A preview of Interesting things going on up, down and around the Parks and Drives. With the slowdown in the economy, our National Parks probably will see a pick up in visitations.So much to see and do and a lot of it free or at a very low cost.
Dear Traveler
This is the seventh issue of our events newsletter about things going on near the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. They are separated into 12 sections to match up with the map sections on our web site.
http://www.BlueRidgeSkyline.com
Starting with the Northern Section of the Skyline Drive including Winchester and Front Royal and working our way south to the Southern end near Cherokee NC and then on to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tenn.
You will see several . major events in some of the towns posted several months before the scheduled event. This is so you can make special plans early enough to make the trip work
Winchester, Front Royal, Middletown and the Northern Section of the Skyline Drive.
Middletown
Man of La Mancha
June 6 - July 4, 2009
This Winner of Best Musical, Man of La Mancha tells the story of the "mad" knight, Don Quixote, as a play within a play, performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition. This tale tells the romantic and noble journey of a knight who sets out to right all wrongs and win the heart of the woman of his dreams. Matinees available, call for show-times.
(540) 869-1776.
7853
Main Street, Middletown.
Wayside Theater website
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Winchester
Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre
Presents:West Side Story
Wed June 24th Sunday July 5th 7-9 PM
This Romeo and Juliet story of star-crossed lovers, enmessed in a gang conflict between the Sharks and the Jets is sure to please crowds. Memorable songs from the musical include "Tonight" and "I Feel Pretty." Matinees available, call the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre Box Office for showtimes (540)665-4569. 1460 University Drive, Winchester. www.su.edu
(540)665-4569.
1460 University Drive, Winchester.
Shenandoah University Web Site
Harrisonburg and Luray section of the Skyline Drive
Harrisonburg
5TH ANNUAL
COURT & MARKET DAYS FESTIVAL
JUNE 6, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
FREE EVENTS TURNER PAVILION
(Behind the Harrisonburg Municipal Building)
Music
Arts & Crafts Vendors
Farmer's Market Vendors
Street Dramas
Play: "Dogs Days at Town Council"
Walking Tours
Artisan Demonstrators
Children's Activities
Horse and Carriage Rides Available
$4.00 Adults
$2.00 Children 7 & under
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Luray
Shenandoah National Park Ranger Programs ..
Daily
April 2nd thru Oct 27th
Region: Shenandoah Valley
Locality: Page County
Skyland Resort and the Big Meadows
3655 US Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835
Ranger Programs such as hikes, walks, tours of historic Massanutten Lodge, Junior Ranger Programs, Birds of Prey are offered at Skyland Resort and the Big Meadows area from April through October. The traditional campfire programs are a popular summertime event. These programs open the doors to explore the world of the Blue Ridge Mountains and to learn the stories of visitors and residents now and in the past. Check the Park's web site, the site bulletin or Shenandoah Overlook newspaper for the current schedule.
See Park web site here
Staunton and Waynesboro where the Skyline Drive and The Blue Ridge Parkway meet
Staunton
Guided Walking Tours of Historic Staunton
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
24 North Coalter Street
Staunton, VA 24401
Discover Staunton, the Queen City of the Shenandoah Valley, on a free walking tour guided by Historic Staunton Foundation volunteers. Tours last 2 hours and trace Staunton's development from frontier settlement to booming 19th century commercial center. Stroll through four of Staunton's five Historic Districts as your guide describes the town's history and its beautifully restored architecture.
See dates of Walking Tours
Road condition information from the National Park Service
Skyline Drive
Blue Ridge Parkway
Lexington, Natural Bridge, Bedford and Buchannan sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Lexington
June 18- 21: Shenandoah Arabian Classic Championships
Arabian Horse Association rated, USDF rated, and USEF "A" rated Arabian, Half Arabian and Dressage horse show. Featured are Sport Horse, Dressage, Working Hunter, all seats of Equitation (hunt seat, reining seat, and saddle seat), Sidesaddle, Halter, Liberty, English & Country Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, Native Costume, Trail, and Western Horsemanship competition. Highlights for Saturday evening include Mounted Native Costume, Liberty, Dog Races and Achievement Award Presentation with a reception.
Admission is FREE!
