Join us for ARTfactory’s “Open Flow Friday” event Friday, August 15th from 7 to 9:30 PM!

Open Flow Friday applies a creative spin to the “open mic night” concept, additionally encouraging ALL types of creatives to participate, present, and/or perform their craft! Open Flow Friday offers an open mic, and open art demonstration space for local artists to share their art form with an audience, whether you are a poet, author, musician, artist, etc. This is your safe space for creativity, community, and self-expression! This event is free and open to the public.

Interested participants should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early to add their name to the performance sign-up list.

https://virginiaartfactory.org/event/open-flow-friday-5

As part of this month's Heathsville Farmers Market, local members of the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Northern Neck Corvette Club will cruise to Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern for a Car Show. Private individuals are also welcome to display their vehicle. The public is then invited to vote for their favorite car. The winner will receive the special "People's Choice Award."

The Heathsville Farmers Market offers Northern Neck produce, meat and honey, bread and baked goods, gourmet peanuts, locally-made artisan handcrafts, and more. There are new vendors at every market. The Farmers Market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the car show runs until 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, inside the historic Tavern itself, the "Heritage Arts Center" gift shoppe will be open for business. Shoppers will find artists working in their studios, and one-of-a-kind, locally-made artisan wares for sale. The Tavern Cafe´ will be serving light luncheon fare, all homemade by Tavern volunteers. Special on Market Day are warm glazed donuts. For "on-the-go" eating, visit the food concession stand in front of the "Tavern Meeting Building".

A historic landmark since the 1700's, Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern is home to four active artisan guilds, all of which will be on-site that day, demonstrating and selling their wares. Follow the smoke to the Forge to see the Blacksmiths at work. The Woodworkers have both a modern and a colonial era workshop in the "Carriage House." The Quilt Guild has their studio on the first floor of the Tavern, and the Spinners and Weavers gather in their studio upstairs.

But elsewhere in Heathsville, there are other big doings on a "Heathsville Saturday." You'll find interesting shops, attractions, eats and historical sites. Visit Ye Olde Book Shoppe, a used book store run by volunteers of the Northumberland Public Library. Browse the classy thrift shop run by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Check out Kathy's Korner for unique treasures for the home. Take a tour of the Old Northumberland Jail, courtesy of the Northumberland County Historical Society. Pick up your Historic Heathsville Walking Map, and wander past homes and buildings from every century since the 1700's.

All sites are located on Route 360 in Heathsville. Historic Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern, a non-profit run entirely by volunteers, is found at 73 Monument Place, hidden just off Route 360 behind the old Northumberland Courthouse.

Held over Labor Day weekend, this family-friendly festival highlights the fine art and fine crafts of local and regional artists. We welcome everyone for a weekend of art, food, music, and activities for the whole family. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the artwork and chat with the artists who have been juried into this show. Food and beverages are available by a variety of vendors. We have interactive art activities and a free Kid's Tent, with projects to make and take home. Aspiring artists, young and old, are welcome to participate in a variety of hands-on activities.

Held over Labor Day weekend, this family-friendly festival highlights the fine art and fine crafts of local and regional artists. We welcome everyone for a weekend of art, food, music, and activities for the whole family. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the artwork and chat with the artists who have been juried into this show. Food and beverages are available by a variety of vendors. We have interactive art activities and a free Kid's Tent, with projects to make and take home. Aspiring artists, young and old, are welcome to participate in a variety of hands-on activities.