Photo Courtesy: Highland County Chamber of Commerce

The Highland County Maple Festival has been announced as the 2020 first-place winner for Best Food or Drink Festival of the Shenandoah Valley Region in Virginia Living’s ninth annual Best of Virginia issue. This special issue hit newsstands July 17.

The statewide guide to all that is “best” in Virginia dining, shopping, and doing, Best of Virginia 2020 lists the more than 1,500 winners from the magazine’s readers’ survey conducted in January. More than 54,000 people voted in 103 categories, covering the best in Living & Recreation, Food & Drink, Shopping, and Services across the state.

Since 1958, visitors have been drawn to Highland County to tour real maple sugar camps for a cultural and culinary adventure during the annual Highland County Maple Festival. Tens of thousands of visitors are drawn to this unspoiled, rural, mountain community each year to celebrate the “opening” of the trees and experience arts and crafts, food, and entertainment.

In 1999, The Library of Congress designated the Highland County Maple Festival a “Local Legacy.”

In 2014, the Governor of Virginia signed a bill into law designating the festival as the “official maple festival of Virginia.”

“The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is humbled to have the Maple Festival chosen for this distinction,” says Executive Director Chris Swecker. “For over sixty years, the festival has been a unique event for all ages, and we are thrilled to see it being honored like this in a statewide survey. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every maple syrup producer, business, organization, vendor, and volunteer.  Even with the current and future challenges of holding mass events in the age of coronavirus, we look forward to continuing to celebrate the Highland County Maple Festival and pure Virginia maple syrup with visitors and residents for years to come.”

Best of Virginia 2020 is the guide to everything from the best shopping mall in Northern Virginia and the best barbecue restaurant in the Southwest, to the best hotel in Eastern Virginia, the best hospital in Central Virginia, and the best dance studio in the Shenandoah Valley.

Plus, the issue features bonus stories that highlight first, second, and third place winners around the state. Learn about how to stay safe in the sun from local dermatologists, antique hunting from the best antique winners, and read about the big sandwich debate from local sandwich shops.

Also on newsstands: the Virginia Living July issue. Stories include a roundup of waterfall hikes, sparks fly at Dominion Fireworks; a trip to Martinsville, the Southern history of sweet tea, local pantry products you need, barbecue restaurants specializing in everything from smoked sausage to ribs; garden tips and tricks; a history of tennis in Virginia, and everything you need to know for your next camping trip!

About Virginia Living

Virginia Living celebrates all things Virginia—from its people and places to its deep history and traditions. The highest quality, most widely-read lifestyle magazine in the state, Virginia Living’s combination of smart, engaging stories and stunning photography and art makes it a must-read for anyone interested in the Old Dominion.

Virginia Living publishes six bimonthly issues each year in addition to the Best of Virginia issue.

Virginia Living is available by subscription and at quality newsstands, including select Barnes & Noble, Wegmans, and Kroger stores.

The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) membership nonprofit organization with a mission to lift up local businesses and entrepreneurs, promote Highland County, and champion economic prosperity and quality of life.  For more information, please visit www.highlandcounty.org.