September Events
Sep 1 - Oct 6 - Smith Mountain Lake State Park presents Wildlife Wednesday Cruises - We've teamed up with Virginia Dare Cruises to offer this fun-filled and informative lunch cruise. Join us the first Wednesday of each month. Call 540-297-7100 for reservations and further information. - www.vadarecruises.com
Sep 4 - Oct 30 - Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Community Market - 9:00am to 1:00pm - Moneta Farm and Home Center, 11739 Moneta Road, Moneta - 540-297-5789 - www.monetasmlmarket.com
Sep 7 - Oct 1 - Tasty Tuesdays at the Bedford Farmers Market - Farmer's Market Open from 7:00am to 2:00pm, Tasty Tuesday 3:00pm to 7:00pm. - Bedford Farmer's Market, Corner of Washington and Center Streets, Bedford - 540-586-2148 - www.centertownbedford.com
Sep 9 - Garrison Keillor a Prairie Home Companion - 7:30pm - A Prairie Home Companion Summer Lover Tour with The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, Sara Watkins and Fred Newman. - Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, VA - Reserved Seating $42.50 - 540-375-3004 - www.outbackconcerts.com
Sep 10 - Dec 10 - 2nd Friday in Centertown Bedford - Experience the unique shops, restaurants and art venues in Bedford's Centertown. This free event is held on the 2nd Friday evening of each month. All art venues will be offering art related events 5:00pm to 8:00pm. - Centertown Bedford - 540-586-2148 - www.centertownbedford.com
Sep 10 - Sep 12 - 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Join Blue Ridge Parkway staff at Cumberland Knob (milepost 217.5) & the Blue Ridge Music Center (milepost 212.5) for a celebration of the Parkway’s 75th anniversary!
Sep 10 - Bluegrass Music at the Museum for 2nd Fridays - 6:00pm - Ricky Ellis will lead the concert and “Mike Walker and Friends” will also perform. Others may perform as time allows. If the weather is nice the concert will be in the parking lot so bring a lawn chair. If the weather is not nice the concert will be on the third floor, elevator available. This program is a part of the “Second Friday Night” promotion of downtown Bedford. Come early and eat in the downtown restaurants, shop in our stores and then come to the Museum and enjoy the music. - Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, 201 East Main Street, Bedford - 540-586-4520 - www.bedfordvamuseum.org
Sep 10 - Liza Minnelli - The Roanoke Civic Center is pleased to introduce Legends, featuring the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Maestro David Stewart Wiley, performing for the first time with the illustrious Liza Minnelli. Tickets for this are $75 and $25 each ($25 seats are upper corners of concourse only). Floor seating will be at tables with a capacity of eight (8). Enjoy a plated dinner by award-winning Encore Catering by Ovations for an additional $25 each, all inclusive. Dinners are available for purchase in advance for floor seats only and guests will be served promptly at 6PM. Special VIP tables are also available for purchase. Four (4) tables in the second row are $1,200 each and include eight (8) tickets to the concert and eight (8) plated dinners. VIP tables are available for purchase at the Roanoke Civic Center Ticket Office ONLY. Call 540.853.5373 for more information or to purchase your VIP experience. - Roanoke Civic Center, Williamson Road, Roanoke - 877-482-8496 - www.roanokeciviccenter.com
Sep 10 - Montana Skies In Concert - 7:30pm - A must see live concert experience: a duo with the full spectrum of an orchestra crossed with the energy of a rock band. Cello Guitar Fusion - Bedford Central Library, 321 North Bridge Street, Bedford - 540-586-8911 - www.friendsofbedfordlibrary.org
Sep 10 - Sep 12 - Peaks of Otter Lodge presents Demonstrations of Appalachian Culture - National Park Service Rangers and/or volunteers present demonstrations of the cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. Come by to visit and to talk. Demonstrations may include Appalachian doll-making, natural plant dyes, edible wild plants, and woodworking. Contact the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center for specific times and locations of the demonstrations. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - Free - 540-586-4496
Sep 11 - Sep 12 - An Apple A Day Open House At Peaks of Otter Winery - Noon to 5:00pm - Enjoy the benefits of eating and sampling our many varieties of apples and taste Fruit of the Farm wine. Johnny Appleseed knew that "an apple a day would keep the doctor away”, long before medical science discovered that three apples a day helped with stomach, colon and other medical problems. Take your children to see the farm animals. - Peaks of Otter Winery, 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford - Free - 540-586-3707 - www.peaksofotterwinery.com
