Within the hills and mountains of Southwest Virginia, not West Virginia, now, but the west end of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is a small town named Abingdon. Each Memorial Day weekend on Saturday about 20,000 people swell the town’s population to enjoy a one day festival called Plumb Alley Day. Plumb Alley is a narrow lane that stretches most of the way through Abingdon “Plumb from one end to the other.”
Along this stretch of paved path you will find all manner of folks enjoying the beginning of the summer season. From yard sales to bake sales, kettle corn, Revolutionary War re-enactors and more the citizens come out to share the day. It is one of the highlights of my year, especially in a way of kicking off summer. Over the years I have taken part in multiple ways, including setting up a vendor location to sell greenhouse plants.
For 2016 I will be leading an effort from our church to provide a large scale outreach to our community. Plumb Alley Day is a great vehicle for trying such an outreach due to the nature of the event. You have folks from all walks of life and reaches of our region that attend.
Our location will be mixed among many others with varying purposes, all there due to the perfect mix of people wanting to share what they have and those wanting to receive what is offered.
What follows is photos I have made of my 2016 Plumb Alley experience.
