Floyd Energy FAIR 7/15/17

Click photo to enlarge

Floyd Energy FAIR at
Chantilly Farm

The Floyd Energy FAIR presented by the non-profit organizations SustainFloyd and Apple Ridge Farm at Chantilly Farm in Floyd County Virginia was well received with a larger than expected enthusiastic crowd.  A variety of vendors provided information on uses of solar energy, electric cars, how to conserve energy and other conservation & renewable energy ideas and methods.  A wonderful variety of food was provided by food vendors in the event barn and at the outdoor shade pavilion.

Rick Brown owner of
  SolShine Energy Alternatives

Rick Brown owner of  SolShine Energy Alternatives lectured to a full classroom of more than 40 people about what is new in solar energy and how to benefit by using solar energy in your home. There was a lot of interest and a good question and answer session.

Floyd Energy FAIR

If you did not attend the Energy FAIR you missed six excellent educational lectures by the experts.  The "Fork Mountain Ramblers" provided music from 12 to 2 PM in the shade pavilion next to the store. The folks in the pavilion enjoyed county food from "Bootleg BBQ" and other food vendors along with the good music. Check this out in the schedule to the left.

Floyd Energy FAIR vendors
in the Chantilly Farm Barn

About a dozen vendors inside the Chantilly Farm barn provided information on a wide variety of energy conservation topics including how to measure and use renewable energy to build solar/wind systems.
Red Rooster a Floyd business provided coffee and Plenty a local food bank, farm & more provided food in the barn.

Electric car vendors at the
Floyd Energy FAIR

The electric car vendors were popular with folks looking for ways to save energy.  Energy FAIR visitors enjoyed the other outdoor vendors along with  Food & Music under the shade pavilion at the Chantilly Country Store & Canteen.

Offsite tours were popular to Apple Ridge Farm and a visit to there  EBase USA center. Inge Terrill gave lectures about the EBase center at Apple Ridge Farm. The EBase (Education Base) USA is part of a global EBase movement started by Sir Robert Swan a polar explorer and environmentalist.  EBase is an off-grid classroom powered by wind or solar energy.  The EBase at Apple Ridge Farm is the first in the Northern Hemisphere. This was an eye opener for us to have this facility here in Floyd.

The Apple Ridge Farm mission is to transform the lives of our community’s underserved children and the families through engagement in unparalleled educational, cultural & outdoor experiences!
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Chantilly Bath House B with 2 solar hot water
collectors providing heat and domestic
hot water.

It was a pleasure to have "Sustain Floyd" and "Apple Ridge Farm" organize and present the Floyd Energy FAIR at Chantilly Farm. I personally improved my knowledge about the application of renewable energy for many useful projects. Chantilly Farm already uses solar hot water in our bath houses for heating and domestic hot water. This is proving to be a very effective energy saver. 

We are looking forward to partnering with the Floyd Energy FAIR promoters and making this an annual and growing event here in Floyd, County, Virginia.

"By David Larsen"  Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia.

Forest Bathing at Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia

Forest Bathing at Chantilly Farm

in Floyd County Virginia

Forest bathing: what is this? The short interpretation is using the forest for relaxation and stress reduction by simply walking, observing nature, resting, listening to sounds, in a beautiful forest.  Chantilly Farm has about 100 acres of incredible forest land with at least 20 varieties of hardwoods and many wonderful flora,  fauna and fungi. Does forest bathing really work? Yes, there are many scientific studies that prove that it's really true and you can get beautiful results. 

The Tree of Wisdom near trail C

The Japanese were the first to use the term forest bathing in 1982. A trip through the forest includes pleasant visual views and the aroma from the trees and plants. There are real beneficial compounds emitted by the forest vegetation. Even the quietness of the forest or the breeze causing a musical sound in the leaves and branches help create what is known attention restoration theory (ART).  If you want to lower your blood pressure, improve you immune system, lower your heart rate and increase your feeling of well being then join us in the Forest of Chantilly Farm.

Hiking trail at Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia

The forest at Chantilly is idyllic - hiking & bike trails, great views, abundant wild game and birds, and a small spring fed stream. We are even building a "hidden garden"  and when you find it you will love the tranquility. 