Sep 11 - Bedford Central Railroad Group - 10:00am - This group loves to discuss railroad history and most are also model train enthusiast. Whatever your interest in trains, you will enjoy being a part of this meeting. The public is invited, parking is available and there is an elevator to the third floor. The meeting is held at the Museum, 201 East Main St. next door to the court house. Call Wally Post at 540 587 5850 for more info. - Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, 201 East Main Street, Bedford - 540-586-4520 - www.bedfordvamuseum.org
Sep 11 - Bedford Genealogy Fair - 9:00am to 3:00pm - Lectures throughout the day. Vendors, free census and internet genealogy look-ups, old photo scanning available, library surname tables and breakfast and lunch available for purchase. All events are open and free to the public. - Bedford Campus of Central Virginia Community College, 1633 Venture Blvd, Bedford - 540-466-4247 - www.bedfordgensociety.org
Sep 11 - Bedford Museum Genealogy and History Forum - 1:30pm - Kitty Buford Pendleton will be our guest. Kitty was part of the last Buford family to live in the historic Buford home "Locust Level". The home is on Rt. 460, in the curves just west of the fuel tanks at Montvale. Kitty will talk about her days living there, the history of the home and the condition now. She also has a great desire to see the cemetery restored and will tell of the large stone brought from the Peaks of Otter to the cemetery. The meeting is open to the public. There is parking available and an elevator to the third floor. Call Doug Cooper at 540 586 4520 for more info. - Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, 201 East Main Street, Bedford - www.bedfordvamuseum.org
Sep 11 - Demonstrations of the natural and cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachians - National Park Service Rangers and/or volunteers present demonstrations of the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. Contact the James River Visitor Center for specific times and topics of demonstrations. - James River Visitor Center, Milepost 63.6, Blue Ridge Parkway - Free - 434-299-5496
Sep 11 - Generic Folk in Concert - Gross Orchard, 6817 Wheats Valley Road, Bedford - 540-874-4749
Sep 11 - Guided walks to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal lock - 3:00pm - Meet a National Park Service Ranger on the back porch of the James River Visitor Center for the short walk to the restored lock #7 on the south bank of the James River. You will get a brief history of the James River & Kanawha Canal system and an explanation of how canal locks work. - James River Visitor Center, Milepost 63.6, Blue Ridge Parkway - Free - 434-299-5496
Sep 11 - Peaks of Otter Lodge presents Kids Fishing at Abbott Lake Dam - 9:00am to 11:00am - Kids ages 3 to 14 are invited to participate in the weekly fishing program at the Abbott Lake dam. We provide bait and tackle, or you may bring your own pole for luck. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - 540-586-4496
Sep 11 - Peaks of Otter presents Raptors of the Peaks - 7:30pm - A guest speaker will give a talk on the raptors found in this area. Come learn more about what raptors you might see and where to locate them. (NO NIGHT HIKE AFTER THIS PROGRAM) - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - Free Admission - 540-586-4496
Sep 11 - Sep 12 - Salem Gun and Knife Traders Show - Saturday, September 17, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday, September 12, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Admission - $7.00, Children 12 & under free when accompanied by an adult - Salem Civic Center, Salem - 540-375-3004 - www.salemciviccenter.com
Sep 11 - Sedalia Country Fair - The event brings back memories of an old-time fair with agricultural displays, lots of animals, kids' activities, and fun for the whole family! Traditional highlights of the event are the Coon Mule Jump and the Food Competitions. Admission for adults is just $5, children 12 and under free! Enter your locally grown food item in this years Country Fair. It’s fun and a great way to get coverage of your product. - Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island - 434-299-5080 - www.sedaliacenter.org
