Category — recreation in smith mountain lake

Keeping up with the tradition carried over from last summer’s success, The Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Inc. presents the Music in the Park event, taking place throughout the 2011 summer season.

Are you a fan of warm summer nights, live bluegrass music and delicious hot dogs, snacks and drinks? This is the perfect chance for you to come out and enjoy local live entertainment from talented bluegrass bands and the Old Dominion Cloggers at each event. Bring a picnic or buy ice cream, hot dogs and other treats whose proceeds help support and fund the Smith Mountain Lake State Park community facility.

When/Where: The fun takes place every 4th Saturday during the summer at 8 p.m. at the Beach Pavilion in Smith Mountain Lake’s State Park, located at SML State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA.

Fees are $5.00 per person and there is no parking fee. Children 12 and under are admitted for free.

The exciting lineup of bands is as follows:
July 23rd- Friday Night Band
August 27th- Wound Tight

Seating is limited, so bring your own lawn chairs or spread out a blanket and enjoy the beautiful weather, fine scenery, and family-friendly atmosphere that the Smith Mountain Lake area has to offer!

For more information, call (540) 297-6066.

While enjoying your summer at Smith Mountain Lake, don’t miss out on a blast from the past. Feel like you are taking a step back in time when you visit the Mayberry Drive-in & Diner. This is a great way for you to be a little nostalgic and let your children and grandchildren get a taste of yesteryears!

Make a day of it since there are things to do from morning till night. The doors open at 6:30am and don’t close until 10pm (11pm on weekends). So get there early to enjoy a delicious pancake and bacon breakfast in the 1950s-style diner. Go outside and play with the kids, even bring the family dog. Play soccer or kickball with family and friends, monkey around on the jungle gym, get faces painted and run with the dog.

In keeping with the nostalgic theme, amusement park rides that mimic the ones popular in the 1950s and 60s, like Jet Ride, Swing King, Scrambler and more were recently added. They are open from 11am – 7pm Wednesdays – Sundays. In between rides, you can grab a snack from the concession stand outside. Choose from pizza, soft pretzels, candy or popcorn to name a few.

When you get hungry for dinner, come back inside for some old-fashioned cheeseburgers and onion rings. But be sure to leave room for the pièce de resistance-DESSERT! Banana splits, milkshakes and even deep-fried moon pies are among the many delectable sweets offered at the Mayberry Drive-in & Diner.

Finally, as everyone is settling down and wanting to relax, get nestled on a cozy blanket, open the tailgate of your truck or grab some lawn chairs and enjoy the featured movie in front of the big theater screen. The movies start at dusk, are almost always first-run, and sometimes they even show more than one in a night.

For more information on how to experience this throw-back into the 1950s at the Mayberry Drive-in & Diner or for assistance in buying lakefront property, call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience in selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

The National D-Day Memorial located in Bedford, VA and near to Smith Mountain Lake offers its visitors an emotional and educational experience as they remember the events that took place on June 6, 1944. This summer, they are offering two unique opportunities to get your whole family involved in the rich history of the Bedford/Smith Mountain Lake area.

• The 2011 D-Day Memorial Family Day is “an opportunity to discover the lessons and legacy of World War II through interactive programs, tours and projects”. Throughout the day on Saturday, July 16th, 2011 there will be activities such as Victory garden projects, book-signings, models on display, and more, as well as many contests for family members to get involved with.
  

  Click image above for PDF of poster

  Contests/Attractions include:

  • More than 30 activity stations, all hands-on and family-friendly
  • Project Vintage Runway, taking place at noon on Saturday, July 16th-no registration fee is required but participants need to register with the Memorial by July 11th. Bring 40s attire in order to participate in the runway show: prizes will be provided to the winners. All ages are welcome.
  • D-Day Memorial Car Show-visitors can enter their cars in the show, but it is restricted to military vehicles and cars manufactured before 1950. Visitors vote on the winner, who will receive a People’s Choice Award.
  • A USO Idol singing competition, broken into two youth categories for ages 6-18 and one adult category
    (Performers must register by July 11th. There is a $10 entry fee and limited space available.)

