
In Person Craft Fair is back!!!!
We are excited to announce that the 52nd annual YMCA Craft Fair will take place LIVE and IN PERSON this year!! The event is scheduled for November 12-14, 2021 and will be located inside a fabulous new venue- The Christiansburg Recreation Center!
And what's better than our awesome Craft Fair? How about adding our annual Book Fair? Combine the two to make one great big fantastic event!
Book Fair! The annual Y Book Fair will be part of the annual Craft Fair!
Craft & Book Fair Hours:
Friday, November 12 from 12:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday, November 13 from 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, November 14 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center, 1600 N Franklin St, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Annual Book Fair!
Among the many volumes of books that will be available in our annual (except for COVID_19) Book Fair there will be a collection of books of local origin, authors and interest. We'll have literally thousands of books for you to peruse at the very best prices around so get ready!!
All booths will be socially distanced, wearing face coverings or masks are recommended.
Please note: if COVID-19 restrictions are back in place we will update as to how we will proceed with the event.
Entertainment Schedule
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Sapphire Ballroom Dance Studio- Friday, Nov 2 at 3pm
Our studio is the place to find a professional staff offering a variety of programs to a vibrant dance community. We teach many different styles (Latin, Ballroom, Swing, Country & more) to the beginner as well as the advanced dancer. Check out all that we offer: group classes, workshops, private lessons and social dances.
The Chilcote Family- Friday, Nov 12 at 5pm
The Chilcote Family has been involved in community and school music in the New River Valley for over a decade. Annie and Glen are both music teachers in Montgomery County Public Schools. Eli is a fourth grader who has been studying the cello for 5 years, currently with Ben Wyatt. Annie plays the bassoon and Glen is a percussionist, though you can find them playing a wide variety of instruments at any time. We will be playing instrumental solos, duos, and trios.
Sean Stroud- Friday, Nov 12 at 6pm
Sean Stroud is a local indie folk and blues musician. Growing up on classic rock, Stroud blends the styles of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the Grateful Dead and Mark Knopfler with modern artistic styles such as those of the Lumineers and John Mayer. A published landscape photographer, Stroud has a passion for nature that he brings to life through his songs. Stroud is originally from Virginia Beach, bringing the laid-back beach style to his music and the mountains of the Blue Ridge.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Hindi Story Time with Manju and Aphi- Saturday, Nov 13 at 10:45am
Spanish Story Time with Andrea Briceno Mosquera- at 11am
Joelle Shenk- Saturday, Nov 13 at 11:30am
Joelle is ecstatic to return with Story Time with Joelle! One of her favorite things to do in the whole wide world is read stories…out loud! This is an interactive time, and all ages are welcome as she brings books of silliness and endearment to life.
Dance Tech- Saturday, Nov 13 at 12pm
Dance.tech Performing Arts Studio is in its 21st season as the largest dance studio in the New River Valley. Our Tutus & Tiaras dance classes are designed to offer a gentle introduction to dance with a focus on imagination and creative movement. Jewels & Adult classes cover a breadth of styles and techniques, offering a fun, challenging activity for students to try something new. Our Pre-professional Classes and Performing Arts Company inspire self-confidence, discipline, and respect for the arts, giving dancers the tools they need to become responsible, determined, and creative adults.
Sapphire Ballroom Dance Studio- Saturday, Nov 13 at 1pm
Our studio is the place to find a professional staff offering a variety of programs to a vibrant dance community. We teach many different styles (Latin, Ballroom, Swing, Country & more) to the beginner as well as the advanced dancer. Check out all that we offer: group classes, workshops, private lessons and social dances.
Radia Lu- Saturday, Nov 13 at 2pm AND Sunday, Nov 14 at 1pm
Radia Lu is an American teenage singer who sings adult contemporary music, including both pop and indie songs. She is passionate about sharing her performance talents with our communities to celebrate life, happiness, strength, and resilience. Radia Lu’s singing usually incorporates her Chinese and Asian culture heritage. She has performed numerous times to celebrate Lunar New Years and Mid-autumn Festivals. She lives in Southwest Virginia with her parents, grandparents, and her beloved cockapoo dog. At this year’s YMCA Craft Fair, she will be performing a collection of her favorite relaxing songs, including some classic '70s and '80s music.
Russian Story Time with Christina Voskanova- Saturday Nov 13 at 3:15pm
BHS Singers- Saturday, Nov 13 at 4pm
Little Leapers- Saturday, Nov 13 at 5pm
Little Leapers & LEAP Performing Arts Academy is a safe and inviting atmosphere for all students to express themselves through the artistry and techniques of dance and the performing arts. Little Leapers faculty and staff are dedicated teachers who are committed to dance education excellence. Our varied dance programs and curriculum allows for students to become well rounded, educated dancers at any level. Each class incorporates structured class curriculum fostering creativity and individuality in a fun learning environment. Our classes offer students the opportunity to achieve coordination, poise, grace, self-confidence, and discipline of the mind and body. Little Leapers is known for not only building strong dancers, but strong character and people!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Radia Lu- Saturday, Nov 13 at 2pm AND Sunday, Nov 14 at 1pm
Radia Lu is an American teenage singer who sings adult contemporary music, including both pop and indie songs. She is passionate about sharing her performance talents with our communities to celebrate life, happiness, strength, and resilience. Radia Lu’s singing usually incorporates her Chinese and Asian culture heritage. She has performed numerous times to celebrate Lunar New Years and Mid-autumn Festivals. She lives in Southwest Virginia with her parents, grandparents, and her beloved cockapoo dog. At this year’s YMCA Craft Fair, she will be performing a collection of her favorite relaxing songs, including some classic '70s and '80s music.
Marina Trejo- Sunday, Nov 14 at 1:30pm
Join Marina for a fun filled Bachata lesson! Bachata is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic which is now danced all over the world. It is connected with bachata music. Marina Trejo is a dreamer. She is also a mother of two, a fitness instructor, and a small business owner. She is generous and gracious, eager to explain her culture and to shine on whatever stage she is standing. Marina owns and operates Dream Dance XV in Roanoke .
Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge- Sunday, Nov 14 at 2pm
Simple gift of providing music to the masses
The hammered dulcimer is a percussion-stringed instrument which consists of strings typically stretched over a trapezoidal resonant sound board. In 1979, Virginia Tech professor Charles Bostian discovered the musical instrument’s unique sound and fell in love with it.
He invited a guitar-playing friend to join him, and they formed a musical group called "Simple Gifts" - taking that Shaker tune as their theme song. In 1996, the band's name changed to "Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge" to distinguish it from another group who also performed under the same name.
The current musicians have been together since 2016 and will bring the “special” style of music to the Christiansburg Farmers Market this Thursday at 4 p.m.
The band members include Bostian, who is now retired from the electric engineering department, along with Jack Webster (also retired Tech professor), Marya Katz (retired elementary school music teacher), and Ann Marie Conner (veterinarian).
American Roots- Sunday, Nov 14 at 3pm
Fred and Jon Benfield took the name “American Roots” because it describes the music they have enjoyed performing together in the 5-county area over the last 25 or so years. Their musical influences are many and varied as are their shows which could be characterized as Americana Music: “Carter Family to Gershwin”. A typical performance may include traditional Appalachian ballads, country/piedmont blues, delta blues, early country, tin-pan alley toe-tappers, western swing, jazz, hot fiddle tunes (on guitar), and “folkgrass” (folk tunes played at bluegrass tempo).