STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Frontier Culture Museum (FCMV), Virginia Humanities, and the Virginia Cider Association have partnered for the upcoming Cider Festival on November 8 in Staunton, VA from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

According to FCMV Director of Events Paige Hildebrand, the festival will be a chance for people to learn the history of cider and how it influences culture in the past and the present.

The event is part of the 50th anniversary of Virginia Humanities and Director for the Virginia Center of the Book Kalela Williams said she wanted the event to be held in Staunton. She added that she loved the Frontier Culture Museum and cider.

Williams reached out to Hildebrand for the idea and Hildebrand included Secretary of the Virginia Cider Association Nikki West of “Ciders From Mars” in Staunton and the planning began.

“We all got together and came up with this Cider Festival, and the Frontier Culture Museum has a lot of resources and just this wonderful space and a lot of insight,” said Williams. “Nikki and the Cider Association as well. So, it’s just a really great combination of partners.”

Nikki West added that her and Hildebrand had been wanting to put together a cider festival at the FCMV.

“I think that having the momentum and the extra push from Virginia Humanities and Kalela to get this off the ground and running was the energy that we needed to get it across the finish line,” said West.

Hildebrand called the Cider Festival planning process a group effort due to pulling resources from each organization. The event features living history demonstrations, author talks, live music, food trucks and cider tasting.

Williams said learning about the history of cider in the country, especially with the 250th anniversary of the United States next year.

“It’s really a history that spans a multitude of cultures in America and speaks to our present and in our future,” said Williams.

For more information, visit: Cider Festival – FCMV.