  The event is sponsored by Woodmen of the World, Lodge 175 and the Kiwanis Club of Bedford. Regular fees apply for adults, but students under 18 are free.

  For more information contact April Cheek-Messier at (540) 586-3329 or at acheek@dday.org regarding any questions you have or to register for competitions. Also visit www.dday.org for more information or call (540)586-3329.

• In addition to the Family Day, there is also a D-Day Memorial WWII Day Camp called “Growing up in World War II” being held from Wednesday, July 27th through Friday, July 29th from 8:45am-1pm.

  The camp is open for registration for fourth through sixth grade students who will enjoy hands-on history activities, crafts, period games, and rationing-era snacks. A t-shirt and souvenir for all campers is included in the fees, and the children receive the opportunity to meet with living history veterans and re-enactors.

  Fees are $60.00 for the first child and $50.00 for each additional child, which include a t-shirt, craft and activity materials, daily snacks and instruction. Pre-registration is required and a $20.00 nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of registration.

  Take this opportunity to enrich the lives of your children by providing them with a glimpse of history!

  The camp is sponsored by the Bedford Elks Lodge #2844. Contact the Education Department of the National D-Day Memorial at (540) 586-3329 for more information or to register.

  Space is limited (only 35 participants) and you must pre-register, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to help give your child fuller understanding and greater appreciation of the sacrifices of those in military service during WWII and throughout history!

For more live musicians and entertainment as well as an opportunity to enjoy some great local wine, consider stopping by Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery located in the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake area on Saturdays this summer.

Each event will be held on Saturdays through September 3rd and will run from 7:00-10:00 pm.

The lineup of local musicians is as follows:

July 2nd: Kevin Marshall-a songwriter from Charlotte, NC who previously played in the Sutton Ain’t Right band. He is the cousin of local musician Scott Sutton.
July 16th: Square Peg-a jazz duo performing live
July 23rd: Kat Mills-an acoustic singer/songwriter based out of Blacksburg, VA
July 30th: Sparks Will Fly-A blues/rock/acoustic group based out of Roanoke, with Brittany Sparks on vocals, Billy McCray on guitar, and Scott Sutton on bass.
Hear some of their music at ReverbNation
September 3rd: Larry, Mike & Chip-a group of songwriters who will be performing as “songwriters in the round.”

The cost is $10 including glass and tasting. Kids & DDs get in free.

Bring lawn chairs and a picnic spread and sample Hickory Hill’s fine wines, available for purchase by the glass or bottle, all while enjoying live local musicians!

Offering fine wine and delicious gourmet cuisine, Chateau Morisette is the perfect place to spend your Sunday listening to free live music and enjoying grilled foods, soft drinks and wine available to be purchased beginning at noon. You can even bring your own picnic and just enjoy the atmosphere and free entertainment.

Chateau Morrisette holds these events every Sunday through October. On Sunday, June 26^th, the live music and entertainment begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00. They are located at:
287 Winery Road SW in Floyd, Virginia.

This Sunday’s entertainment is Crusher Run, who has been playing bluegrass, traditional folk country, and folk music since the fall of 2000. They describe themselves as a “Goodtime Band”. You can hear their music at http://www.myspace.com/crusherrun

Come out for free entertainment and purchase some food from the grill. Be sure to bring your own seating.

If you’d rather do something earlier in the morning, a Sunday Brunch Buffet is held every Sunday June-October from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

The buffet is $23.95 per adult and $12 for children under 12.

A limited a la carte menu is also available.

Take advantage of Chateau Morrisette’s special summer events!

For more information visit http://www.thedogs.com, email info@chateaumorrisette.com, or call (540) 593-2865

Every Friday this summer, Mariners Landing, located at 1217 Graves Harbor Trail in Huddleston, Virginia, is now hosting their “Finally Fridays” series. This series boasts live musical acts, delicious seafood cuisine with their signature Grand Seafood buffet available, and discounted overnight accommodations for those interested in staying for a little rest and relaxation at the resort.

Admission to the event is FREE each Friday.

On Friday, June 24, the Breeze Brothers are providing the musical entertainment.