Sep 11 - Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest presents Introducing the Poplar Forest Chestnut Rose - 1:00pm - Visitors will enjoy a lecture from a panel of experts about rose cultivation, Jefferson's use of roses in landscape design at Poplar Forest, and the beginning of landscape restoration. Speakers include Jane Baber White, Don Davis, Kay Moomaw and Jack Gary. Special guests will lead a discussion about the propagation and care of heritage roses. Following the panel, Jack Gary, director of archaeology and landscapes, will lead landscape tours of Poplar Forest. This summer, Poplar Forest archaeologists have begun the first steps toward investigation, and restoration, of the allee of paper mulberry trees and the ornamental beds and clumps that made up Jefferson’s unique landscape design at his retreat. The chestnut rose plants are propagated by Michael Kayes of Blue Ridge Boxwood, LLC, from the antique roses growing in the center of the boxwood turnaround in front of the house at Poplar Forest. Chestnut rose, also known as "Chinquapin Rose" and "Burr Rose" was brought to England, then America from China. Chestnuts roses are deep pink, very double blooms. The lightly fragrant flowers open from mossy-looking buds irregularly throughout the growing season and are followed by bristly, globular hips that resemble chestnut burrs. The roses have a late and long blooming period. Tickets to the event are $20.00. Admission includes access to the lecture, a guided landscape tour, light refreshments and a chestnut rose. Due to limited seating, reservations are highly recommended. Please call the Museum Shop at (434) 534-8120 to reserve your space. Refreshments provided by Montana Plains in Wyndhurst. - Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest - 434-525-1806 - www.poplarforest.org
Sep 12 - Grandparents Day at the National D-Day Memorial - 10:00am to 3:00pm - In honor of Grandparents Day, the National D-Day Memorial will admit grandparents who are visiting with their grandchildren for a special price of $7.00 with the tour or $5.00 without the tour. Grandchildren will be admitted at normal admission rates depending on age. All ages are encouraged to join the festivities. Special activities include a scavenger hunt, interactive programs, and tours. Join the Memorial as it links the generations for a fun exchange of history. - The National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford - 540-586-3329 - www.dday.org
Sep 17 - Sep 19 - Peaks of Otter Lodge presents Demonstrations of Appalachian Culture - National Park Service Rangers and/or volunteers present demonstrations of the cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. Come by to visit and to talk. Demonstrations may include Appalachian doll-making, natural plant dyes, edible wild plants, and woodworking. Contact the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center for specific times and locations of the demonstrations. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - Free - 540-586-4496
Sep 17 - Sep 19 - Roanoke Greek Festival - Enjoy Greek food, live music, traditional costumes and dancing, marketplace and children's events. Hours: Friday, September 17, 2010 11:00am to 10:00pm, Saturday, September 18, 2010 11:00am to 10:00pm, Sunday, September 19, 2010 Noon to 7:00pm Rain or Shine! - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Blvd, Roanoke - Free Admission - 540-851-6830 - www.roanokegreekfestival.com
Sep 18 - 20th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival and Show - A fun-filled opportunity to cruise the lake, display your boat, and chat with other antique boat enthusiasts. - Mariners Landing, 1217 Graves Harbor Trail, Huddleston - 540-296-0501 - www.woodenboats.net
Sep 18 - Sep 19 - An Apple A Day Open House At Peaks of Otter Winery - Noon to 5:00pm - Enjoy the benefits of eating and sampling our many varieties of apples and taste Fruit of the Farm wine. Johnny Appleseed knew that "an apple a day would keep the doctor away”, long before medical science discovered that three apples a day helped with stomach, colon and other medical problems. Take your children to see the farm animals. - Peaks of Otter Winery, 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford - Free - 540-586-3707 - www.peaksofotterwinery.com
Sep 18 - Booker T. Washington National Monument presents Harvest Time Festival - 10:00am to 4:00pm - Booker T. Washington National Monument, Route 122 South, Hardy - 540-721-2094 - www.nps.gov/bowa
