The Southern Gap Amphitheater is taking shape, with earthwork complete, sod laid throughout the seating bowl and crews nearing completion of the stage roof as the venue prepares to welcome its first audiences in 2027.
The latest milestones mark another step forward for the Buchanan County project after years of planning, according to Asher McGlothlin, president and director of Sunset Holler Inc.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see the Southern Gap Amphitheater become a reality after years of planning and hard work,” McGlothlin said. “We’re incredibly grateful to all of our partners and donors who have helped bring this vision to life, and we never could have gotten here without the leadership and support of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors and the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority.”
The outdoor venue is being constructed on the Breaks Interstate Park-owned Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure property. Once complete, it is expected to accommodate up to 2,500 guests for live music, entertainment and other events.
With grass now covering the seating bowl and the stage roof nearing completion, the work is giving residents a clearer picture of the gathering place Sunset Holler has worked to develop.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our first audiences in 2027 and seeing the positive impact this venue can have on Buchanan County and the broader region for years to come,” McGlothlin said.
Plans call for an 84-foot-by-57-foot performance stage, including a 55-foot-by-42-foot clear area in the center large enough to accommodate a wrestling mat. That space would allow the amphitheater to host athletic competitions alongside concerts, festivals and community celebrations.
VMDO Architects and Terra Tech Engineering are designing the venue, with J.A. Street & Associates serving as general contractor.
Sunset Holler, a Virginia nonstock corporation formed in December 2018, initially planned a larger venue on property deeded to the organization by the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority. The project was later scaled to a 2,500-guest venue, with plans involving a land swap among Sunset Holler, the IDA and Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure.
The Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure property became part of the Breaks Interstate Park system after documents finalizing its sale were signed Dec. 1, 2025. The acquisition included the campground, associated operations and assets, and approximately 35 acres.
An agreement reached as part of the sale allowed Sunset Holler’s amphitheater project to move forward under the new ownership.
Construction has been expected to finish by the end of 2026, ahead of an inaugural season in 2027. The venue is intended to give residents a new place to gather while drawing visitors from Southwest Virginia and neighboring states.
For McGlothlin and the project’s supporters, the completed earthwork, newly laid sod and progress on the roof bring that opening season closer to reality.
