Discovering Virginia with Kids

After a Saturday filled with floods, hail, howling winds, and tornadoes, today was a blessed Palm Sunday filled with cornflower blue skies and fluffy clouds.

Although our Saturday plans to attend the Discover Virginia wine festival were thwarted by drenching rain and funnel clouds, this two-day event had a wonderful turn-out on Sunday.

So, after a morning of worship and waving palm fronds in the air at church, we shuttled up to Greene county for the Discover Virginia Food & Wine Festival.

This was our first wine festival in Virginia . . . or anywhere.  A family-friendly event, there were local food vendors, crafts and artisans, musicians, local winery vendors, River Mist Farm alpaca llamas, and a barrel train ride for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Thanks to Saturday storms, there was also a plethora of mud.  We all had to put our shoes in the washing machine when we got home. Next time, we’ll bring rain/mud boots.

There was a constant crowd of kids around the adorable young alpaca llamas whose coats were so thick you could bury your fingers up to your knuckles.  My son squealed with glee when a hungry alpaca gladly ate a tender dandelion leaf from his hands.

Great entertainment!

Every once in awhile, my son would be so moved by the folksy/bluesy Benny Dodd band that he’d spontaneously dance a little jig on the grass.  I saw adults doing the same thing on the grassy and muddy flats.  Who needs a dance floor at a wine festival?

Don’t know if the alpaca llamas or the barrel train were the best highlights for my son, because he loved them both.

I love the little pig tail made with a bell.

This adorable train had elementary school-style chairs and seat belts (for the squirmy little guys), while an engineer on an ATV pulled them around the various vendor booths.  There were just as many adults and kiddos riding Aubrey Treakle’s barrel train–with their wine glasses full and jostling during the ride.

I overheard one barrel train rider exclaim, “Best wine festival ever!”

My friend Amy Eastlack of Suzy Said Charlottesville was there giving temporary tattoos to kids.  Calvin picked out a green heart, but he was so annoyed when it wouldn’t wash off later.

We also ran into my friend Meg Runion of Meg Runion Studios who creates beautiful photography and the most gorgeous handmade frames.  Have you seen these frames? Fabulous eye candy!

If all wine festivals are this fun, we must go again!  I had no idea they were so family friendly and full of activities!  According to my 3 1/2 year-old who did NOT want to leave, “I had a really great day.  It was so much fun to play at the wine festival!”

Have you taken your kids to a wine festival?  What are your favorite wine festivals in your area?

Thanks to Events with Panache and the Discover Virginia for our complimentary VIP passes.