It started as a small idea, an offshoot of Purcellville’s Heritage Days, simply a fun afternoon of activities for families in Purcellville. Over the years, that afternoon became the Purcellville Music and Arts Festival, seven hours of music on four stages, an art gallery, local food, drink, and art vendors. Each spring The Town of Purcellville hosts the free event of local music outside under 100-year-old oak trees in Dillion’s Woods, part of the Fireman’s Field campus.
The Purcellville Arts Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board organize the event and evolving activities that have included henna painting, custom t-shirts, a dog agility course, tile painting, and instrument making. The Bush Tabernacle is transformed into an art gallery complete with more live music and local artists’ work. The Community Stage is an opportunity reserved for local youth bands and dance acts to share their talents in a performance setting. This year the youth bands will have a showcase night at Dragon Hops Brewery in preparation for the festival.
The center stage area at Dillion’s Woods has a purposefully varied line up, from jazz to rock to folk and blues. Among the musical artists this year is Templeton Thompson, self-proclaimed “hippie chic cowgirl.” In her youth in Virginia and Texas, she discovered her love of horses and they have become her musical muses. She’s now in Nashville with two horses of her own, an English degree, and a love for life to inspire her singing and songwriting. Her songs can be found on country music albums and even in movies. In addition to her own work, she’s a go-to with a clear voice for major labels backup vocals. There’s more music to come in her eighth album and under the oaks in Dillion’s Woods.
For more, see http://purcellvillemusicandartsfestival.com.