Highland County, “Virginia’s Switzerland”, invites visitors to celebrate a spectacular show of autumn colors in this rural community in the mountains of Virginia’s Western Highlands. The annual Hands and Harvest Festival will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 through 12. Visitors can enjoy touring the area and local farms that feature apple butter making, cider tasting, and “pick your own” pumpkins and gourds all while enjoying Highland County, VA’s rich palette of fall colors. Other fall time festival activities include a Fall Farmers’ Market, antique tractor display, pumpkin decorating, a used book sale, and the Highland S.P.C.A.’s annual sweater sale in Monterey. The Courthouse Lawn will feature handmade items as part of the Arts & Crafts Show with Old Time Music on Saturday afternoon beginning at noon. The Little Switzerland Cloggers will also hold a street-performance Saturday afternoon on North Water Street beginning at 1 p.m. The Highland County Human Society will hold a Family Fun Day at the Monterey Firehouse featuring a silent auction & flea market, face painting, games, and a Rabies & Microchip Clinic. Pork barbecue, ham sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers will be available throughout the weekend on Main Street. Word of Faith Church will host a BBQ Chicken dinner from 4:30 - 7 p.m. on Saturday. For additional information contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce at 540-468-2550 or visit the Chamber’s website at www.highlandcounty.org