The Breeze Brothers are set to play from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

For more information call (540) 297-4900

or visit http://www.marinerslanding.com

Looking for something exciting to do this weekend?

Beyond the Green Indoor Golf and Sportsbar is one of Smith Mountain Lake’s newest sports bars/entertainment venues, offering a fun and exciting atmosphere and enhancing the nightlife scene in downtown Moneta. Their facility boasts a full service bar, 8 flat screen TVs and 2 HD golf simulators allowing guests to play all the PGA courses from Moneta! Come in for delicious lunch, dinner and drinks and watch your favorite sports games live any time during the bar’s regular hours:

Mon 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tues-Thurs: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sun: 12:00 pm -11:00 pm

This weekend there will also be two live music acts performing:

Friday, June 24^th – Robotic Jive

Robotic Jive on Facebook

Saturday, June 25^th – Barefoot West

Barefoot West on Facebook

Music starts at 9pm. There will be no cover charge and the bar is open late, serving food and beverages until 1 am. Come out and join the fun with live music, drinks, great food and virtual golf at Smith Mountain Lake’s newest premier location for exciting music acts and entertainment!

Beyond the Green is located at:

1035 Mercantile St, Suite 100, Moneta

For more information call (540) 296-0871

Or visit them on Facebook:

Beyond the Green on Facebook

If Smith Mountain Lakers can tear themselves away from the lake long enough to check out the exciting upcoming Juneteenth Celebration at Booker T. Washington National Monument, it will be fun for the whole family! Not only is this a piece of history, but an educational event where the kids will be having so much fun, they won’t even realize how much they are learning!

Offered on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 1pm – 4pm, this is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate freedom. Booker T. Washington was born a slave, and after the Civil War, became an accomplished author, orator, and adviser. He was the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School, and has been called one of the most influential African-American men of his era. The history of his birthplace is what is offered here, and it is quite a far cry from the luxuries, technological advances, and conveniences that we enjoy and have grown to expect in our lives today.

The admission for this event is free, and offers even more than an insight into Washington’s past. There are so many things to participate in, such as taking a walk through the historic trails. There is an heirloom garden to see. You can learn about the differences between the gardening of today and the old techniques used by owners and slaves of long ago.

Don’t leave without seeing an old farm area with sheep, pigs, horses, other animals, and even a petting zoo. Learn which historic breeds would have been raised on farms when Washington was alive. Be sure to stop in at the visitor’s center where you can check out the audio and video presentations. After you and the family are all loaded up on the historical facts, there will be food for sale. You can grab a bite to eat and listen to the musical entertainment that will be playing for your enjoyment. Visit the website or call 540-721-2094.

For more information on Juneteenth Celebration at Booker T. Washington National Monument or assistance in buying lakefront property, call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a place where you can enjoy it all. From the water to the history, there is a little bit of everything within the park. You can do the traditional park-like activities, meaning hiking and fishing or you can try something new, like testing your wilderness skills or visiting an exhibit on the folklore of Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park was developed in 1967, after Appalachian Power dammed the Roanoke River in Smith Mountain Gap, near Huddleston. The company donated a parcel of land for the park and the State of Virginia bought the rest. In 1975, the construction began and, finally, in 1983 the park was officially open to visitors. Ever since then this place has been swarming with people taking advantage of all the various things to do.

During the heat of summer you will find many sunbathers and swimmers enjoying the park’s 500 foot beach. On any given evening you will smell the burning campfire, and maybe even hear some campfire tunes coming from the 50 primitive campsites or the 20 cabins. Can’t you just picture yourself jumping in for a refreshing swim? Maybe you’d feel more at home singing along by the campfire while roasting up a marshmallow.

Smith Mountain Lake Park is a great example of how enjoyable and varied the Smith Mountain Lake area is. This park reflects the natural beauty and the laid back atmosphere of the whole town.

Perhaps you would like to stick around and enjoy the park and the town all year long or maybe you just want to check it out a little more. Either way, you need some one to show you around town. Vicki Millehan is one of the area’s top real estate agents and she has chosen this lovely place to call home, so let her be your guide. Vicki will be more than happy to tell you all about what it is really like to live in Smith Mountain Lake and find you a great Virginia property here.