10/09/2025
We are just a few short weeks away from the MidMountain Masquerade on October, 25!
And we are getting ready for it now, working with Rockbridge Historical Society to prep an installation of local historical and artistic artifacts titled Community-Building through Ritual and Pageantry, as part of the festivities! The exhibit will use materials from RHS Collections – including rare documents and iconographic prints, ritual clothing and regalia donated by the recently disbanded Odd Fellows Lodge No. 58 (Loving Rebekah No. 74), other local Masonic lodges and leaders, and related military and artistic contexts to explore how people use symbolic images and group rituals, pageantry, performance, and music in order to both forge and affirm stronger community bonds. Rockbridge Historical Society Executive Director Eric Wilson will join us on site for a brief discussion of the exhibit on the 25th!
We’re also excited to share our music and workshop line-up: Get ready for the musical performances from Betsy from Mars, Saprozoic, Harli Saxon as well as creative workshops from Sarah Gill, Kimberly Wolf, Sarah Marie Hughes, Sal Dockery, Adele Josephine, and more. Plus, we’ll an open mic, have Harley Lucado as the bonfire rages into the night!
Remember: The Masquerade will run from 2pm through 10pm on Saturday, October 25. We’ll have also art installations, craft stations for puppets and masks, costume contests, a community potluck, and more. Tickets are available online now for a sliding scale donation of $15-$50, with no one turned away due to lack of funds, to make the event as inclusive as possible. However, the event is limited to 150 attendees by permit, so reserve your spot soon! All proceeds will benefit presenting artists and MidMountain’s future community events.
Speaking of community events, here’s are all the All Unmasking RockBridge History events we have coming up!
October 20, 6-8pm: Heritage Pokeberry Ink-Making Workshop at MidMountain Retreat, 338 Arnolds Valley Rd, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579.
October 21, 12-2pm: Unmasking Local History Workshop, Rockbridge Regional Library Lexington, 138 South Main Street,Lexington, VA 24450.
October 22, 6-9pm: Craft night and Concert Night featuring Endless Mike and the Beagle Club, Harli Saxon, and F.W. Willis at MidMountain Retreat, 338 Arnolds Valley Rd, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579. ($10-20 suggested donation, no one turned away due to lack of funds.)
October 25, 2–10pm: MidMountain Masquerade at MidMountain Retreat, 338 Arnolds Valley Rd, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579. ($15-50 suggested donation, no one turned away due to lack of funds.)
