 1 - Bicentennial Quilt exhibited at Jefferson's Country Quilt Show X, East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Department, Route 250 at Glenmore, Charlottesville, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm

April 7 - Walton's Mountain Museum Spring Festival - Celebrating "company town" life and family-values through history, music and food. 10 am- 4 pm 434-831-2000

April 21-22 - Folk Festival at Pharsalia, a historical home in Nelson County. Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the formation of Nelson County. This special event will showcase the historic home and lands of Pharsalia, built in the early 1800s. The event will showcase costumed hosts to present food, beverage and music along with merchants and transportation of the time. Costumed characters to be portrayed at the event will be Robert Rose, Thomas Nelson, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and others for an enjoyable day in the nineteenth century. Enjoy wine tasting with the Nelson County wineries. Bicentennial Quilt on exhibition. 11 am - 5 pm Fee. 434-361-1055

April 26 - Tour of Virginia bicycle race passes through Nelson County in Montebello.

April 28 - Anniversary Celebration at Wintergreen Winery. Toast the winery's lucky 14th anniversary with live music, wine and gourmet food sampling, wine/gift shop specials and door prizes. Picnic food and scenic riverside picnic area available. 10 am-6 pm Fee. 434-361-2519

May 18 & 20 - A bicentennial play "Nelson's Promise the Legacy of the Blue Ridge: The Yoke of the Plow Revisited" (adapted from the 1957 play, The Yoke of the Plow) at the Nelson County High School - 7 pm Friday and 2 pm Sunday

May 19 - Historical Society Home Tour of the Lovingston area. Bicentennial Quilt on exhibit at the Nelson Center.

May 25-28 - Memorial Day Celebration at Wintergreen Resort

May 26-27 - 28th Fiesta de Primavera at Mountain Cove Winery. The oldest single winery festival in Virginia. Celebrate the release of new wines, with live music, good food and great tours. No pets, please. 11-5 p.m. Fee. 434-263-5392

June 16 - All About Fruit Day at Edible Landscaping. Tours, lectures and guest speakers, all about edible landscaping for your home. Propagation, pest control, pruning, etc. 9:30 am-4:30 pm 434-361-9134

June 16-17 - Batteau Festival

June 23-24 - Nelson County Summer Festival. A family-friendly event, spotlighting superb national and regional music, as well as award-winning wineries, an artisan market, fun for the children, and delicious food. The historic home, Oak Ridge will be open for tours. 11-6 p.m. (gates open at 10:30) Fee.

June 27 - The Nelson County Museum of History and the Central Virginia
Electric Cooperative present a multimedia event celebrating whenthe Rural Electrification Administration (REA) "Cut on the Lights" in Nelson County. Nelson County High School 7:30 - 9:00 pm

July 4- Fourth of July Parade in Lovingston, 11 am.

June 9 - Starry Nights at Veritas Vineyard & Winery. Bring your picnic fare, blankets, chairs, and dancing shoes, join us for an evening of pure merriment. Watch the sun go down and the stars come out. 7-11 p.m. Fee. 540-456-8000

July 9 -29 - Wintergreen Performing Art's 11th Summer Music Festival. Three weeks of orchestra and chamber music concerts celebrating the 400th anniversary of Jamestown and the 200th anniversary of Nelson County. Fee. 434-325-8282

July 14-15 - Bastille Day Celebration at DelFosse Vineyards & Winery. Celebrate at the vineyards with fireworks, music and dancing. Fee. 434-263-6100

August 4 - Blackberry Harvest Festival at Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery. Family festivities including live music, crafts and blackberry picking. The Allen Sisters invite you to come enjoy our hospitality. 9 am-5 pm. Fee. 434-361-1266

August 5 - Mount Shiloh Baptist Church Homecoming, Schuyler

August 17-19 - Pick Your Own Gala Apples at Dickie Brothers Orchard. Come to the mountains and pick your own apples just in time for back to school. 8 am - 5 p.m. 434-277-5516

August 18- Hurricane Camille Exhibit at Oakland Museum

September 15-16 - Pick Your Own Apples at Silver Creek Orchards. Come enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery while picking your own Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Virginia Gold and Mutzu apples. Half bushel bags are provided. Open Saturday 9-4; Sunday 12-5 p.m. 434-277-5824

September 15-16 - Seaman's Orchard Pick Your Own Apples. Pick your own Red & Golden Delicious, Empire and Jonagold apples. Half bushel bags provided. Saturday 9 am - 4 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m. 434-277-5824

September 29-30
Drumheller's Orchard. Corn Maze. Hayrides to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Apple sling shot. Large selection of apples, fresh cider, honey, hams, country music, crafts and food. Music and apple butter making on Saturday only. 9-5 p.m. 434-263-4911

October 6 - Apple Butter Makin' Festival at Flippin-Seaman. Large selection of Virginia grown apples. Also available jams, jellies, baskets, gifts and more. Live music, crafts and other entertainment for old and young. 10 am - 5 p.m. 434-277-5824

October 13-14 - Pick Your Own Apples at Silver Creek Orchards. Come enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery while picking your own Rome, York, Fuji, Granny Smith and Pippin apples. Half bushel bags provided. Saturday 9 am - 4 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m. 434-277-5824

October 15-28 - Pick Your Own Fuji Apples and Pumpkins at Dickie Brothers Orchard. Pick you own pumpkin from our pumpkin patch. Ten varieties of apples to choose from, also apple butter and fresh cider. 8- 5 p.m. 434-277-5516

October 20 - Apple Butter Makin' Festival at Flippin-Seaman. Large selection of Virginia grown apples. Also available jams, jellies, baskets, gifts and more. Live music, crafts and other entertainment for old and young. 10 am - 5 p.m. 434-277-5824

October 20-21 - Apple Harvest & Apple Butter Festival at Drumheller's Orchard. Corn Maze. Hayrides to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Apple sling shot. Large selection of apples, fresh cider, honey, hams, country music, crafts and food. Music and apple butter making on Saturday only. 9 am -5 pm. 434-263-4911

October 20-21 - Mountain Cove Blues Festival at Mountain Cove Vineyards & Winery. Sponsored by the James River Blues Society, this event features great regional blues performers, wine tasting, tours and food. 12 noon - 5 p.m. Fee. 434-263-5392

November 10-11 - Oyster Festival at Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery. Fresh oysters from our friends at Rappahannock River Oysters, live music and Cardinal Point wines. 12-5 p.m. Fee. 540-456-8400

December 2 - Nelson County Christmas Parade. Get ready for the holiday season by bringing your family to the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade in the village of Lovingston. The parade features floats, marching units, vehicles, animals and best of all Santa Claus. There are also civic clubs and street vendors selling food and beverages. The parade travels north through the village and ends at the old packing shed where Santa visits with children of all ages. Contact 434-263-7073 days or 434-277-9149 nights

Proclamation Approved by the Nelson County Board of Supervisors January 9, 2007

WHEREAS, Nelson County was formed by an act of the General Assembly in 1807, shortly after the birth of the Nation; and

WHEREAS, in this year it is appropriate that the citizens of Nelson County celebrate its history, salute the present and embrace the future;

THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Nelson County Board of Supervisors, that the two hundredth anniversary of Nelson County be observed throughout the year of 2007.

Nelson County Bicentennial Committee:
    Jean Payne - West District
    Lisa Wooten - East District
    Helen Driver - Central District
    Jane Raup - South District
    Ruby Swain - North District
    Becky Norris - Historical Society
    Emily Harper - Parks and Recreation
    Maureen Corum - Economic Development and Tourism