Virginia Black Bear Festival Announcement
By Ruth Walkup
When: June 6, 2026 from 10am – 4pm
Where: Downtown Stanardsville, Va.
Cost: Free!
On June 6, Stanardsville will host the annual Virginia Black Bear Festival, also celebrating National Trails Day. Various organizations that honor nature, promote outside activities and adventures, and celebrate the emergence of black bears will be on hand to celebrate SNP, the AT, and Virginia’s wild spaces.
PATC, a partner in the festival, will host an information table. The past two years, we had a busy tent with visitors—answering their questions, encouraging new members, poring over maps to show our favorite near-by hikes. As last time, members of the PATC (Southern Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville chapters, primarily) will be volunteering. Come join us!
The schedule, a map, and a list of activities and vendors can be found at www.vablackbearfestival.com