Sep 18 - Demonstrations of the natural and cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachians - National Park Service Rangers and/or volunteers present demonstrations of the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. Contact the James River Visitor Center for specific times and topics of demonstrations. - James River Visitor Center, Milepost 63.6, Blue Ridge Parkway - 434-299-5496
Sep 18 - Guided walks to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal lock - 3:00pm - Meet a National Park Service Ranger on the back porch of the James River Visitor Center for the short walk to the restored lock #7 on the south bank of the James River. You will get a brief history of the James River & Kanawha Canal system and an explanation of how canal locks work. - James River Visitor Center, Milepost 63.6, Blue Ridge Parkway - free - 434-299-5496
Sep 18 - Hank Williams, Jr with Eric Church and Sunny Sweeney - 7:00pm - Roanoke Civic Center, Williamson Road, Roanoke - 540-853-5483 - www.roanokeciviccenter.com
Sep 18 - Sep 19 - Music and Art in the Mountains - A "Plein Air" Art event with artists setting up throughout the Peaks of Otter area to capture the unsurpassed beauty of nature and the ever changing effects of light. See artists work displayed under the canopy between Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. Saturday evening at the Amphitheater Celtic Music - Riddle on the Harp. 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Sunday Dulcimer workshop with Phyllis Gaskins, instruments provided and instrument demonstrations with Jim Jones at Abbott Lake from 11:00am to 4:00pm. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - 540-586-4496
Sep 18 - Otter Creek Campground Campfire Circle presents Remember the Titans - 7:00pm - Remember the Titans: The American chestnut tree meant survival for not only the earliest settlers of the Southern Appalachians, but also for native people and wildlife. National Park Service Ranger Mark Mullinax presents the American chestnut—its uses, its importance to people and animals, and finally its demise. Following each Saturday evening program, weather permitting, join a National Park Service Ranger for an hour of nighttime exploration. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. - Otter Creek Campground, Milepost 61, Blue Ridge Parkway - 434-299-5496
Sep 18 - Peaks of Otter Lodge presents Kids Fishing at Abbott Lake Dam - 9:00am to 11:00am - Kids ages 3 to 14 are invited to participate in the weekly fishing program at the Abbott Lake dam. We provide bait and tackle, or you may bring your own pole for luck. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - 540-586-4496
Sep 18 - Nov 13 - The Maize at Layman Family Farms - At Layman Family Farms, we specialize in making memories. We've been providing a fun, exciting experience suitable for all ages since we started in the Fall of 2004. So come on out, take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, and get lost in our Maze! Each year we design a great maze for lots "agritainment" fun! Hours of Operation: Friday 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday 11:00am to 6:00pm. General Admission: Adults 18 & up $10.00, Ages 10-17 $9.00, Ages 2-9 $8.00, Under 24 months Free. For group rates and information call 540-966-3056 - Layman Family Farms, 1815 Mountain View Church Road, Montvale - 540-966-3056 - www.laymanfamilyfarms.com
Sep 21 - Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family - 7:30pm - starring Tyler Perry - Roanoke Civic Center, Williamson Road, Roanoke - 540-853-5483 - www.roanokeciviccenter.com
Sep 24 - Old City Cemetery presents Monarch Tagging - 4:30pm - Participants will learn to identify and tag monarch butterflies as they begin their migratory season. All ages. Meet at Butterfly Garden. - Old City Cemetery, 401 Taylor Street, Fourth & Taylor Streets, Lynchburg - Free - 434-847-1465 - www.gravegarden.org
Sep 24 - Sep 26 - Peaks of Otter Lodge presents Demonstrations of Appalachian Culture - National Park Service Rangers and/or volunteers present demonstrations of the cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. Come by to visit and to talk. Demonstrations may include Appalachian doll-making, natural plant dyes, edible wild plants, and woodworking. Contact the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center for specific times and locations of the demonstrations. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - 540-586-4496
Sep 25 - Sep 26 - 22nd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival - Saturday 11:00am to 6:00pm, Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm - 28 Virginia wineries participating offering their finest vintages, 85+ quality and craft vendors plus live entertainment. Taster Tickets$18.00 in advance, $22.00 at the gate. Designated Driver Tickets $12.00 - Lake Watch Plantation, 14374 Booker T Washington Highway, Moneta - 540-721-1203 - www.visitsmithmountainlake.com
