Collegiate Times

David Simpkins has been filling the streets of Blacksburg with his Americana style for eight years. On Saturday, people will be rushing to the acoustic stage in the post office parking lot to listen to his music yet again as he plays during the second day of Blacksburg’s annual Steppin’ Out festival

Live entertainment, unique artistry and a fun atmosphere will bring the community together on Aug. 3 and 4. This will mark the 27th birthday of the annual event held in downtown Blacksburg, one of the biggest events on Blacksburg's entire yearlong calendar.

Simpkins has high regards for the Steppin' Out Festival and what it means to the Blacksburg community.

"Anything that gets people out of their houses and out from in front of their computers and TVs is a good thing. Anything that casts a community in a positive light is a good thing. And selfishly, anything that attracts an audience for local and regional music is a good thing," Simpkins said.

"Steppin' Out is an institution - some people only come to Blacksburg once a year and it's specifically to attend Steppin' Out. So that has to be a good thing. When a festival is well run, well attended, and well liked, like Steppin' Out has been for so many years, everybody wins."

Since its humble beginning in 1980, the festival has become a staple of summer for the Blacksburg community.

Leslie Hager-Smith is the director of the Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg, the organization that runs the event.

"The festival began when the town was a lot smaller and sleepier, since then it has grown and gotten to the point where students who attended in 1980 have stayed on and are now store owners. We see a lot of family and school reunions at Steppin' Out," Hager-Smith said.

The Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg continue to run the festival because of the benefits it has on the local community. The revenue generated from the festival goes a long way toward maintaining opportunities for local businesses and projects.

Over the years, the organization has helped to fund the Farmers Market, the brick pavers that beautify downtown, the hand-in-hand playground and the renovation of the Lyric Theatre.

"There has been a huge interest from the community about living lightly and buying locally," Hager-Smith said. "Our purpose has always been to advance downtown and the wider area and we do our best to plough our profits back into the community."

This year, there are some new additions to the usual festivities, including street performers, stilt walkers, a shaded food court and a dunking booth. In addition, Cabo Fish Taco will even be throwing a beach party, complete with a novelty sand beach and live music.

The Lyric Theatre, in association with H.E.R.R - Honoring, Experience, Responses and Reflections - will open its doors to the public. The theatre will feature a photo display of community reflection following the April 16 tragedy.

"The display will be a quiet place of reflection for the community," said Susan Mattingly, executive director of the Lyric.

Younger attendees in the crowd will be able to express their support in a different manner. The Blacksburg Junior Women's Club will be entertaining the kids in the crowd. One of the features will be a community art project, a 2007 banner covered with kids palm prints that will be donated to Tech. Face painting will also be on the program.

For musical entertainment, the festival will feature three stages for live music and entertainment running constantly over the two days. The main stage will be located at Henderson lawn with ample room for listeners to kick back in the sun and take in the sounds.

The main stage will feature music from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Local band Curious Strange will deliver their catchy sound to listeners at 3 p.m. on Friday with their unique mix of rock, funk, blues, jazz, soul and southern rock.

Chad Florstedt, guitar and vocals for Curious Strange, believes the festival fosters community spirit.

"The music scene in Blacksburg seems to have died down a bit lately, it's a great way of letting the public know that there's still good music out there," Florstedt said.

Nick Kalen, bass, adds that the band writes songs about issues important to them and looks forward to the community event.

"Our lyrics are influenced by our personal beliefs, experiences, and meditations. People can expect a high-energy performance of original music at Steppin' out," he said.

"We are looking forward to playing Steppin' Out this year after attending for several years. This type of public entertainment in which people can come together and experience local food, art, and music for free is one of the best things to be done for a community"

For a slightly different mix, the acoustic stage will feature more contemporary, folksy acts.

Located in the post office parking lot, the stage will feature live performances from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. both days of the festival.

Music won't be the only on-stage entertainment available. The community stage located on Jackson Street will showcase regional performers.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, street goers can catch everything from martial arts demonstrations to ballroom dancing acts.

While the sounds of local artists echo from the stages to the streets, community members can take in the atmosphere and do some shopping.

Over 170 craft vendors from all over the country will be offering their distinctive goods. Handcrafted items including jewellery, pottery, textiles, fine art, metal work, stained glass and much more will be available for purchase.

When the singing, dancing and shopping finally make participants hungry, they can take a much need break and relax under the new shaded food court at College Avenue and Draper Road. Festival foods will be available from a range of local restaurants.

Once the food has settled local residents and visitors both have the chance to work it off and finish out the day with the annual Draper Mile Run. Those who don't have any energy left can cheer runners along.

The race starts and ends on Draper Road with the finish line located in the middle of the festival area. The run begins at 6.30 p.m. Friday.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days and offers free transport on all BT transit routes and free metered parking downtown.