Welcome to Elk Fest!

Elk Fest is an annual festival held in Grundy, VA to celebrate the mountain heritage and culture of the region. Grundy is the elk capital of Virginia, where the elk population was restored and the herd has thrived, providing opportunities for elk viewing.

Want to Ride Spearhead?

Spearhead Trails offers ATV and side-by-side trails that connect directly to Breaks Interstate Park at Southern Gap. A valid Spearhead Trails permit is required to ride. Permits can be purchased using the link below.

Purchase Trail Permit

Elk Fest Schedule

The Elk Fest schedule is subject to change as more event times are confirmed.

- 9:00 a.m.
  - ATV/Sasquatch Scavenger Hunt begins
- 6:30 p.m.
  - Wild Game Dinner & Live Auction
- 7:00 p.m.
  - Vendor setup Thursday evening
- 7:00 a.m.
  - Elk Viewing Tour
- 8:30–9:00 a.m.
  - Buchanan County 7th Grade programming begins
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  - DWR Canine Officer and Elk Biologist Program
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  - Virginia Wildlife Center Presentation
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  - Archery and demonstrations
- 9:00 a.m.
  - Mountain Arts Showcase opens for submissions.
- Official time coming soon.
  - Vendor activities and demonstrations.
- 5:00 p.m.
  - Friday Evening Elk Viewing Tour
- 6:00 p.m.
  - Storytelling followed by Community Jam Session
- 7:00 a.m.
  - Elk Viewing Tour
- 9:00 a.m.
  - Buchanan County Birding Club Birding Hike
- 9:00 a.m.
  - Cornhole Tournament Registration
- 10:00 a.m.
  - Cornhole Tournament Start
- 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  - Kids Fishing Tanks
- 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  - Hayrides and Archery Range
- 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  - Little Critters Petting Zoo
- 3:00 p.m. Inside the Visitor Center
  - Bird/Wildlife Program
- Official time coming soon.
  - Vendor activities and demonstrations
- 4:00 p.m.
  - Mountain Arts Showcase Judging
- 1:00 p.m.
  - Appalachian Games
- 5:00 p.m.
  - Awards for the Appalachian Games
  - Cornhole Tournament Awards
  - Pie Bake off Awards
  - Art Contest Awards
- 6:00 p.m.
  - Zoe Howard & Yellow Line Bluegrass Performance
- 7:00 p.m.
  - Ralph Stanley II and the clinch Mountain boys Performance

Want to be a Vendor?

We’re excited to welcome local vendors and artisans back to the 2026 Elk Fest!

We have closed our vendor applications for Elk Fest 2026 On Wednesday September 16. We are currently not accepting any more vendor applications for this event.

Thank you to all who applied to be a vendor for Elk fest. If you have been approved as a vendor our team will reach out to you. Please wait to hear from us to confirm your spot as a vendor this year.

Thank you to all and we will see you at Elk Fest 2026!