Sep 25 - Sep 26 - An Apple A Day Open House At Peaks of Otter Winery - Noon to 5:00pm - Enjoy the benefits of eating and sampling our many varieties of apples and taste Fruit of the Farm wine. Johnny Appleseed knew that "an apple a day would keep the doctor away”, long before medical science discovered that three apples a day helped with stomach, colon and other medical problems. Take your children to see the farm animals. - Peaks of Otter Winery, 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford - Free - 540-586-3707 - www.peaksofotterwinery.com
Sep 25 - Bedford Centerfest - There will be arts, handmade crafts and jewelry from both local and national artisans, antiques, clubs and organizations, a local talent show, plenty to do for the children including rides and amusements, tons of food and cold drinks, a car and motorcycle show, and much, much more! There will be live music and adult refreshments in the Bedford Farmers' Market area starting at 7pm and going until 11pm. There is plenty of parking for all. Come one, Come All ! Come out and visit Bedford, and its' new Arts & Antiques District! - Centertown Bedford - 540-586-2148 - www.centertownbedford.com
Sep 25 - Demonstrations of the natural and cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachians - National Park Service Rangers and/or volunteers present demonstrations of the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. Contact the James River Visitor Center for specific times and topics of demonstrations. - James River Visitor Center, Milepost 63.6, Blue Ridge Parkway - 434-299-5496
Sep 25 - Guided walks to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal lock - 3:00pm - Meet a National Park Service Ranger on the back porch of the James River Visitor Center for the short walk to the restored lock #7 on the south bank of the James River. You will get a brief history of the James River & Kanawha Canal system and an explanation of how canal locks work. - James River Visitor Center, Milepost 63.6, Blue Ridge Parkway - Free - 434-299-5496
Sep 25 - Jefferson's Poplar Forest presents Smithsonian Museum Day - 10:00am to 4:00pm - Free admission with Smithsonian Museum Day Card. Hand-on-History open. Hearth-cooking demonstrations in the kitchen. - Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest - 434-525-1806 - www.poplarforest.org
Sep 25 - Otter Creek Campground Campfire Circle presents Where are the Critters? - 7:00pm - Nighttime may be your best opportunity to view some of the native mammals of the Parkway. Join Park Ranger Charles Wray to examine the habitats and adaptations of some of the Parkway’s nighttime denizens. Find out what lurks about while you sleep! - Otter Creek Campground, Milepost 61, Blue Ridge Parkway - Free and open to the public - 434-299-5496
Sep 25 - Peaks of Otter Lodge presents Kids Fishing at Abbott Lake Dam - 9:00am to 11:00am - Kids ages 3 to 14 are invited to participate in the weekly fishing program at the Abbott Lake dam. We provide bait and tackle, or you may bring your own pole for luck. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - Free - 540-586-4496
Sep 25 - Peaks of Otter presents Blue Mountains White Lightning - 7:30pm - Join Park Ranger Greg Baltad as he leads you through the colorful history of how “Korn Likker” was made and distilled in the Blue Ridge mountains. Following each Saturday program, join a National Park Service Ranger for an evening of nighttime exploration. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford - Free Admission - 540-586-4496
Sep 25 - Smith Mountain Lake State Park presents Big Lick Triathlon - 9:00am - Presented by www.setupevents.com - Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston - 540-297-5998 - www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml
Sep 26 - Sep 27 - Fall Home Show - For your home, garden and life. Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sunday, September 26, 11:00 – 5:00 pm, Admission $3.00 - Salem Civic Center, Salem - 540-375-3004 - www.salemciviccenter.com
© 2007 Bedford Tourism and Welcome Center
816 Burks Hill Road | Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: 540-587-5681 | 1-877-447-3257 | Fax: 540-587-5983
Photos used on the website are courtesy of Lynn Kirby, AxisCreativeNet,
Don Hall Photography, and Gar Brandt Photography. All Rights Reserved.
