logo on a white background with text that reads Blue Ridge Music Center Kids and Family fun day

Kids and Family Fun Day (Blue Ridge Music Center - Milepost 213)

Blue Ridge Parkway

Special Event
  • May 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  • Free

This free event is open to all ages and includes performances, booths, an instrument “petting zoo,” scavenger hunt, art activities, and more.

Youth bands will perform throughout the event.

* 12-12:45 p.m.: Denim & Plaid
Denim & Plaid delivers a hard-driving, high-energy bluegrass experience that blends powerful vocals with masterful instrumental performances. The band formed in 2022 when founding members Hollace Oakes and Berkley Stewart met for the first time during the Crooked Road Youth Music Contest. With just 15 minutes to come up with a name, inspiration struck — Hollace was wearing plaid, Berkley was in jeans, and Berkley’s dad suggested “Denim & Plaid.” The name — and the partnership — stuck.

The band features several award-winning young musicians: Hollace Oakes on fiddle, Berkley Stewart on banjo, Tucker Conner on guitar and lead vocals, Truett Wagner on mandolin and guitar, and Eliott King on bass and guitar.

* 1-1:45 p.m.: Mallie Belle
Mallie Belle from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, began playing music at the age of 4. Starting out as a young fiddler, she took lessons from Deanie Richardson (of Sister Sadie), and has participated in IBMA’s Kids on Bluegrass program. Now 14 years of age, she is becoming an accomplished singer-songwriter.

* 2-2:45 p.m.: Margo MacSweeney & Friends
Margo MacSweeney is a young old time musician who lives in Floyd County, Virginia. Margo enjoys playing fiddle, banjo, and guitar and singing and dancing old time traditional music from Southwest Virginia. She is a part of The Handmade Music School at The Floyd Country Store.

The Bluffs Restaurant will be on site with food for purchase.

More information

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Blue Ridge Music Center at Milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway Music Center Rd, Galax, VA 24333

Latitude and Longitude 36.573197, -80.850001

Schedule

Date:

May 16, 2026

Time:

12:00 PM

Duration:

3 hours

Live music performances during at the event start at Noon, 1 pm and 2pm.

Contact Information

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

Contact Us

Event Type

  • Children’s Program
  • Partner Program
  • Performance
Tags: blue ridge music center, appalachian music, young appalachian musicians, junior appalachian musicians, mountain music, blue ridge parkway, blue ridge parkway foundation, partner events, live music, activities for children, childrens activities