Sisters on the Fly Land in Floyd for a Hoedown
~ The following appeared in The Floyd Press on October 27, 2011 with an extended spread of photos and captions.
A cowgirl caravan of women traveling with vintage campers was back in Floyd over the weekend for a “Sisters on the Fly” Blue Ridge Hoedown at Daddy Rabbits Campground in Willis. Campground owner Marian Smith said the number of campers doubled from last year’s inaugural hoedown and that the campground was at its capacity with 46 campers.
Founded in 1999 by two sister siblings who wanted to share their love of fly fishing and outdoor experiences, Sisters on the Fly has a membership of more than 2,000 women from across the country. Fort Chiswell sister Sue Wenner, who organized the hoedown, said the sisterhood holds about 50 national camping events a year and that she attended about seven this year, including the National Cornbread Festival in Tennessee and Saddle Up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Cowgirl campers came from Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey. Most arrived on Thursday and enjoyed an evening BBQ, prepared in part by Wenner’s husband, and live music performed by fellow sisters. “Thursday is the only time men are allowed,” Wenner said.
Also on the Thursday-through-Sunday schedule was a Dutch oven potluck around the campfire, an evening of old-time music and dancing at the Friday Night Jamboree and an antique shopping excursion into town to look for items to further personalize campers and camp sites. At least one sister had plans to go fly fishing in Burkes Fork Creek. ~ Colleen Redman
Post Notes: Sharon Lambert and her 1963 Safari gypsy wagon camper, complete with a crystal ball, is pictured in photo #1. Lambert, who hails from Tennessee, bought $200 worth of material at Floyd’s Schoolhouse Fabrics last year to make a crazy quilt (pictured in photo #2) for her gypsy camper. Carolina Cowgirl April Fuqua is pictured with her dog named Loretta Lynn at the door of her camper in photo #4. See a post on last year’s Cowgirl Caravan to Floyd HERE.
October 28th, 2011 3:27 pm
wow!!! I want to join this sisterhood. get a load of those vintage campers – so artistically decorated. I love it! thanks for sharing Colleen. you live in a groovy area with all these really cool happenings. happy weekend to you.
October 28th, 2011 9:05 pm
Looks like a super fun time with some very cool ladies!
October 30th, 2011 5:19 pm
oh wow, got to love a campground called Daddy Rabbits!
November 8th, 2011 2:02 pm
I’d be one of those Jersey Girls that attended this event. I am Sister on the Fly #607 and that’s my turquoise trailer that goes by the same name. It was a great weekend w/ great views and great company. My first visit to the area, but not my last!