Hungry Mother Festival
Video in Cape Town

They sponsor the annual Hungry Mother Festival in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Parks and Recreation.

The annual Hungry Mother Festival is the longest running festival in Virginia to be held in a State Park. The Hungry Mother Festival is sponsored by the Art League of Marion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of art, theater, and music. Proceeds from the festival fund a variety of cultural activities including art scholarships and a county-wide art show for high school students. Hungry Mother Festival brings together arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, live music, food, and family fun. All set in beautiful Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, Virginia. When The 3-day event is always held the third weekend in July, rain or shine. The Art League was formed to provide exposure for local talent in all areas of arts and crafts. A group of individuals dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of the arts including fine art, fine craft, theater, music and dance. The Art League of Marion sponsors the annual Hungry Mother Festival in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Parks and Recreation. The endorsement and encouragement of cultural activities in our schools are also important to the Art League. The Scholarship Program each year offers scholarships to deserving students who will be pursuing higher education in the arts. Live music from musicians of varying genres as well as animal refuge demonstrations provide daily entertainment to those of all ages. A Weekend of fun for the whole family, as can be seen in our photo galleries of past festivals. Visitors can also go hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating, and fishing at the longest-running festival to be held in a Virginia State Park. A refreshing variety of festival foods will include funnel cakes, salsa, hand-dipped ice cream, dips, coated nuts, chicken-on-a-stick, fried oreos, kettle corn, tacos, baklava, shaved ice, wood-fired pizza, and more! Every year, the Art League of Marion chooses one exhibitor at Hungry Mother Festival to receive the award of Best in Show. Dana’s primitive stitchery and artwork was wonderfully displayed in antique suitcases and vegetable crates. Antique fabric and other antique sewing items drew visitors into her booth. Her handcrafted frames contain prints of her artwork and that of her late mother. Parts of well-loved quilts also find a place in her artwork. To participate, students must have been enrolled in an art class at a Smyth County High School during the 2016-17 school year or have graduated from a Smyth County High School and be currently enrolled in college with a major in art.