Location: All Facilities
Contact: Sherri Re at 281-513-5745
Email: sherrire101@yahoo.com;
Virginia Horse Center Web Site
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BEDFORD
65th Commemoration of D-Day
Jun 4 - Jun 7
A four day conference and commemoration featuring discussions, lectures, displays, and a host of other opportunities for veterans to reconnect with friends and mark this momentous anniversary. Highlights include: June 4 - 7 - The D-Day Journey Then and Now - Roundtable discussions examining the events of June 6th from all backgrounds and perspective, featuring veteran guest speakers. June 4 - 7 Veterans Oral History Interviews. Have your experiences recorded for inclusion in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Saturday June 6th - Remembering Their Valor, Fidelity, and Sacrifice - Join veterans and visitors from around the nation as we honor all those who served in Operation Overlord and Operation Neptune.
Visit Bedford Web Page here
Web Site of the D-Day Memorial
Roanoke, Salem & Smith Mt. Lake
Roanoke
Featuring the Taubman Museum of Art
So many things going on aththis new museum that we again decided to just add the May Calendar. Hope you enjoy the visit.
Taubman Calendar Here
Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Wytheville and Floyd
Floyd
Floyd Town Jubilee
June 20th
showcasing our new Warren G. Lineberry Memorial Park and celebrating mountain culture, music and arts. Free concert featuring Adrienne Young, Mac & Jenny Traynham, Blue Moonshine, Dry Hill Draggers, Upland Express, Scott Perry, Down Home Gospel and Windfall! Children's entertainment, local foods, arrisans and crafters, farmlife, history and storytelling! A First Annual Event for the Town of Floyd! Accepting vendor applications at www.floydtownjubilee.org or call 745-2565 or 745-2987! A Summer Celebration you will NOT want to miss!
www.floydtownjubilee.org
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Wytheville
Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre
The King and I
May 7 - June 28
East versus West make for a dramatic, richly textured, uplifting tale of enormous fascination! Anna, a widow from Wales, arrives at the royal palace in Bangkok, Siam, summoned by King Mongkut to serve as tutor to his many children and wives. The king, wishing to learn and absorb western knowledge, (despite his head-strong demeanor), sometimes conflicts over how to reconcile western ways with his own. This Tony Award Winner features Rodgers & Hammerstein's timeless favorites "I Whistle a Happy Tune", "Getting to Know You", "Shall We Dance?" and "Hello Young Lovers". This musical is a theatrical classic!
Visit the Web Site here
Galax Hillsville and Independence
GALAX
Galax Leaf & String Festival
June 12th & 13th
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
For eight years, during the second weekend in June, the Galax Leaf & String Festival has served to highlight the best our region has to offer. Originally created as a traditional music event, the Galax Leaf & String Festival, like our community, has continued to evolve into a showcase for all the things we take pride in, our music, our art, and our region - a great place to live and work This year, Leaf & String promises to be better than ever with more acts, more activities and more fun for everyone. Chestnut Creek School of the Arts will be front and center promoting classes and enlightenment packages for all ages. We'll also have a full sampling of local music, luthiers, arts, crafts and regional and national authors on hand to meet and entertain you. This year's event will feature Wayne Henderson and Jeff Little at the Historic Rex Theater on Friday night, June 12th. Tickets will be $8.00 at the door. Visit our website for more details.
See the web site here
Smoke on the Mountain State
Barbecue Championship
July 17-19th 2009
Imagine being part of the state barbecue championship in the beautiful mountain town of Galax, Virginia! Known worldwide as the Capital of Bluegrass Music and the famous Old Time Fiddler's Convention - now's your chance to spill a little barbecue sauce into this music-loving community. Come & Enjoy some BBQ!
Web Site Here
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74th Annual Old Time Fiddlers Convention
August 3 - 8, 2009
Make your plans now for this Major Galax Event
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Hillsville
Labor Day Flea Market and Gun SHow
Friday - August 31, 2007 through Monday - September 3, 2007
This event is sponsored by VFW Grover King Post 1115 and has achieved such popularity that it now consumes much of the entire town of Hillsville. Antique dealers, gun dealers and traders of all kinds make this one of the largest shows in the southeast. Hillsville expects to draw over 500,000 visitors this Labor Day weekend.
To help in planning your visit to this event we have gathered information on area Lodging and food, click "Links" on the web page
You'll also find a link on Traffic Information from the Virgina Dept. of Transportation as well as the current weather conditions.
See Web Site Here
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Independence
Peach Bottom Farm Fiddle & Strings Camp
June 15-19 2009
9:00 - 5:00
PEACH BOTTOM FARM FIDDLE & STRINGS CAMP JUNE 15 - 19 2009 A rare opportunity to experience Appalachia, its music & heritage at the pastoral setting of Peach Bottom Farm. Intensive, intimate and funfilled teaching each day with our staff of local and Internationally known knowledgable and notable Instructors. Styles taught include; Appalachian Old-Time, Bluegrass, Canadian, Irish, Scottish, Swing and Contest-style. All ages and abilities welcome.
