SATURDAY 5/25: Art & Music on the Farm at Barrier Islands Center

The Barrier Islands Center kicks off the summer with Art & Music on the Farm on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center is located off Route 13 at 7295 Young Street, Machipongo.

This event offers some of the finest art in the mid-Atlantic plus regional specialties including local wine, flowers and plants, and handmade crafts.

Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Barrier Islands Center. It features more than 30 artists who display and sell works of art including painting, photography, jewelry, pottery and more.

Musical entertainment will include five bands playing music ranging from the blues and old–time dance music from the mountains of Galax, to traditional Mexican songs and an all-woman traditional urban style gospel group.

The lineup demonstrates the richness and variety of Virginia’s musical traditions and how central they are to America’s heritage.

There will be a special appearance of Hog Island sheep, a rare breed of sheep that once populated Hog Island. These indigenous sheep were moved off of Virginia’s Barrier Islands and are on the critically endangered list.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show for adults. Guests under 17 are admitted free.

To purchase tickets or for additional information, contact the Barrier Islands Center at (757) 678-5550 or visit barrierislandscenter.com.

Music scholars Jon Lohman, program director of Virginia Folklife Program, and Gregg Kimball from the Library of Virginia will emcee the festival, as well as lead a couple of breakout workshops with the musicians.

Performers include Gaye Todd Adegbalola; Mary Smith and Gregg Kimball; Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes; and the New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters.

The day also includes picnic lunches and delicious treats for purchase, wine from local Chatham Vineyards and garden delights from area garden shops.

The Barrier Islands Center is a nonprofit museum whose mission is to preserve and perpetuate the unique culture and history of Virginia’s Barrier Islands through education and the collection and interpretation of artifacts.

The historic Almshouse Farm serves as a cultural gathering place where the Eastern Shore’s coastal heritage and way of life is celebrated and nurtured.

The center is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-’round.

Art & Music on the Farm is an annual event at the Barrier Islands Center.