As crisp winter winds give way to the warmth of spring, Virginia's Blue Ridge is abloom with
boundless natural beauty, plenty of lively events and a host of farmers'
markets brimming with colorful flowers to usher in the new season.
Add a little spring to your step at the Blue Ridge Marathon on April 21 in downtown Roanoke. The challenging course, touted as "America's Toughest Road Marathon," lies amid the
stunning scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains
and includes 3,620 feet of total elevation gain and 7,234 feet of total
elevation change. The race starts and ends at the Taubman Museum of Art. For a
calmer pace, fly-high in family fun at the 14th
Annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival, April 21 at Green
Hill Park
in Salem. The free
event features professionally choreographed routines and kite flying tricks by the Richmond Air Force Kite Club. There will also be free kites other giveaways
for children, food, and arts and craft vendors.
Also in Salem,
sports fanatics can catch the action and maybe a ball or two as the Salem Red Sox kick off their 2012
season. The team officially opens on the road, but will return home on April 13
against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The opening homestand will feature a
three-game weekend series against the Pelicans followed by a three-game series
against the Red Sox's Highway 460 rival - the Lynchburg Hillcats. This year
marks the Red Sox's fourth year as a Boston Red Sox affiliate and 46th season
in the Carolina League.
If you look to bask in the vibrancy of the region's
welcoming blooms, start along the Blue
Ridge Parkway where you'll find such showy shrubs as Rhododendrons and Wild
Hydrangeas, and such colorful flowers Bluets and the Turks-Cap Lily highlight
the already picturesque landscape. Due to the lower elevation, bloom peaks
along the parkway in Virginia's Blue Ridge are typically earlier than more southern areas
of the parkway. Capture the natural charm of the parkway by camera as you hike
one of the numerous scenic trails or enjoy lunch amid the mountain views at one
of the many picnic areas along the way.
Continue in the revelry of nature at the Earth Day Celebration April 21 in Roanoke's historic Grandin Village.
The free event boasts an array of local farmers and gardeners who will be on
hand to share their knowledge and tips on everything from saving money to
promoting healthier lifestyles in the creation of community gardens and backyard
farms. Go for more green on April 28 as Virginia's
Historic Garden Week showcases a tour of South Roanoke
gardens and homes. Statewide, the annual affair invites visitors to an open
house of more than 250 of the state's most bountiful gardens, memorable homes
and historic landmarks at the peak of spring color. The Roanoke Valley's
event will include tours, a luncheon and an up-scale yard art and bulb sale.
The budding season also is rife with the start of
warm-weather festivals. The Town of Vinton
will host its 58th Annual
Vinton Dogwood Festival, April 25-29 in downtown at the Vinton War
Memorial. The free event boasts a five-day carnival and live entertainment.
Events on Saturday, April 28 include entertainment stages, a craft show, a distance
run, children's activities, antique car show, and annual parade at 2:30 p.m.
Sip notable Virginia
wines as you sway to sultry sounds April 28-Sept. 15 during the Wine Trail of Botetourt County's Summer
Concert Series. The series will open with a performance by the world famous,
award winning band The Seldom Scene at Daleville
Town Center,
and continue on Saturday evenings at various locations in Botetourt County,
including the county's three wineries.
If your taste buds crave something sweet, head to downtown Roanoke for the Community
School's Strawberry Festival, May
4-5 at Elmwood Park. Use what you save on
admission to the free event to splurge on delectable homemade strawberry
shortcake, strawberry sundaes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and much more.
There will also be arts and craft vendors, children's activities and live
entertainment. The two-day, family-oriented festival is one of the Valley's
most popular and well-known events, drawing approximately 30,000 visitors to
downtown Roanoke
annually.
For those who desire a more savory treat, the Virginia State Championship Chili Cook-off
Festival has you covered, May 5 at Railside Plaza
in downtown Roanoke.
Admission is $4 in advance, $5 at the gate, with children age 10 and under
free. The largest event of its kind in the state, the festival features local
and regional chili cook teams competing for the bragging rights and the top
spot to represent Virginia
at the World Championship Chili Cook-Off each year.
No matter your passion, relish the best of the season in Virginia's Blue Ridge. For more
information about warm-weather events in the Roanoke
Valley, visit our website and our
mobile website at www.visitroanokeva.com,
call (800) 635-5535 or stop by the Roanoke
Valley Visitor
Information Center
located at 101 Shenandoah Avenue
NE in downtown Roanoke, and open 9am - 5pm daily.