Purcellville Music and Arts Festival draws large crowd

More than 1,500 people gathered to enjoy the Purcellville Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 29 at the Bush Tabernacle and Fireman’s Field complex.  From noon to 7 p.m., festival-goers had the opportunity to enjoy 19 live performances on four different stages, view nearly 50 works of art from local artists, browse vendor displays, wine and dine on local food and drink, and participate in a variety of activities.  

Performers included 38Dawgz, Downe Lands, The Talton Brothers Band, The Shamrockers, the Rowdy Ace Band, SpeakEasy, the Rick Reaves Jazz Band, Woodgrove High School’s Something Rotten Players, Loudoun Valley High School’s Comedy Cult, Bryan Baxter, the Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers, Willie White, Misneach Irish Dance Academy, and the Celtic Rhythm School of Dance. Nearly 30 local artists were featured in the Art Hall located inside the Bush Tabernacle where there were a variety of art activities for families.

Festival-goers were able to browse more than 40 vendor displays throughout the grounds. Other popular activities included face-painting, air-brush tattoos, t-shirt decorating, chalk art, and a pottery-making demonstration. Kids also had a chance to win prizes playing carnival games and completing a festival-wide scavenger hunt.

After the final performance of the festival featuring the Rick Reaves Jazz Band, Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member Brian Morgan took the opportunity to recognize Rick Reaves who is retiring this year after a nearly 50-year, award-winning career as a band director.

For the past 24 years, Rick has been the band director at Loudoun Valley High School. As a teacher, he has inspired thousands of students, and has had a tremendous impact in our community. This year also marks his 40 th  serving with Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company Number 2.

Thank you to the sponsors of the 2023 Purcellville Music and Arts Festival: Carrington Homes (Title Sponsor); Amazing Outdoors and Elysium Axe Bar (Main Stage Sponsors), Caseco, DiRenzo Family Dentistry, Fox Pest Control, Guidepost Montessori, Jill Greene – State Farm, Kaizen MMA, Karl and Mary Jane Williams, Longhouse Architects, Loudoun Valley Roofing, Merit Restorations, Purcellville Business Association, Sengpiehl Insurance Group – Allstate Insurance, and Valley Energy.

Thank you for the in-kind support from the Bush Tabernacle, MotoMember, and OHM Productions.  Many thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with the event, including those from the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Purcellville Arts Council, and Town Council. 

The Purcellville Music and Arts Festival is a free event jointly hosted by the Town of Purcellville, the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Purcellville Arts Council.  See photos from the event on the festival’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/PVilleMusicArts/.