the 469-mile All American Scenic Byway began September 11, 1935, at Cumberland Knob, near the North Carolina and Virginia border. A celebration of this special American treasure and its importance as a cultural, historical, and natural resource includes events and activities throughout the year in communities that line the Parkway.A list of events, which may be searched by community or region or by month, is on line at www.blueridgeparkway75.org and is updated regularly. To date, over 400 events have been identified as part of the year-long celebration. A sampling of some of the events and festivities includes the following:
- FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Viewshed Planting (North of Roanoke, VA, at Milepost 104.9) – March 20, 2010. A bi-annual planting of 500 to 600 seedlings along the Parkway designed to help protect scenic vistas. www.blueridgefriends.org
- The Blue Ridge Bike Fest (Roanoke, VA, near Milepost 120) – April 9-April 11, 2010. An all-makes motorcycles expo, show, and festival with music, stunt demonstrations, and access to rides on the Parkway. www.blueridgebikefest.com
- Opening Juried Art Exhibit “Memories: The Blue Ridge Parkway in Retrospect” (Galax, VA, near Milepost 215) – In conjunction with the opening of the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, this exhibit will run April 16-June 14. www.chestnutcreekarts.org
- Virginia Fly Fishing Festival (Waynesboro, VA, near Milepost 0) – April 17 and 18, 2010. For novice and experienced fly anglers, the event offers instruction, Virginia wine tastings, and a focus on conservation education and natural resources stewardship. www.vaflyfishingfestival.org
- 55th Annual Vinton Dogwood Festival (Vinton, VA, near Milepost 112) – April 21-25, 2010. Festival features a parade, antique car show, craft show, children's area, carnival, distance run, and multiple entertainment stages. www.vintondogwoodfestival.org
- Blue Ridge Marathon (Roanoke, VA, near Milepost 120) – April 24, 2010. An inaugural marathon – one of the most difficult and beautiful marathons on the east coast - will begin at the Taubman Museum of Art and end at The Hotel Roanoke. www.blueridgemarathon.com
- Spring on the Blue Ridge Parkway Art Exhibit (Floyd, VA, near Milepost 165) – May 1-May 31, 2010. A month-long, multi-media exhibit at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts. www.jacksonvillecenter.org
- “More Than a Mountain: Celebrating the Land and Community of the Peaks of Otter” (Bedford, VA, near Milepost 86) – May 29-July 9, 2010. A community-wide juried art exhibition commemorating the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary with various art – painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, glass, and mixed media. www.visitbedford.com
- Blue Ridge Bliss Cycling Tour (Rockbridge County, VA, near Milepost 46) – June 5-June 11, 2010. Offered by Adventure Cycling Association, a guided bike tour. Fees are required. www.adventurecycling.org/tours
- KIVA Celebrates the Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke, VA, near Milepost 121) – June 19, 2010. Hosted by Kids in the Valley, Adventuring!, a special kids’ hike with a picnic on Roanoke Mountain. www.kidsadventuring.org
- Chateau Morrisette Wine and Music Festival (Floyd, VA, near Milepost 165) – July 7, August 14, and October 10, 2010. www.thedogs.com
- Galax Moose Lodge Old Fiddler’s Convention (Galax, VA, near Milepost 215) – August 8-August 14, 2010. This fiddler’s convention turns 75 years old in 2010, too! www.oldfiddlersconvention.com
- Imagining the Blue Ridge Parkway for the 21st Century (Roanoke, VA, near Milepost 120) October 14-October 16, 2010, at The Hotel Roanoke. The second in a two-part symposium, this conference’s focus will be Sustaining Communities, Environments and Economies. www.blueridgeparkway.org
Besides event information and historical resources about the Blue Ridge Parkway, www.blueridgeparkway75.org also offers commemorative items in its on-line store. The new 2010 Blue Ridge Parkway Directory is available at Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers along the road as well as through the Blue Ridge Parkway Association at www.blueridgeparkway.org.
Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. is the non-profit organization designated by the National Park Service to lead the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary celebration. With representation from all of the Parkway’s partner groups, the states of North Carolina and Virginia, and community leaders along the 469-mile scenic route, Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc.’s mission is to engage local communities and all visitors in an anniversary that focuses attention on a sustainable and healthy Parkway for future generations. For more information, visit www.blueridgeparkway75.org
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