Headed to the Virginia Highlands Festival This Week?

Posted July 21, 2019 by Monica Hoel

Look for a 2019 E&H grad (Liv Jennings) who’s making the event thrive!

Liv Jennings (Class of 2019) has a job helping coordinate Abingdon’s biggest event: she’s the Associate Producer for the Virginia Highlands Festival (VHF).

E&H alumni can be found playing pivotal roles in nearly every nook and corner of the world, so it’s no surprise that an E&H alumna is an important part of this historic and beloved festival. The Virginia Highlands Festival is celebrating a 70th anniversary this year, and was founded by Robert Porterfield – the same Robert Porterfield who started the Barter Theatre. The 2019 festival will run from July 26 – August 4, and will welcome visitors from all over the world who come to shop for hand-crafted items, antiques, and art, and also enjoy workshops, concerts, and regional hikes.

Liv’s job includes web and print design, social media, and donor relations along with many other odds and ends. She began her work for the Festival in an internship her senior year. And this busy summer season has given her some great life lessons. “I have gained so many valuable skills and abilities during my short time with the festival. Having someone as fabulous as Becky [Becky Caldwell, VHF Executive Director] to mentor and guide me through the beginning of my event planning career while supporting my ideas and dreams has been greater than anything I could have asked for.”

She hasn’t been on the job long, but she’s already made her mark. In fact, her boss was recently heard to say she’d love to figure out a way to keep her around on the staff. But Liv is making plans for her next steps, and is looking to move into graphic design or event planning in the Charlottesville, Virginia area.

But at the moment, she just wants to encourage everyone to take in this 70th Virginia Highlands Festival. “I may be biased, but this very well may be the best festival yet. We have implemented a new style of art that you will not want to miss- seriously, it’s pretty amazing. I am so proud of everyone that has poured their hearts into this year’s festival and glad to be a part of such an influential non-profit organization. I can’t wait to see everything finally come together this week!”

Liv Jennings, E&H Class of 2019.

“I have gained so many valuable skills and abilities during my short time with the festival. …it has been greater than anything I could have asked for.”

– Liv Jennings
E&H Class of 2019

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Headed to the Virginia Highlands Festival This Week?

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