Fiddles & Fifths / TaterFest

In this episode, host Janet Michael speaks with Jenny McDonald about the upcoming Fiddles & Fifths festival. Now in its third year, the event has grown significantly, starting from a small gathering behind the Bank of Clarke to a large street party on the Old Town Walking Mall in downtown Winchester. Jenny discusses the various attractions, including local bands, food trucks, a beer garden, and a distillery area, all aimed at celebrating local culture. Jenny explains how the event has drawn attendees from numerous states, who invest in the local economy through hotel stays, dining, and shopping. The festival not only supports existing businesses but also has the potential to attract new ones to Winchester. In the second segment, host Janet Michael is joined by Olivia Hilton, Mount Jackson's town manager, to discuss the upcoming Tater Fest. Olivia shares the extensive planning and community involvement that has gone into Tater Fest, highlighting the various activities and events lined up for the day. These include a one mile 'Couch Potato' race, a food truck rally featuring local vendors, a potato chip and beer pairing, and several contests such as Granny's Potato Salad Contest and Randy's Potato Launcher competition. Attendees can also look forward to the Tater Tot Zone for kids, a tractor show, a petting zoo, live music, and various booths offering arts and crafts. One of the key points Olivia emphasizes is the community-centric nature of Tater Fest, with many local organizations and volunteers contributing to make it a memorable event. She notes that admission to the festival is free, with only a few activities requiring a small fee, making it an accessible and affordable day out for families.