Smithfield Olden Days is presented by Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism.
Nashville recording artist/singer & songwriter Celeste Kellogg will perform at Olden Days.

    Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism is pleased to announce that Genuine Smithfield Olden Days will return June 26 & 27. This popular festival has something for everyone! Wear your hoop skirt, put on your bobby socks and saddle shoes or just come as you are to join us in Smithfield for some old fashioned fun for the entire family! Whether your passion is antique and classic cars, hot rods, arts and crafts, fresh produce and farm products, festival food, great music or racing rafts-Smithfield Olden Days is sure to "float your boat"

 

    The event kicks off on Friday night with a concert by local favorite, Anthony Snape at the Smithfield Times Gazebo at 6:00 p.m. and everyone's favorite - a free concert with music by the Rhondels from 8:00 until 9:30 p.m. The "Hot Rods Cruise-In" Car Show will be held along Main Street that evening as well.

 

    This year the popular Historic Ghost Walk will also be held on Friday night beginning at 8:30. Advance tickets are highly recommended and are available at the Visitor Center (319 Main Street). The Ghost Walk will begin at the Isle of Wight County Museum.


 
    Brand new this year will be a FREE concert by Nashville recording artist/singer and songwriter (and hometown gal) Celeste Kellogg from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Smithfield Times Gazebo. And returning this year is the "Vintage Alley," held along North Mason Street, featuring "re-purposed, recycled unique treasures & antiques!"

 

    The "Kids, Bike & Pet Parade" officially kicks off the festivities at 10:00 a.m. Saturday's activities will also include: antique cars, military vehicles, a dunk tank, crafters, artisans, the Smithfield Farmers Market, pony rides, games, face painting, activities for the kids, as well as lots of great festival food. 

 

    The Isle of Wight County Museum will offer programs throughout the day on The Battle of Smithfield (10:00 a.m.), Women in the Civil War (12:00 noon), and Civil War Balloons (2:00 p.m.).

 

    And of course, everyone's favorite, the popular 25th Annual Pagan River Raft Race returns! Due to tides, we've moved the time for the race to 1:00 p.m.

There are also some changes to the race itself...

 

Raft Race Categories:

Just for the Kiddos Category: (self-explanatory)

Mrs. Congeniality Category: Must be decorated & be awesome, maybe be able to float and run a course)

The Oldies but the Goodies Category: Must be totally home-built and designed for SPEEEEEEDDDD!

 

All racers will only race once and the course is timed.

The rules this year are few and far between:

1. Your raft must be in the right category. If you aren't they will move you to it.

2. In the Oldies but Goodies categories, your hull must be manufactured by YOU. Not a canoe company or a Hobie Cat company, but by you in your own back yard, with your friends, while doing whatever it is you do during build week.

3. The more outrageous, the better. Don't worry; the Coast Guard will be standing by to assist all those that sink! This is truly one of the most entertaining events in Smithfield all year.

 

There are real prizes this year and different awards other than just for the winners! There may even be some dollar bills if you place. Be sure to get your team together, friends, co-workers, enemies or whatever and get down here for this awesome event! Email randy.pack@smithfieldstation.com or call Randy Pack at 757.357.7700 for more info!

 

    Don't miss a single moment of the grills, thrills, spills and chills (don't forget the ghost walk!) of this genuine small-town tradition! High resolution images are available upon request. Thank you for your consideration.

 


Judy Hare Winslow

Director of Tourism

jwinslow@isleofwightus.net

 

Terry Rhinier

Special Events Coordinator

terry.rhinier@isleofwightus.net

 

Lois Tokarz

Marketing & Public Relations Manager

ltokarz@isleofwightus.net

 

Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB

319 Main Street, Smithfield, VA 23430

757.357.5182, 800.365.9339