24th Annual CFS Old-Time Music Jam Virginia Weekend: July 27-29

It's July and you're invited to escape from Charlotte's heat and humidity and spend a weekend sharing community and traditional music in the green mountains of Virginia. Tom and Barbara Phlegar invite everyone reading this to join them for three days, July 27-29, on the Phlegar Family Farm near Pearisburg, Virginia. For twenty-two summers they've hosted a relaxed, family-friendly, gathering of folks who share a love of traditional acoustic music. Some are novice players; some are life-long pickers.

Others are simply listeners. Most play old-time, bluegrass, or gospel tunes. Some are friends, relatives, and neighbors of the Phlegars. Others are strangers from several states away. All are welcomed.

This is no fiddler's convention -- no contests or competition. Just clusters of jammers scattered all about the farmhouse yard -- creating little pockets of music everywhere. Musicians start picking Friday night and continue playing until the last folks leave on Sunday. Those present Saturday evening take a break to enjoy a covered dish supper with barbecued pork as the centerpiece. After supper, the music resumes and the clogging commences!

You are welcome to camp in the rough on the farm. Or you can choose to stay in one of the many hotels within a 15-to-30 minute drive from the farm.

The Phlegars charge no admission, but do ask for donations to help with expenses for barbecue, paper products, and Porta-Jon rentals.

The 2011 CFS Old-Time Music Jam Weekend is July 27-29th. Call Tom or Barbara at 704-535-2154 to let them know you're attending and for any questions. Tom says to come, even if you've not called to RSVP -- just be sure to bring a dish to share at Saturday supper.

Do plan to take chairs and instruments. The weekend is a family event, so please leave distilled spirits at home and limit the malted beverages. Travel time from central Charlotte is about three hours.

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

To get there, plug this address into your favorite Map or GPS program:   788 Dry Branch Road Pembroke, VA

or... Use these directions from Charlotte or points in the Carolinas:

• Take I-77 North to I-81 (in Virginia); about 134 miles from Charlotte.
• I-81 North to Exit 98 (Route 100); about 25 miles.
• Route 100 North to Pearisburg, Virginia; about 20 miles. Go to first stop light. Turn right on Route 460 East. (Note: motels are one-half mile farther North on Route 100, past stoplight; Holiday Motor Lodge, 540-921-1551, and Plaza Motel, 540-921-2591.)
• Route 460 East will become four lanes at edge of town. Go past Wal-Mart on left and cemetery on right; about 3 miles.
• Bear right continuing on 460 East over a bridge which crosses the New River.
• After bridge, go up the hill. Turn left on State Route 635. You will see a sign that reads "White Rock Recreation Area" about 1.5 miles.
• At the bottom of a long hill and before starting back up another hill, turn right on State Route 626 (dirt), which is now called Dry Branch Road; about 1 mile.
• After traveling on this dirt road through heavy woods, you will open up into cleared fields. Partial remains of an old barn will be on the right. The gate and driveway to the house and gathering place are beside the barn. Look for a sign.

Alternate Route in Case of Heavy Traffic

Saturday traffic can be very heavy, resulting in long delays due to travelers returning north from Myrtle Beach. Congestion usually occurs at the intersection of I-81 and I-77, about 20 miles north of Hillsville, and will back up five to eight miles, causing delays of an hour or more. (Note: it's a good idea to pick up a state road map, available at the Virginia Welcome Center on I-77.) Follow the directions below to avoid delays.

• On I-77 North in Virginia, take Exit 14. Go East on Route 58 to Hillsville. Go straight through town past stoplight.
• About one-fourth mile past the stoplight, bear left on Route 221. Route 58 continues straight; do not follow it.
• Follow Route 221 for approximately 2 miles.
• Turn left on Route 100. (Only left turn possible, as Route 100 dead-ends on Route 221.) Follow for about 20 miles to I-81.
• Take I-81 North to Exit 98 at Dublin, which connects to Route 100 North.
• Then follow rural direction listed above to the farm

The Phlegar Farm is set in the beautiful Virginia mountains, with easy access to the New River. You may want to extend your weekend and enjoy some recreation, while you're there. Float trips (tubing, canoeing, fishing, etc.) on the New River are available through Tangent Outfitters in nearby Pembroke, Virginia (phone 540-626-4567). Located on the premises is an excellent café with deli sandwiches and a full eat-in or take-out menu. This is a full service, one-stop location for everything outdoors, including clothing, equipment, fishing supplies, etc., as well as convenience items and self-service gasoline.