Galax, Fries, Pittsboro: fair markets and stormy weather

August 2-4, 2024, Virginia and North Carolina

It’s a sunny early morning at Fancy Gap, and I’m going to the Saturday market in nearby Galax, Virginia, to set up with my jewelry. While it’s my first time at this market, and I didn’t get prior confirmation, I’m able to get a metal stall in the downtown market space. Last week, I was in Franklin for the July gem and mineral show, and it ultimately was a success, but that adventure is its own story. After a two-day recharge, I’m back out on the road for a weekend of two markets.

The Galax farmers and artisan markethttps://ariannastravels.com/2022/05/03/new-river-valley-calm-old-mining-towns-and-a-return-to-writing/ runs from 9am-1 pm Saturdays from March through October. There’s also a Thursday market from 3-7 pm. On this day, about 10 vendors are set up here, including the organizers (see above pic with tents); the weather is comfortable and partly sunny. A mix of locals and tourists come and shop, and we are all feeling optimistic. By noon, a dark cloud has moved directly above downtown, and by 12:30, it’s pouring rain. We pack up in a rush and the market is over just before 1, as rain fills the streets. My jewelry is safe, but my clothes are soaked.

Today is the beginning of the week-long Old Fiddlers’ Convention at Felts Park here in Galax. According to a local, “it always rains for the fiddlers.” (By midweek, with tropical storm Debby passing through, I wonder how wet the convention is getting.)

When this band of today’s storm has passed, I drive a few miles north to the historic river town of Fries.

The river is the ancient New (Kanawha) River, and this town is set along two of its bends at a natural falls on the river. It started with a cotton mill and hydroelectric dam at the dawn of the 1900s, soon connected by the New River train. The town developed around the Washington’s Mill and its employees; population peaked in the 1920s and 1930s at just above 2,000. In 1989, the mill closed, and the New River Trail now occupies the old New River Train line.

I have written about the New River Train and Trail in my New River story in Spring 2022, with a video clip of the traditional song. The river’s industrial history is discussed there, too, particularly around Ivanhoe and metals mining.

Fries’ name is pronounced like “freeze,” if there is any confusion.

Historical images and accounts of Fries and the Mill: https://musicofourmountains.com/fries-and-the-washington-mill/

More current images of Fries are on the town’s website: https://friesva.com/scenes-from-fries-virginia/

https://appalachiantrailhistory.org/items/show/925

“Here’s a truck stop instead of St Peter’s, yeah yeah yeah yeah”

-R.E.M., “Man on the Moon” (from Automatic for the People, 1992)

Over the ridge near Piper’s Gap, the bands of showers wane and the sky clears. Descending into North Carolina near Mount Airy, I pass a truck stop and take the interstate toward Raleigh, in an open space between storms. “Automatic for the People” by R.E.M. plays on my car stereo.

“Man on the Moon” by R.E.M. https://youtu.be/dLxpNiF0YKs?si=UorFd3m0voCq7YXE

“Find the River” from the same album https://youtu.be/KIJGlTu5sEI?si=U_qTZ7HBxLqh9QDd

PITTSBORO: FIRST SUNDAY IN CIRCLE CITY

Pittsboro is a small town in rural Chatham County, North Carolina, in the Piedmont southwest of Raleigh and Durham. It has a textile mill history and a small downtown with a circular street at its core, but parts are becoming developed as suburbs for the larger Triangle area, and new residents are moving here. They have a monthly street market on the first Sundays from Spring through December, and I am able to get a space for August’s event.

Rain is forecast today, but it doesn’t happen during the market – this is good in a way, but instead the air becomes hot, humid and sticky, and not many people seem to be out (except to get ice cream). Organizers and other vendors were kind and helpful here, though. Perhaps I’ll try this market again at a later time.

For more information about the Pittsboro First Sunday Artisan market: https://www.shoppittsboro.com/pittsboro-first-sunday/

This Saturday, August 10th, I’ll be setting up at the Three Seasons Market outside Six Forks Cinema on Forum Dr, in North Raleigh, if weather permits. As of this post, it looks like Storm Debby will be gone by then. Follow my Instagram page @starriarideer for updates and more info. Wishing a smooth, pleasant weekend for all! –Arianna / Starri Ari