Category — smith mountain lake park

If you’re looking for family-friendly fun, Smith Mountain Lake is full of options this July!

Upcoming Events for Children and Families in the Lake Area Include:

• July 16th-Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest presents Special Talk for Children-2:00 p.m.

Bring your children out for a special gardening experience at Poplar Forest. Kids have a chance to find out what life was like for children in Jefferson’s time and what they could find in their garden. Master Gardener and history graduate of UVA Kris Lloyd, affiliated with the Hill City Garden Club and the Garden Club of Virginia, will be on hand to give families and children a look at what people of this era grew in their gardens and why, including for uses such as eating, for use for household chores, or for use as medicine. This is an opportunity like no other to learn about the little-known household uses of plants in Colonial Virginia. Light refreshments will be served, and the program is FREE with regular admission to Poplar Forest. Advance reservations are recommended, and reservations can be made by calling (434) 534-8120. The program takes place in Poplar Forest’s heirloom garden at 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest VA. For more information call (434) 525-1806 or visit www.poplarforest.org.

• July 23rd & July 30th-Peaks of Otter Kids Fishing at Abbot Lake-9:00-11:00 a.m.

Bring your kids aged 3-14 out to Abbot Lake to participate in the weekly Kids Fishing with a Ranger at Abbot Lake event. Bait and tackle are provided, or you may provide your own pole. Participants should meet the Ranger behind the Lodge next to the lake on the point at Peaks of Otter, Abbot Lake, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway, in Bedford, VA. Admission is FREE. For more information call (540) 586-4496.

• July 13th, July 27th & August 10th: Wednesdays-10:30-11:30 am-Little Rangers at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Head to the Discovery Center with your 4-6 year old child to introduce them to the wonders found in your own back yard! Little Rangers will learn about nature and use their imaginations to explore through hands-on activities and crafts. To participate, come to Smith Mountain Lake State Park at 1235 State Park Road in Huddleston, Virginia. Come early to pre-register, admission is FREE.

Get ready for a busy July with family and friends here at the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake area! There are always family oriented activities going on, making the lake a perfect place to buy a home and start a life.

Smith Mountain Lake offers spectacular views and sightseeing, and Virginia Dare Cruises are a wonderful way to get out and experience the atmosphere of the lake in a new and exciting fashion.

Virginia Dare Cruises and Marina (located at 3619 Airport Road in Moneta, Virginia) is offering unique specialty cruises this summer in order to celebrate Parents’ Day and to enable participants to learn more about the wildlife here at the lake.

On Sunday, July 24th from 2-4 pm you are invited to give mom and dad a special gift for Parents’ Day-send them on a cruise where they can relax and indulge in a catered lunch while enjoying the plentiful sights and scenery. Parents are welcome to bring their children along. Children 5-12 are ½ of full rate and children 4 & under are ¼ of full rate. All prices include a 2-hour cruise, a delicious meal, tax, service charges, coffee & tea. A minimum of 30 people per cruise is required to sail.

Wildlife Wednesdays is another specialty cruise offered by our friends at Virginia Dare. On the first Wednesday of the month (April-November) from 12:00-2:00 pm, you can again enjoy a 2 hour cruise and a meal while a Smith Mountain Lake State Park Ranger teaches you more about the wildlife here at the lake. The next Wildlife Wednesday event will be held on August 3rd.

The menu for Wildlife Wednesdays includes: an appetizer, herb roasted pork loin, roasted chicken in a balsamic crème sauce, seasoned green beans, French onion rice, bread/butter, dessert, and coffee/tea.

The cost is $42.00 for adults, and the group rate is $38.00 per adult. Group rates apply for 30 or more adults.

To learn more about these special events, visit the dining and menu section of VA Dare Cruises at http://vadarecruises.com/cruises/dining-menu/.

Take some time out of your hectic schedule to enjoy these opportunities to have a day of cruising on the lake, relaxing and spending time with friends and neighbors, and enjoying a delicious hot meal!

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.

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.