The Heart of Virginia Festival marked the 40th year the celebration has brought art, entertainment, music and the sense of excitement that can only come from an expansive outdoor festival where you see something new and engaging every time you turn your head.

I visited the festival as a spectator last year, enjoying the walk down North Main Street that was blocked from traffic. There was organic honey, metal rings embedded with wood, a vendor who made toy swords and bows and arrows and a vendor with homemade greeting cards. This was just from a half-hour visit.

It was a good way to feel swept into a sense of home in Farmville during my first month of living here. As a reporter it was equally if not more exciting to see the same sense of excitement in participants attending the festival.

The festival, in spite of the cloudy weather and chance of storms, brought out runners in stride for the 10K run, 5K walk; dozens of artwork vendors demonstrated their crafts; magician Rob Westcott and Clown Teddy Spaghetti entertained the children; DJ Brent King, Illusive Dream, Mullett and Signature Live performed live music to close out the festival Saturday night.

What began as an art show, held in the parking lot of the area Winn-Dixie grocery store as the Outdoor Arts Festival, has grown and expanded to encompass art of all types. The art of spending time with your loved ones. The art of celebrating area paintings, sculptures, music, crafts and entertainment. The art of having new experiences. The art of enjoying a similar event in a different way.

An event like this is not easy to put together. Thank you to Heart of Virginia Festival organizers, presenting sponsors Centra Health and the Town of Farmville, major sponsor Prince Edward County, and the participating businesses, vendors and volunteers that are too numerous to name here. Your impact, whether offering a moment of wonder for a child or adult or a bite of food after a long walk, is valued.

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH is a staff reporter for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia, LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@FarmvilleHerald.com.