Chautauqua

Spirits Soar for 5 Days at Wytheville, VA's Chatauqua Festival-in-the-Park

Chautauqua: (pronounced sha tak’wa)... of Seneca Indian origin; a name of a place, variously represented as titles in early (chiefly French) writings and maps...literal meaning - "one has taken fish out there..."

...which may account for the relationship to Lake Chautauqua in southwestern New York. Chautauqua, NY, is the site of the educational assembly started in 1874 and still in existence today.

In the late nineteenth century, the Chautauqua movement became a popular form of adult education and entertainment in the United States. Using a noted lyceum speakers such as Teddy Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan, along with local talent, the movement literally spread throughout the country, traveling in caravans and setting up their tent performances in towns with primary access to the railroad.

In the 1920s, Wytheville, Virginia, was a stop on the Chautauqua circuit, reportedly known as the Red Circuit which ran perpendicular to the White/Brown Circuit that crossed the rural Midwestern United States, where Chautauqua was especially popular.

Chautauqua lectures, musical features, dramatic arts and children’s activities peaked in popularity during the 1920s. The demise of Chautauqua followed, brought on by the Great Depression and the rise of the film industry.

In 1985, the Chautauqua Festival was rejuvenated in the southwest Virginia community of Wytheville. The festival is an annual source of entertainment, enjoyment and education. 1997 events include children’s activities, live nightly entertainment, arts and crafts, hot air ballooning, magic, music, drama, dance and special exhibits.

This year’s Chautauqua is June 18-22 in Wytheville’s Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park. It is co-sponsored by the Wythe Arts Council, Ltd, the Town of Wytheville and Wythe County. Information: phone 540-228-6855.