June 21, 2008 from Noon - Midnight
2008 marks the inaugural year for the Downtown Merchants' new Summer Solstice Fest, featuring a real sand beach created with 20 tons of white sand -- right in Downtown Blacksburg! From Noon until Midnight, there’ll be loads of fun for people of all ages!
Download a map of activity locations.
Download our brochure for complete information.
- Hula demos; shag dancing lessons; beach music; and Blacksburg’s own award-winning steel pan orchestra, the PanJammers
- Oyster-slurping contest, sponsored by Awful Arthur’s
- An old-fashioned flea circus, with three performances through the day
- Sand Olympics like tug-o-war; limbo and sumo wrestling at Cabo Fish Taco’s giant sand beach
- A cooking contest sponsored by Gillies Restaurant, with a $1,000 purse
- A Downtown Sundown 5K foot race. Here's the route map.
- A Sustainable Parade, starting with dogs, followed by kids on decorated bicycles, and finishing with electric and hybrid cars
- Darts, ring tosses, a dunking booth, and other "Midway" attractions to create a family-friendly carnival atmosphere
And much much more!
Many of the planned events have an altruistic component built in. Our Downtown Sundown footrace will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; the cooking contest will benefit the winner's church or favorite charity; and local non-profits are invited to operate concessions, in order to raise money for their own charitable purposes. In this way, Blacksburg's new festival not only celebrates the Summer Solstice but spreads the warmth of community association!
Want to participate?
Find the application that best meets your needs below.
If you and your dog would like to walk in the 2 pm parade,complete the Online Dog Parade registration form. Or, download our form and return with payment.
If you want to make a thousand dollars for your church or favorite charity by entering The Clash of the Church Ladies contest,complete the Online Cooking Contest registration form. Or, download our form and return with payment.
Read more about the Clash of the Church Ladies Cooking Contest
If you want to enter the Awful Arthur’s Oyster Eating Contest, complete the Oyster Eating registration form.
If you are a non-profit organization interested in raising funds for your cause by operating a concession at the festival,complete the Non-Profit application.
If you want to run in the Downtown Sundown 5k race, complete the Race Registration form. Here's the route map.
Need more information? Contact the Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg.