The 68th Annual Uncle Billy's Day Festival will be held this weekend at English Park in Altavista. The two-day festival started in 1949 to commemorate the founding of the Trade Lot where local residents brought their vegetables and livestock to sell.
The event is named after Uncle Billy Lane, a member of the Lane family, founders of the town of Altavista. Uncle Billy's dedication to the Trade Lot helped grow a little local farmers market into a regional destination. The Trade Lot still operates the first Saturday of each month at the War Memorial Park on 7th Street as a giant flea market.
Each year, the Uncle Billy's Day Festival is held on the first Saturday in June -- and has expanded into a 2-day event. The festival features: Children's carnival and activities, live music, craft show vendors, food trucks, car show, live music and Saturday night fireworks. Festival hours are 4-11 PM on Friday and 9 AM to 11 PM on Saturday.
The Trade Lot will be held at War Memorial Park. All other events take place at English Park, located in downtown Altavista beside the Staunton River. Admission to the event is free. Uncle Billy's Day is the place to be this weekend and the editor's top pick for weekend fun.
Special Carnival Armbands on Saturday Only! $20 per person All-You- Can-Ride :Saturday, June 3 10am-2pm Only! Height/Weight Restrictions May Apply, No Refunds/Rainchecks, Games & Special Attractions Excluded. Armband sales start at 9:30 AM, rides open at 10am, Armband sales stop at 1pm.