Visit Web Site
Mt Airy, Sparta, Elkins and Wilkesboro NC
Wilkesboro
Moonshine and Thunder
Starts - 6/26/2009
Ends - 7/3/2009
When - Varies
Where - Forest Edge Amphitheater at Fort Hamby, Wilkesboro
June 26, 27, 28, & 30. July 1, 2, & 3. Set in Wilkes County, once known as the moonshine capital of the world, the play focuses primarily on NASCAR legend Junior Johnsons story of the early years of running 'shine and racing, to the evolution of NASCAR. Tickets prices are TBA, offer Student + Senior rate, Group rates will be available. Call (336)838-7529 or order online.
More info online
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Elkin NC
Nationally Ranked Hotel
If you are in the Elkin, NC area, do your self a favor and check out the new Hampton Inn at Shelton Vineyards, rated #2 in the USA recently.
Hampton Inn & Suites at Shelton Vineyards has been designated as one of the best in the world by the 2008 Connie Awards from the Hilton Hotel Corporation. Being specifically recognized for its loyalty and quality assurance. Serving up more than just a comfortable bed and continental breakfast, this Hampton features some Jacuzzi suites among its 102 rooms, a heated pool, modern exercise room and the chains only wine bar. Our suites were created especially for brides and out of town guests, designed for the perfect wedding day and beyond. A honeymoon paradise....newly weds are sure to book our whirlpool suite complete with 36 square foot rain shower and massage heads! You're out of town guests will be made to feel right at home with our spacious one room suites with cloud nine bedding, microwave, refrigerator, in room movies and more! Call (336) 353-9400, email curtis.largen@hilton.com or visit us on the web at www.hamptoninn.hilton.com.
Boone,Blowing Rock ,Jefferson and Banner Elk
Blowing Rock
Jun 11 - 14, 2009
Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show - Saddlebred
Location: Tate Show Grounds
828.295.4700
The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest horse show events in the country and has been a Blowing Rock tradition since 1923. Admission.
More Information
Flat Rock, Henderson and Black Mountain
Flat Rock
June 10 - 28
Flat Rock Playhouse presents Man of La Mancha, one of the most inspiring Broadway musicals which introduced The Impossible Dream, $34, evenings 8:15PM, matinees 2:15PM, Flat Rock, 828-693-0731 or 866-732-8008
Flat Rock Playhouse Site
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June 12 & 13
Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival, Governor sanctioned BBQ cook off (entertainment, crafts, BBQ and children's fair) Harmon Field, Fri. 11:00AM-11:00PM, Sat. 10:00AM-11:00PM, Tryon, 828-859-7427
Festival Web Site here
Asheville
Asheville
Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art,
May 22, to Aug. 23 2009
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, is intended to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. "Through this exhibit and the online and educational materials that we'll present, we want to introduce people in the South to master artists and craftspeople living and working in their own communities," said Gerri Combs, Executive Director of the Southern Arts Federation. "The incredible diversity of these individuals and the objects they create will give people a new window into the traditions of the South's many cultural communities and the vibrant contemporary craft movement in the region." Among the artists in the exhibit are six recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the country's highest honor for traditional artists. The combination of contemporary craft and traditional art in this exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to explore the "threads" between two different approaches to creating artwork, and also to compare the approaches of traditional and contemporary artists.
Time:
10:00 AM-05:00 PM
Location:
Asheville Art Museum
2 So. Pack Square
Asheville , NC 28801
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville,TN
Gatlinburg
Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
June 12-August 8
Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg's 4th annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 12, 2009 and will run through August 8. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.
This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg's greatest assets - the walkability of the community - and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.
The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 5 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 10 p.m. As many as 18 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.
See the rest of the information here
Some special links to make your visit more worthwhile
Chestnut Creek School of the Arts
Chestnut Creek School of Arts preserves and promotes the cultural heritage of southwest Virginia by fostering artistic and individual growth through classes in visual and performing arts, heritage and contemporary craft, and traditional music.
Visit the Web Site
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The Crooked Road
Craft
Virginia's Heritage Music Trail
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Friends of The Blue Ridge Parkway
Friends of The Blue Ridge Parkway web site
ODDS and ENDS Some interesting things
Unbelieveable how Robin guesses your thoughts.
Go Here
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Cat Bowling... a game to drive you crazy!
Play it Here
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The Fastest Plane ever, a very interesting flash videoVisit it here