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.