The region offers a multitude of Annual Events — Click here for a complete list of events and exhibits.
The Strawberry Festival is a family event with live entertainment, arts and crafts, games and activities for children as well as the most delicious strawberry treats you will ever taste. The Festival is not only one of Roanoke's most popular and well-known festivals but its a family event with live The Strawberry Festival is held each year in Elmwood Park simultaneously with the Virginia State Chili Cook-Off. These two events draw an estimated 55,000 people to Roanoke's market area. For more information — 540-563-5036 or www.communityschool.net
An annual celebration at the end of May including visual and performing arts, juried fine arts/crafts show and wearable art show, children's activities, day and evening concerts. Celebrating over 30 years. An event for all ages! www.eventzone.org
The Salem Fair is America's largest free gate fair. Held annually over July 4 this annual event on the grounds of the Salem Civic Center draws in excess of 300,000 patrons each year to ride the carnival rides (usually over 35), enjoy the shows including petting zoo and racing pigs, sample the foods and view the creative arts exhibits. The fair opens the Thursday before July 4 through the second Sunday over 2 weekends. For more information call (540) 375-4013 or log on to www.salemfair.com.
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is held each year at Ferrum College the fourth Saturday in October. It is a one-day celebration of regional folkways, and visitors delights in an unmatched presentation of old-time crafts, music, foods, customs and early competitions. Since its start in the early 1970's the festival has become Virginia's largest showcase of regional traditions. (540) 365-4416 or http://www.blueridgeinstitute.org/festivals.htm
Dickens of a Christmas spans the first three consecutive Friday nights in December - highlights include a tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas parade and a Pet Costume Contest. Dickens is fun for the whole family with horse drawn carriage rides, carolers in the streets, a myriad of street performances, re-enactors dressed in costume, ice sculpture demonstration, music and dance, vendors selling their wares, a special 'kids zone area' and much more. (540) 342-2028 or www.downtownroanoke.org
