Meet the People Behind the Festival
The Team Bringing the Virginia Highlands Festival to Life
Behind every performance, workshop, exhibit, and community event is a passionate group of organizers, volunteers, creatives, and leaders dedicated to celebrating Appalachian culture and creating meaningful experiences in Abingdon each year.
Powered by Passion & Community
The Virginia Highlands Festival is guided by a team that believes deeply in the power of arts, culture, history, and regional storytelling. From year-round planning to Festival week coordination, this collaborative effort helps bring hundreds of events and experiences to life.
Our Mission
To celebrate and preserve the arts, culture, history, and natural beauty of the Virginia Highlands region through experiences that educate, inspire, and connect the community.
Our Vision
To continue growing as a premier Appalachian cultural festival while honoring the traditions, people, and creative spirit that define Southwest Virginia.
Meet the Festival Team
Our Festival team includes board members, organizers, program coordinators, volunteers, and community leaders who work together to preserve and celebrate the spirit of Southwest Virginia.
Deirdre Cole, Executive Producer. Read more about the Virginia Highlands Executive Director in this article, courtesy of the Bristol Herald Courier.
VHF Executive Committee
Shana Carrico, President
Ben Jennings, First Vice President
Susan Mole, Secretary
John Boczar, Treasurer
Deirdre Cole, Executive Producer
VHF Executive Chairs
- Antiques & Vintage Show: Cynthia Herrell
- Arts & Crafts: Gene Pecina
- Culinary Arts: Susan Mole
- Fundraising & Development: Darin Cralle
- Hospitality: JIll Minor
- Highlander Magazine: Nancy Harte
- Juried Fine Art: Joseph Champagne/Ben Dowdy
- Local History: Ben Jennings/Walter Jenny
- Logistics: Claude Worrell
- Marketing: Zac Gauvin
- Music & Performing Arts: John McGlocklin/Mary Munsey
- Outdoors: Merry Jennings
- Plein Air Abingdon: Kevin Burrill/Bonnie Persinger
- Writers & Readers Day: Tammy Robinson Smith/Jo Stone
- Youth: Heavan Harris/Abbey Johnson
Our Leading Sponsors
We’re grateful for the partners who help make the festival possible.
Additional Sponsors & Community Partners
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Join the Tradition
Be Part of the Virginia Highlands Festival
Whether you attend, volunteer, sponsor, or support the Festival, you help preserve and celebrate Appalachian culture for future generations.