Williamsburg celebrates 41st Annual Old Fashioned Trading Days

Sep. 10—WILLIAMSBURG — The 41st Annual Old Fashioned Trading Days took over downtown Williamsburg this past Thursday through Saturday — bringing the community together for a fun-filled weekend of music, arts, crafts, and family-friendly activities.

The event attracted locals and visitors alike, celebrating decades of tradition and showcasing the best of what the region has to offer.

The festivities kicked off on Thursday with live performances across two stages. At Bill Woods Park, the Gospel Singing Stage featured powerful performances from local gospel groups.

The evening began at 5 p.m. with the Levee Green Boys Gospel Singers and continued with Higher Ground Singers, Reed Elliotte, and Adam Crabb at 8:00 PM.

Meanwhile, on Main Street offered an eclectic mix of art and music. Kathy Kelly's Free Art Class got things started, followed by live performances from local bands 8 Daze Sober and Whiskey River, wrapping up a vibrant evening of creativity and talent.

Friday saw a range of activities throughout the day. Courthouse Square was bustling early on with the Garden Show and Canning Contest, drawing participants eager to showcase their best produce and homemade goods.

Over at Bill Woods Park, local schools took center stage, with performances by WC Central 5th Grade, University of the Cumberlands Band, Williamsburg High School Choir, and the Williamsburg High School Band.

As the afternoon turned to evening, the Blue Grass Music Stage came alive with traditional Appalachian sounds.

Straight Creek and Virgil Bowlin opened the evening, followed by performances from Bobby Hamblin & The Lawless, Sunset Canyon Band, and the highly anticipated Tidal Wave, whose lively set kept the crowd on their feet.

The final day of Trading Days was packed with events, kicking off with the popular Car Show at the Whitley County Judicial Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enthusiasts admired a variety of vintage and custom vehicles, while families enjoyed the food, arts and crafts booths, and games for kids scattered throughout downtown.

Corn toss fans had plenty to look forward to, with two tournaments taking place throughout the day. The Sid Strunk Memorial Corn Toss Tournament and the Reclaiming Futures Corn Toss Tournament drew competitive spirits and spectators alike.

Music remained a focal point, with two stages offering a full lineup of performances. At Bill Woods Park, The Parliaments and Jonathan Wilburn performed for the crowd, ending with Jeff Tolbert and Primitive Road.

Over on Main Street, Michael Christopher got the evening going, followed by the Zac Hart Band, before Paint Creek brought the house down with a rousing set to close out the weekend.