The original trail that is near the festival area and uphill from the performance stage is trail A and is less then a half mile long. It does

TRANQUILITY Bridge to trails B & C. The little
stream provides a wonderful relaxing sound.

have a few steep parts along the trail and if you have any hiking handicaps you will need to be careful. Trails B and C are new and start just below campground B.  Trails B and C are easy hiking with no steep areas, and are accessed by crossing a small stream using Tranquility Bridge to the trail area. Trail B (bright orange ribbon marking) is very short and an easy hike of less then 1/4 mile, and Trail C (pink ribbon marking) is also an easy hike of 1/2 mile. 

There is an abundance of photographic opportunities in "The Forest at Chantilly" - dozens of different flora and fauna provide beautiful subjects for pictures.  In addition to the diverse plant and animal variety, there are several types of fungi, and beautiful white /clear quartz rocks of many shapes/sizes. You will find some rare flora near beautiful small spring fed streams in parts of our forest.

Chantilly Creek 2/3 

 Previous visitors have also used the white quartz rocks to make fairy or gnome houses. Be on the lookout for these beautiful structures. Please take the time to make your own fairy house from the bits and pieces of wood and rocks along the trail. This can be a wonderful way to relax and clear your mind of stressful thinking.  If you have some food, you may want to leave a meal for the fairies (here is their favorite food click).  The mountain views and sunrise/sunsets can be spectacular here in the mountains.

For people with a creative mind, and those desiring to cultivate their creativity, there are endless benefits to be gained from forest bathing in "The Forest of Chantilly." When visiting the farm, please sign in at the farm office and let us know you are going to be out in the Chantilly Forest. 

Camping under the stars at Chantilly Farm.

You can camp at Chantilly Farm and enjoy the great outdoors and nature here in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains of Floyd, Virginia. Chantilly Farm is near the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 150.



"By David Larsen" Chantilly Farm, Floyd County Virginia



A little more research information:
A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees, such as α-Pinene andlimonene. Incorporating forest bathing trips into a good lifestyle was first proposed in 1982 by the Forest Agency of Japan. It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan and the USA. Here is some interesting research by Cimprich B. in 2007.

Good reading: the University of Minnesota "What are Healing Gardens" by  Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD

Examples of fauna in Olleros de Tera (Spain)

Chantilly Farm in Floyd Virginia has been busy during May/June 2015

Our 5th Annual "Bluegrass & BBQ Festival" May 22/23 @ Chantilly Farm
Click on photo to enlarge

Photo by Rhonda Vincent

You can see from the stage we had a big crowd -  15 great Bluegrass bands during the 2 days.

Our Headliner was 'Queen of Bluegrass'  "Rhonda Vincent and the Rage" Check out Rhonda's Web Page "CLICK"


View the festival events - Short video "CLICK"
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Queen of Bluegrass "Ronda Vincent's" ride. 

It is exciting to see the artist buses come into the farm. Here is the "Martha White" Bluegrass Express , Rhonda Vincent's ride.

We had 4 big rigs like this on Saturday. Many of the bands come in smaller vans or car caravans.

L-R David Larsen, Rhonda Vincent

That is me your blog writer with Rhonda - She is a very gracious lady.






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L-R Gaynell Larsen , Rhonda Vincent

This is my wife Gaynell - she is the host for the bands.

Rhonda  gave a special Martha White collector skillet for baking the Martha White cornbread to Gaynell.

L-R Gaynell Larsen,David Larsen, Jason Gallimore 

A big honor for our Chantilly Farm Venue - The Farm was designated an "Affiliate Crooked Road Venue"during a special ceremony at the Bluegrass Festival.  The Crooked Road in the State official - Virginia's Heritage Music Trail.





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May 29/30/31 2015









Short video gives overall view of the car show "CLICK"

Show Cars

More then 100 show cars.

Parts vendors at auto show. 

350 parts vendors at the Floyd Auto Fair.

Boobshells 

Some of the fun events - The "Bombshells" - they livened up the Auto Fair.





