By CHAD COOPER
A new off-road motorsports event is coming to Buchanan County this summer as organizers prepare for the inaugural Southern Gap Trails & Tunes Festival, scheduled for Aug. 20-22 at Southern Gap Dirt Drags.
The three-day festival will feature a variety of competitions and activities for off-road enthusiasts, including side-by-sides, four-wheelers and dirt bikes. Organizers are promoting the event as a weekend of motorsports, entertainment and outdoor recreation.
Activities begin on Aug. 20, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and events starting at 7 p.m. The evening lineup includes a wheelie competition and a panty race.
On Aug. 21, gates will open at 11 a.m. with events beginning at 12:30 p.m. Scheduled competitions include a tire toss, Dizzy Daze challenge, blindfold breakout, Crazy 8’s barrel racing and tug-of-war.
The festival concludes on Aug. 22, with gates opening at 10 a.m. and events starting at 11:30 a.m. Featured events include a donut competition, mud bog, hill climb, and drag racing. An awards ceremony will follow the day’s competitions.
Admission is $25 for a three-day wristband or $20 for a single-day pass. Wristbands are currently available for purchase at Extreme Motorsports.
The festival is expected to attract riders, racers and spectators from throughout Southwest Virginia and neighboring states while showcasing Buchanan County’s growing reputation as an outdoor recreation destination.
The Southern Gap area has become a focal point for recreation and tourism development in recent years, and organizers believe the new festival will provide another opportunity to bring visitors to the county while supporting local businesses.
