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Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 02, 2026
Contact: Starr Anderson, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 540-460-1540, starr.anderson@dcr.virginia.gov

Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival returns to Natural Tunnel State Park

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival)

DUFFIELD, Va. - On Sunday, Sept. 6, the annual Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival will honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Joseph “Papa Joe” Smiddy. The event is presented by the Cove Ridge Center Foundation, a supporting group of Natural Tunnel State Park. It will be held in the amphitheater at the park in Duffield starting at 5 p.m.

This annual gathering seeks to promote the musical heritage of the area’s Appalachian Mountain culture and honors the tireless work of Papa Joe, who promoted the music of the region for many decades. In addition to being an accomplished old-time banjo player, entertainer and educator, Smiddy was Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

This year’s performers will be Dr. Joe Smiddy & Reedy Creek, Martha Spencer and the Wonderland Band, The Boys from Bristol and the Virginia Boys, the band selected from this year’s Pickin’ in the Park series.

While there is fixed seating under roof, additional seating is available and used on the grass behind the fixed seating, so festivalgoers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

An onsite concessions stand will be available to provide food and refreshments. In addition, food vendors will be at the amphitheater that evening.

Festival admission is free of charge; however, there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. Festivalgoers are welcome to donate to the Cove Ridge Foundation, but no payment will be expected.

For additional information on the event, please go to https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2026-08-12-13-06-33-336678-gpi.

The Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival is an affiliated site on the Crooked Road and sponsored by UVA at Wise, American Electric Power, Tele-Optics, Axe Handle Distilling, Old Virginia Hand Hewn Log Homes and Wise Kiwanis.

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About Virginia State Parks

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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