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Mountain Pathways and Green Valley Park Host Mountain Valleyfest

Story by David Brewer

Between the incredible music lineup, the canoe and kayak trips, the fire trucks, the children’s activities and the raffle, it’s going to be hard for folks to decide just what to do at the inaugural Mountain Valleyfest. And that’s a good thing.

Taking place at Green Valley Community Park in Boone on Saturday, May 19, Mountain Valleyfest is a joint fundraising effort between the park and Mountain Pathways School. The festival takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“Part of the Montessori philosophy is to get involved in the community,” said Laila Patrick, one of the festival’s organizers. “It’s going to be a really great festival.”

Music will waft over the festival grounds throughout the day as an all-star gathering of local acts lend their talents to Mountain Valleyfest. Scheduled acts include Melissa Reaves, Amantha Mill, the Crookneck Squashers, The Worthless Son-in-Laws, The Forget-Me-Nots, The Wolfe Brothers and The Dollar Brothers.

Children’s activities for the day will range from bingo and multiple inflatables to the Wahoo’s-led canoe and kayak trips. The Meat Camp Volunteer Fire Department will be on hand displaying their fire trucks for both the young and young-at-heart to admire.

Plenty of food and drink will be available for those looking to enjoy a bite to eat during the festivities. Arts and crafts lovers are also in luck as several area crafters will have work available for purchase.

Green Valley citizens initially established Green Valley Community Park in 2000 to provide recreational and outdoor educational opportunities for the children of the community. The park is located on 12 acres on Big Hill Road off Highway 194, nestled alongside the New River. The facility is home to walking and hiking trails, a canoe ramp, a picnic shelter and an athletic field with future plans for a playground.

“It has been really nice working with [organizers from Green Valley Community Park],” said Patrick. “They’ve brought wonderful stuff to the table and it’s enabled us to get to know other groups in the community.”

Mountain Pathways School, a Montessori school, was founded in 1987 by a group of parents and educators who wanted to provide an interdisciplinary education that met the needs of the whole child. They focused on developing an educational atmosphere that would foster self-reliant, self-disciplined children who would grow to adulthood with a lifelong love of learning and the ability and desire to positively contribute to society.

“[The teachers at Mountain Pathways] are great,” said Patrick. “They’re really dedicated to their cause.”

For more info on Green Valley Community Park, click to www.greenvalleypark.org. For more info on Mountain Pathways School, click to www.mountainpathways.org.

Great Prizes up for Grabs in Mountain Valleyfest Raffle

In addition to the fun and entertainment at Mountain Valleyfest, Mountain Pathways School and Green Valley Park are giving away a pile of great prizes during the festival’s raffle. Topping the prize list at a value of $375 is a Boston Rocker, courtesy of Boone Industries. Other coveted prizes include a ski package for two to Appalachian Ski Mountain, a hand-woven jacket from Leslie Wright and a one-hour carriage ride from Chadi Farms. Ticket holders will also have a chance to win fine works of pottery, prints and much more.

Tickets are on sale for $1. Ticket holders do not have to be present to win.

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday, May 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Green Valley Park
Cost: FREE!