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Here is the June 6th event

the ISAACS and Jason Crabb

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David Larsen

.^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   

Chantilly Barn construction progressing nicley and will be fully ready for the next year's operation

We have been very busy with building infrastructure this year at Chantilly - New projects includes camping facilities for Rv's and Tent campers - completed ; New mulitpurpose barn getting closed to being finished. The Country Store constructed their annex at Chantilly Farm.  More roads and a third Commercial entrance off Franklin Pike. Chantilly water system  approved for public use. The barn construction is still in progress and  a few pictures below show it looks on the festival grounds.

Click on Photo to enlarge

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

View of Barn, County Store annex and bath house from hill.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

View of Stage, Barn and Country Store annex from shade area in the woods.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

View of barn from festival field - the mezzanine is accessed thought the white door on the side at ground level. 40 foot deck on the festival side of building accessed though 3 sliding glass doors off the mezzanine.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Better view of the 40 foot deck.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

The back side of barn has a 12x12 door - we can drive about any vehicle into the building.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Laying the heating coils for the heated floor in the barn.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Finishing the 5 inch concrete floor.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Floor and mezzanine from the back inside the barn. The ceiling is at a height of 18 feet.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Mezzanine and the 3 sliding glass doors entering onto the 40 foot deck.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Looking toward the back inside the barn from the mezzanine.

Chantilly Farm entrance by Nathaniel Frissell

Going home - just passing the farm office at the entrance gate. The fog and night light are an interesting effect.

David Larsen

The LCF Group has been enjoying developing Chantilly Farm into a music and events venue in Floyd County, Virginia.

.^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   

Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia some good things at the farm -Auto Faire - camping - Floyd County Store Kitchen

Coming up this weekend at Chantilly Farm!

The annual Floyd Auto Fair is making its return to Chantilly Farm this coming weekend! The show's organizer's, ChasingSSCars, have even added a third day to the event! Trophies will be given in a variety of categories during the judged car show on Saturday and Sunday will feature a free cruise-in! More than 100 parts vendors have already signed up! Live music from Cadillac Ranch and Casino Cruz will be featured on the main stage at Chantilly on Saturday from 12:30pm until 8pm. Come see vintage racing legend Jimmy Johnson's simulated race car--you can even take your turn behind the wheel! Admission is $6 per day and kids 12 and under are admitted for free with a paying adult. Camping is available throughout the weekend. Those with questions should contact Erik Herdman at (540)789-7898. Click to learn more  >

Expanded Camping Facilities and New Dump Station at Chantilly Chantilly Farm would like to extend a huge thank you to Brooks Brothers Excavating for all their hard work on the new campground expansion at Chantilly Farm! The new pull-through spaces are nearing completion and will feature full electrical, water, and sewage hookups for RV's and travel trailers. Construction on a second bath house facility will begin sometime this autumn. This additional infrastructure will make Chantilly Farm a prime location to pitch your tent or park your RV while passing through our part of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Don't forget, we're located only 6 miles from Downtown Floyd and just minutes from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Crooked Road Music Trail! A newly completed dump station is also now available for use. Camping at Chantilly Farm is not a requirement for use of the dump station, but a small fee will be assessed. For more information about camping at Chantilly Farm, give us a call at (540)808-4984 or email us at chantillyfarm@gmail.com . Click to learn more >

2015 Bluegrass & BBQ Festival to Expand to Two Days Chantilly Farm's largest annual outdoor event will be expanding to two full days in 2015. The 5th Annual Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ Festival will feature an all-star lineup of some of the most acclaimed performers in bluegrass and mountain music, along with arts and crafts vendors, camping, children's activities, jamming and more! Mark your calendar's now for Friday and Saturday, May 22-23, 2015 and join us for the region's hottest bluegrass festival! Ticketing and a full festival lineup will be announced later this year, so stay tuned!

Floyd Country Store Annex is Adding a Kitchen Many of you have heard about the new Floyd Country Store annex that was recently constructed in the main festival fields at Chantilly Farm, and believe it or not, the store is already expanding! Woody Crenshaw, owner of the Floyd Country Store and a local entrepreneur, is adding a kitchen to the existing building which will allow for better and more efficient service of patrons during events at the venue. The new kitchen will allow the store to serve a wider variety of both hot and cold dishes. Make sure to stop by and check out what they have to offer next time your visiting Chantilly for an event! Newsletter "byJason Gallimore" Chantilly Farm