4/23: Blacksburg Fork & Cork

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID cancellations, Blacksburg Fork & Cork is returning on Saturday, April 23rd from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., with VIP early access at Noon. The event goes on rain or shine and will be held in a new location at Historic Smithfield, adjacent to the Virginia Tech campus. This beloved regional festival is returning for its 12th year and, as before, will feature award-winning Virginia wines, popular food trucks and delicious fare, live music, and a variety of unique merchandise from Blacksburg, the New River and Roanoke Valleys, and beyond.

“We are so excited for the return of Blacksburg Fork & Cork! This festival has a dedicated following, and Historic Smithfield offers a beautiful new environment for festival goers. We are thrilled to be able to feature Virginia wines, regional food vendors, and local specialty products. We are hopeful that it will be a gorgeous spring day for attendees to enjoy live music, great food, delicious wine, and the company of friends,” says Ann Cassell, president of The Blacksburg Partnership, the organization hosting the event.

Local folk singer/songwriter Kat Mills will kick off the festival entertainment at Noon, followed by Nashville artist and Season 16 American Idol contestant, Carly Moffa, who is the festival headliner. Both performers will be featured on the festival’s main stage, sponsored by the Moss Arts Center.

Tickets are on sale now and are available for purchase online at www.blacksburgforkandcork.com. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Regular admission tickets can be purchased onsite day of festival. VIP tickets are pre-sale only.

 VIP (Ages 21+): $75 pre-sale only; Limited Quantity– Allows ticket holder one-hour early access to the festival grounds beginning at Noon including all benefits of a Regular Tasting Ticket, as well as exclusive access to the VIP Area with specialty tastings not available to regular ticket holders, select VIP amenities, and light snacks.

 Non-Drinking VIP: $25 pre-sale only Regular Tasting Ticket (Ages 21+): $35 pre-sale, $40 day of at the gate– Allows ticket holder
access to festival grounds, wine samplings, food trucks, festival vendors, and live music. Regular tasting ticket holders may purchase glasses or bottles of wine.

 Non-Drinking Admission Only Ticket: $15 pre-sale, $15 day of at the gate  Children 12 and younger are FREE with accompanying adult (18+).

Photo ID is required for age verification of all participating adult attendees. Festivalgoers must have a wine tasting ticket to sample, as well as to purchase wine by the glass or bottle.

In addition, more than 110 volunteers are needed for a variety of festival tasks. All volunteers receive a Blacksburg Fork & Cork volunteer t-shirt, complimentary access to the festival before or after their shift, and (if 21+ years old) a souvenir wine glass for sampling. Volunteers are still needed! To become a volunteer or to learn more, please visit: www.blacksburgforkandcork.com/volunteer.

Join us on Saturday, April 23, and be sure to follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for exciting updates. For complete details, visit www.blacksburgforkandcork.com, email info@blacksburgforkandcork.com, or call 540-443-2008.

All proceeds from this event support The Blacksburg Partnership in its mission to improve the quality of life in Blacksburg. The Blacksburg Partnership is a non-profit, independent organization focused on economic development and community improvement with the goal of making Blacksburg a more vibrant place to live, work, learn and play!

Partnership projects include the revitalization of retail districts, NRV Passenger Rail, Blacksburg Young Professionals, and community arts endeavors such as Gobble de Art (the Hokie Birds you see all over town). In addition, The Partnership is known for two signature events: Blacksburg Fork & Cork and Blacksburg Brew Do. Two new events will be added to the calendar this year as well: “Croquet Soirée”
on June 24-25, a traditional croquet tournament delivered in an unconventional (and fun) way; and “Runway 5K,” a 5K footrace on the runway of the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport later this year (date TBD).