Grayson County’s Crooked Road stops can’t be missed…
Discover the venues, festivals, conventions, and community jams that make Grayson County’s Crooked Roads a must-travel along Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
Download the Crooked Road App to help you plan your trip.
Crooked Road Affiliated Venues in Grayson County
Historic 1908 Courthouse
The Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence, VA is the arts & culture center of Grayson County, VA. The 1908 hosts a weekly Courthouse Jam led by locals and open to all on Wednesday evenings starting at 6:30 PM. Annual old-time events such as the Legends of Grayson Old-Time Celebration and the Ag & Art Adventure highlight the rich musical heritage of the region in a setting full of history and memory. Visitors will find the Grayson County Tourism Department Offices & Gift Shop, the Grayson County Historical Society Headquarters, and the Crossroads Museum.
Historic Fries Theatre
Located in the historic mill town of Fries along the New River, The Historic Fries Theatre is a volunteer-run cultural center and music venue dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional music of the Blue Ridge. The Theatre operates independently as a nonprofit organization focused on the region’s musical heritage.
Every Thursday evening, the theatre hosts its signature event: the Thursday Night Old-Time Jam, led by 2018 NEA National Heritage Fellow Eddie Bond, a renowned fiddler and vocalist who embodies the living tradition of Appalachian music. A native of the area and longtime member of the New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters, Bond brings authenticity, deep knowledge, and welcoming leadership to this weekly gathering.
Blue Ridge Music Center
The Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates the music and musicians of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each spring, summer, and fall, we welcome thousands of visitors to enjoy some of the region’s finest traditional music, including bluegrass, old-time, folk, Americana, country blues, and gospel. Guests are invited to delight in performances, exhibits, jams, and take a walk on our hiking trails. Located near Galax, Virginia, at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Visitor Center and Museum are open May through October.
Crooked Road Affiliated Jams & Events in Grayson County
The Grayson County Fiddlers’ Convention in Elk Creek
Always the last weekend in June, The Grayson County Fiddlers’ Convention takes place at the Elk Creek Fire & Rescue fairgrounds in beautiful Elk Creek Valley. Campers show up at the beginning of the week to stake their claim on a spot at this can’t miss event. The Convention takes place over two days, featuring competitions, shows, impromptu jams, vendors, and a general good time gathering around great old-time music.
Albert Hash Memorial Festival
Albert Hash was a beloved fiddle player and master fiddle maker from Whitetop who memory is celebrated at this annual festival of Old Time and Bluegrass music. Food and craft vendors make this a very pleasant affair that usually includes a display of fiddles Albert made. Don’t count on buying one. His fiddles are tightly held, especially by those who knew this wonderfully gifted and kind man personally. The Whitetop Mountain Band which Albert founded is always on hand keeping the music lively.
