For more than 40 years, Festival in the Park has been synonymous with the second weekend in May. The annual three-day festival, sponsored by URW Community Federal Credit Union, will kick off this year on Friday, May 13 and is packed full of vendors, entertainment and activities.
Throughout the weekend, visitors to historic Ballou Park on West Main Street, can browse more than 65 arts and craft vendors, take a taste from 17 food and snack vendors or listen in to free music while their children train to be a pirate, brave a huge waterslide or enjoy a ride with Fun-Time Amusements.
The full lineup, a list of vendors and an interactive map can be found on the all new www.DanvilleFestivalinthePark.com.
Throughout the Weekend
• New this year! Slide the park on a 200-foot waterslide
• Browse over 67 arts and craft booths offering everything from oil paintings and handmade lawn decorations to jewelry and clothing.
• Ride one of many children’s rides in the ride area. The rides do have a cost.
• Tickle your taste buds with mini donuts by the tub, fried Oreos, fruit kabobs or jumbo turkey legs.
Full Schedule
Friday
• 4 p.m. – Gates Open
• 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Wristband Night ($18)
• 4:30 p.m. – HeartChase Race on Ballou Park Softball Field. Register at HeartChaseDanville.org or call 540-309-1302
• 6 p.m. - Spazmatics on the Main Stage
• 9 p.m. - Park Closes
Saturday
• 10 a.m. - Gates Open
• 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Community Agency Fair sponsored by Averett University’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness.
• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Artisans Expo in Ballou Recreation Center
• 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Car Show at Ballou Shopping Center
• 11 a.m. - Pirates ARRRR Us: Pirate Training and Treasure Hunt
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Craft Beer Tasting in Ballou Recreation Center
• 1 p.m. - Pirates ARRRR Us: Pirate Training and Treasure Hunt
• 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. – Color Me Danville Packet Pickup at the Main Stage ID Check
• 1:30 p.m. - Troupers on the Main Stage
• 3 p.m. - Josephus III and the Poetry Project
• 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. - DJ on the Main Stage
• 5:30 p.m. – Color Me Danville. Register at PlayDanvilleVA.com or call 434-799-5150.
• 6 PM - Pirates ARRRR Us: Pirate Training and Treasure Hunt
• 6:30 p.m. - Jamie Kent on the Main Stage
• 8:15 p.m. - Drew Baldridge on the Main Stage
• 8 p.m. - Vendors Close for the Day
• 10 p.m. - Park Closes
Sunday
• 1 p.m. - Gates Open
• 2 p.m. - Wine & Design Painting Class. Register at DanvilleFestivalinthePark.com. Deadline to register is Tuesday, May 10 at noon.
• 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Little Mount Zion Male Chorus on the Main Stage
• 2:30 p.m. - Pirates ARRRR Us: Pirate Training and Treasure Hunt
• 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Vicky Wilson and the Divine Host on the Main Stage
• 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - George Perkins and Envision on the Main Stage
• 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Spencer Taylor and the Highway QC's on the Main Stage
• 6 p.m. - Park Closes
Festival in the Park is planned and staffed by a nonprofit board and assisted by Danville Parks and Recreation. This year’s sponsors include URW Community Federal Credit Union, Budweiser, Norhurst Professional Services, Curves, Big Sky Rents and Events, Burrell Bonding, Comfort Inn, Chandler Concrete Company, Centra Medical Group, Danville Dental Associates, W&W Luxury Limousine Service.
Barkhouser Ford Lincoln; Blackwell Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Kia; Danville Toyota-Scion; FCS, Inc.; Fire Safe Safety Service; Lawrence Distributing; Ruben's Too; Orkin Pest Control; Piedmont Security Insurance Agency; Virginia Bank and Trust and Trophy & Sign Center also support the event.