Approximately seven months after receiving a special use permit (SUP), Madison Hills has announced its first event.
Molly Wilshere and Michael Bianco received an SUP to operate the Madison Hills event venue in August, much to the dismay of some neighbors. The 186.476 acre A-1, agricultural, property is located off Oak Park Road. Wilshere purchased the property in the fall of 2024 and plans to host up to four seasonal events there including a winter light show, summer children’s event and spring and fall events.
Madison Hills will host its first event in May. The Virginia Fantasy Festival will welcome adventurers, families and dreamers to the county, transforming the countryside “into a living storybook filled with mythical realms, artisan markets, live entertainment and immersive experiences inspired by folklore and medieval tradition.”
The festival will take place Saturdays and Sundays May 2-31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. allowing visitors to wander the grounds, enjoy live performances, music and food, meet storytellers and performers and shop handcrafted goods from artisans in an open-air marketplace. Dash Rippington will perform his “Dangerously Stupid Show,” while Stephon Walker will take on the role of pickpocket Les S. Moore in his comedic performance and the Misfits of Fortune perform their “A Merry Mutiny” show. The event will also feature equestrian shows demonstrating various types of armor and combat May 9-31.
Madison residents receive an exclusive 50% discount on festival passes when purchased online. Use the code MAD50 at checkout. According to a press release, the discount is offered as a gesture of appreciation to the local community and designed to welcome neighbors and encourage the community to experience the festival.
Passes are $20 for full day admission with parking passes available for an additional $10. Dog passes are available for $5. Passes are free for children 8 and under and adults 65 and older. Purchase passes and learn more at https://madisonhillsevents.com/va-fan-fest/.
For those wishing for a more immersive experience, blacksmithing classes and battle school are available during the festival. Blacksmithing classes are provided by Platinum Star Forge with each session open to four participants. Sessions are held throughout the day with options for a 90-minute or three hour class. Participants can reserve a class online at https://madisonhillsevents.com/blacksmith-classes/. The 90-minute class is $50 while the three hour class is $100. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes, natural fiber pants and sign a liability waiver.
The battle school is hosted by the Misfits of Mayhem, a North Carolina based troupe of performers, educators, reenactors and stage combat specialists. Their school allows participants to engage in a shield wall experience with a bear pit tournament, battlefield games and interactive training activities. The shield wall experience is $20 and can be reserved at https://madisonhillsevents.com/misfits-of-mayhem/.
The Virginia Fantasy Festival is just the beginning for the venue. The Frost Fest will be held Dec. 4 – Jan. 17 with holiday lights, decorations and more. Hours will be 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on Madison Hills, follow the venue on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MadisonHillsEvents.
