There are several Things To Do In Ferrum, Virginia. The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is one of the many events held here. There is also the Washington Iron Furnace, Waid Recreational Park, and Antioch Community Park. If you’re interested in the culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you should check out this area’s culture.
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival in Ferrum is a celebration of traditional crafts, foods, music, and storytelling from southwestern Virginia. The event takes place on the Ferrum College campus and is open rain or shine. Admission is $10 for adults and free for kids. The festival is produced by the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, the state center for Blue Ridge Folklore. The festival has won awards from the Virginia Folklife Program and was named one of the top 10 fall festivals of 2022 by Blue Ridge Country. Additionally, it placed as a top three finalist in Virginia Living’s Best of Southwest Virginia Festival awards.
The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival features three stages for music. The festival will showcase country music, old-style bluegrass, and gospel. It will also feature string bands, traditional crafts, and country foods. You can also watch old-style bluegrass picking demonstrations and enjoy kid-friendly folk games.
Washington Iron Furnace
The Washington Iron Furnace is a historic site in Bedford County, Virginia. The first blast occurred on July 1, 1797. The ironworks were built in 1779 by Jeremiah Early. Later, the company was purchased by James Callaway. By 1820, three brothers bought the industry. Peter Saunders Jr. became the ironmaster. By 1836, the furnace employed 100 people. However, a flash flood in 1851 destroyed the furnace’s interior, and the furnace was closed during the Civil War.
Today, the site of the Iron Furnace is located near Cumberland Gap. A short hike up a ridge takes you to this historic site. Once you reach the site, you can view the iron furnace, where the first iron-making was made. Today, the site features interpretive signs and is open to the public.
To experience the history of the furnace, you can take a guided tour of the area. You’ll see how the iron was made and the steps involved in making it. The first step is to place raw materials in the furnace’s charging room. Once they’re in the furnace, the raw materials are poured into the hole to begin the process.
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend a day, a visit to the Washington Iron Furnace is a great option. Not only does it have a unique history, but the location is close to Route 26. It’s also a great place for a picnic or a lunch break.
The Washington Iron Furnace is one of the oldest iron furnaces in the United States. It produced cannons and shot for George Washington’s army during the American Revolution. However, the profitability of the process declined after the Civil War, and the proliferation of steel mills in the area led to the closure of the Washington Iron Furnace in 1883.
Waid Recreational Park
The Waid Recreational Park is one of the most popular parks in the area and is located on Waid Park Road. Its amenities include two playgrounds, barbecue grills, and walking trails. The park also has two baseball fields. Other nearby parks include the Franklin County Recreational Park, Gilly’s Park, and Wind Gap Community Park.
Located near Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Waid Recreational Park is a 220-acre facility that offers activities for the whole family. Its hiking trails traverse across hills, through rivers, and through the quiet countryside of Franklin County. Guests can also participate in a variety of sports, such as mountain biking and tubing.
Antioch Community Park
Antioch Community Park is a fantastic place to play sports. This community park offers volleyball and basketball courts and has a full-size gym. The gym is divided into two halves and can accommodate up to 500 people. It also has thirty neighborhood park facilities, many of which are rentable.
For families with children, this is the perfect place to take them for a day out. There are two playgrounds, covered picnic shelters and barbecue grills to enjoy. Other amenities include walking trails and baseball fields. Other nearby parks include the Franklin County Recreational Park and Lynch Park. There are also several golf courses in the area.
