Highland County, “Virginia’s Switzerland,” invites visitors to celebrate a spectacular show of autumn colors in this small, rural community in the mountains of Virginia’s Western Highlands. The annual Hands and Harvest Festival will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-13. Visitors can enjoy activities including an Arts & Crafts Show, Fall Farmers’ Market, a used book sale and the Highland S.P.C.A.’s annual sweater sale in Monterey. The Little Switzerland Cloggers will hold a street-performance on Sunday afternoon on North Water Street. New to the event will be a display of antique tractors and pumpkin carving/decorating for children. Local shops will also extend their shopping hours through Sunday. Pork barbecue, ham sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers will be available on the Courthouse lawn. Enjoy touring the area and local farms that will feature apple butter and cider making, hay rides, music, corn maze and “pick your own” pumpkins and gourds. On Saturday, Oct. 11, an old-fashioned lawn party to benefit the Highland Senior Center will take place at Fair Lawn Farm from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Word of Faith Church will hold a BBQ Chicken Benefit Dinner. For additional information contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce at 540-468-2550 or visit the Chamber’s website at www.highlandcounty.org.
