Column: Shorelines

Courtesy of the Sedalia Center

The Virginia Highlands Pipe and Drum Band has performed at the Sedalia Center's annual Celtic Festival.

One of our region's cultural institutions is gearing up for its 21st season of providing a variety of fun, family oriented festivals. Located near Big Island, just a short drive on Virginia 122, the Sedalia Center features an array of music, food and entertainment for all ages.

"There is a pretty broad spectrum of offerings and so they appeal to different people," said Jane Gross, the center's director. "Sedalia Country Fair is an event that, I think, has mostly a local [Bedford County] appeal. It's primarily a family event and it's patterned after an old-time country fair."

But, the center also appeals to a wider audience.

"The Sedalia Blues Festival, the Fiber Festival and the Celtic Festival have more focused themes and are a little more unusual," said Gross. "Visitors with those interests are drawn from all around the region, even outside the state."

First-time visitors to the Sedalia Center are in for a real treat, said Gross. Attending one of the center's many festivals or workshops is a great way for folks to get in touch with their own creativity and appreciate the artistry of others.

"From the beginning, our founders' vision was to be able to nurture creativity, and the Sedalia Center was the first in the area to offer a number of activities that are now commonly offered elsewhere," said Gross. "We have a beautiful location with an interesting facility, and people of different backgrounds and experiences come here and see different possibilities."

According to the Sedalia Center's Web site, the building was once home to Counter Ridge Elementary School. It was purchased, in addition to seven acres of land, in 1988, by Bill and Annis McCabe. The building was renovated and reopened in October of the following year. Shortly after that, another couple, "Buzzy" and Martha Anne Coleman, became partners. More land was acquired and the center obtained nonprofit status.

Today, it operates as the Sedalia Center, Inc. with an executive director (Gross), a board of directors and a fleet of volunteers.

"We are fortunate that our founders remain active in our organization and continue to provide leadership and creativity," said Gross.

Over the years, the center also has made improvements to its facility including the addition of an outdoor stage, covered pavilion, additional seating and updated restrooms.

Funding for the center comes from a variety of sources, said Gross. The center relies on the proceeds from its event sponsorships as well as from renting out the facility for outside events and private donations.

But what makes the center special is the people -- both the volunteers who help out and those who come for the entertainment, said Gross.

"We have an incredible group of generous sponsors and hard-working and talented volunteers who make our activities and events possible," she said. "I've been employed here for just over six years now and have met an incredible number of wonderful people."

Following is a list of some of the events that the Sedalia Center is presenting this year:

• Celtic Festival, Saturday, April 24. This event features entertainment by Canadian/Celtic rock fusion band Enter the Haggis, whiskey-tasting seminars and plenty of Celtic crafters.
• Spring Fiber Festival, Saturday, May 15. Participants can trace the journey of fiber from when an animal is sheared to the combing, spinning and dying process.
• "Families can come and enjoy the animals while those who are interested in fiber arts and crafts can appreciate the high-quality fiber-related vendors and workshops," said Gross.
• Barbeque at Sedalia, Saturday, May 22. Now in its fifth year, this cooking competition is cousin to the center's other well-known contest -- the Chili Cook-Off, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30.
• Bluegrass Festival, Thursday, June 24 through Saturday, June 26. Now in its 14th year, participants can enjoy listening to a broad mix of well-known and local bluegrass musicians. "I imagine if you travel down any road in our area knocking on doors, you'll find a pretty good bluegrass picker in about every fifth household," said Gross. "This event is one of the hardest to book entertainment for, because there's so much good talent to choose from right here at home. The event has grown to three days so we can include as many as possible."
• Blues Festival, Saturday, July 10. It features a regional blues competition with the winner going on to Memphis, Tenn., to compete. There's also a blues concert and workshop to showcase this music genre.
• Jazz and Wine Festival, Saturday, Aug. 28. "This event came about because so many people asked for it and it's been very well received in its first two years," said Gross.
• Sedalia Country Fair, Saturday, Sept. 11. Participants can learn about the region's agricultural heritage. Events include a mule-jump competition, home-canned and fresh food competitions, animals on display and demonstrations of old-time farm equipment.

The center also offers Distinguished Artists Workshops that provide continuing-education credit to participants who teach and study art in the Bedford County Public Schools, said Gross.

"To date, we have offered workshops in sculpture, claymation and experimental drawing," said Gross. "The program has been very well received and we hope to be able to offer the same sort of quality art program to the public in the near future."

For more information about the Sedalia Center, visit www.sedaliacenter.org or call (434) 299-5080.