Bluegrass and old-time country music will take center stage in downtown Farmville for the first Farmville Music Daze Festival, set for June 16-18.

According to an event press release, the three-day event features regional bands playing at numerous venues, including Crute Stage, Uptown Coffee Café, the Farmville Community Marketplace, Macado’s and Buffalo Creek Guitar Co.   

“Farmville Music Daze capitalizes on the surge of interest in locally produced products and services with none better known than Virginia’s signature music,” said event co-organizer Magi Van Eps, tourism coordinator for Prince Edward County.

“Several organizations in the area currently sponsor live music events, though bluegrass and country have not been the featured genre. We decided to focus on what gives Virginia’s music its distinctive flavor — bluegrass and old time country.”

With sponsorship from WVHL Kickin’ Country, WFLO AM & FM  and WSVS Real Country radio stations, along with Virginia State Parks, Red Door 104 Gallery and Studio and The Farmville Herald, “Farmville Music Daze will bring to life the sights and sounds of Virginia’s heartland.”

According to the release, the event is being produced by The Heart of Your Adventure, a cooperative tourism effort among the Town of Farmville, Prince Edward County Tourism, the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce and Farmville Downtown Partnership. 

Most evening events are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

“Thursday leads off the weekend with WVHL sponsoring High Grass Band at Crute Stage on the corner of North Main and Fourth streets, as well as Open Mic Night at Uptown Coffee Café, located at 236 N. Main St. Music will be alive on the streets as street performers play solo, duo and more throughout the weekend.”

“Open Mic Night is a Thursday night tradition at Uptown Coffee Café,” said Farmville Downtown Partnership Program Manager John Burton. “Every week some of the best local talent is on display and Farmville Music Daze is a great opportunity to come experience it.”

Friday evening’s live music will spotlight Dixie Road Bluegrass Band at Uptown Coffee Café.  One of the area’s recent entries into the music scene, Dixie Road Bluegrass Band, has quickly become one of south central Virginia’s most popular groups, the release stated.

“The McKenzies will headline live music at Macado’s, located on the corner of East Third and South streets in (downtown) Farmville … Opening their set on Friday evening at 7 p.m., the Lynchburg-based husband-and-wife duo features Woody on guitar, tenor banjo and concertina, with fiddle being his favorite. Marcia is an accomplished vocalist and self-taught musician on mandolin, guitar and clawhammer banjo. She rounds out her music with rhythm piano, bodhran, concertina, ukelele and various whistles. In addition, Marcia teaches and calls traditional dances.”

On Friday evening, the Farm Use String Band will take over the Farmville Train Station with their self-described high energy style of traditional, folk and dance music.

“Representing hundreds of years of Virginia’s music history, the Farm Use String Band will provide two sets of foot stompin’, good time music for two hours beginning at 7 p.m.

On Father’s Day Saturday, Gary Hickman and Buffalo Creek Guitar Co. are throwing open the studio doors for dads, kids and everybody else to explore guitars and the music they create. The two-hour guitar workshop at the studio, located at 401 E. Third St., is for budding through experienced guitarists as well as those who would like to become one.”

At 12:30 p.m., the Farmville Community Marketplace will be the site of the Saturday Jam Session, according to the release.

“Enjoy the fruits of Farmville area producers for the Farmville Farmer’s Market in the morning and stick around for the Jam Session with local artists trying out new music, playing some longtime favorites and perfecting their signature sounds. Wander over to the Red Caboose at High Bridge Plaza on North Main Street where the Farm Use String Band will be playing from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday before First Go Round presents live music at 7 p.m. at Uptown Coffee Café to close out the weekend.”

“These are some of the highlights for our first Farmville Music Daze,” said Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joy Stump. “The response from the community has been exciting. We’re adding new groups and events everyday and invite everyone to be a part of the fun.”

For more information about Farmville Music Daze, contact the Virginia’s Heartland Visitor Center at (434) 392-1482, or visit www.theheartofyouradventure.com.