Category — Virginia
Enjoy Your Smith Mountain Lake summer with live music and entertainment at the Music in the Park event
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.
July 7, 2011 Comments Off
D-Day Memorial Family Day & Growing Up in World War II Day Camp
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.
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!
June 28, 2011 Comments Off
Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery’s Sunset Saturdays
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!
June 28, 2011 Comments Off
Golf at Smith Mountain Lake: Fore!!
Smith Mountain Lake has emerged as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most popular golfing destinations.Stunning wooded fairways and luscious greens along the water’s edge make for quite a game of golf!! The Water’s Edge course offers championship-caliber play while other courses in the area are great for beginners.
Offering private and public courses, there is something for all levels of play! The crowning jewel of our courses is The Water’s Edge! The course was designed by Robert F. Loving, Jr. and was featured in Golf Digest. The par-3 seventh hole is famous for being an island green surrounded by water! This is a private course.
For a semi-private course, you have to try Mariners Landing! This course is open to the public but also sells memberships. The Mariners Landing was designed by famous golf architect Robert Trent Jones. You can play along the water’s edge for several holes and take on the signature 156 yard, par-3 at the 5th hole! With a beautiful clubhouse and paved cart path, this is a beautiful course for a day of golf.
You can check out these and other courses here. If you want to find a beautiful place to play the ancient game of golf you do not have to travel far if you live in the Smith Mountain Lake area! From championship holes to beginner shots, you can find a course to challenge your golf skills! Come visit our greens, and if you like it, then move here! Whether it is buying a luxury home or one of the Nantucket style cottages, Vicki Millehan is the local real estate agent who can help. Check out the nearby winery for sale: the Savoy-Lee! When they say this region has a lot to offer, they really mean it!!
July 10, 2009 Comments Off
Celebrate Freedom in Bedford County!
It was 200 years ago this year that Jefferson retired from public office and first stayed at Poplar Forest. Construction of the home began in 1806, as Jefferson planned his retirement from politics. He was happy to be free of the weight of office and was quoted as saying, “Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power.” As he shook off the shackles, he made his way to Poplar Forest, where he personally designed an architectural masterpiece! Jefferson had a passion for architecture; Poplar Forest is said to be his most perfectly designed and executed work.
This beautiful estate was almost a lost National Treasure. After years of disrepair, the nonprofit Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest formed in1983. This group led the rescue of Jefferson’s endangered retreat. They were determined to save this historical home for the cultural and educational benefit of present and future generations.
Thanks to their efforts you can enjoy a living lesson in archeology and American history! There may not be a better place to spend the 4th of July if you are a history buff. The Poplar Forest is having a 4th of July celebration that will make you come alive with patriotism! The entrance fee is only $10 per vehicle so the whole family can pile in the car for a day of fun! The retreat will be open from 11am-4pm. What better way to celebrate your Independence Day than exploring the home of one of our greatest leaders? So come join in the Pursuit of Happiness celebration at Poplar Forest!
Why was Thomas Jefferson so in love with the area? Well in his own words; “In point of soil, climate…and good neighborhood, I think it the finest part of Virginia.” If you are looking for a good neighborhood to live in, I don’t think you could get a better reference than Thomas Jefferson! If you want to see what Bedford County has to offer call Vicki Millehan! Come visit for the 4th of July and if you like it, then move here!
June 30, 2009 Comments Off
Treat Dad on the Trail!!
Of course, the other wineries on the tour, including Savoy-Lee, Leo Grande, and White Rock Vineyards, offer a great afternoon of tasting in a picture postcard setting. If Dad has enough ties and golf balls, the Savoy-Lee is for sale and would make a great gift!
June 19, 2009 Comments Off
Keep Safety in Mind as the Weather Warms Up
The Smith Mountain Water Safety Council is providing a public water safety mini-course on April 6th at the
If you can not make the boating course then you should look into taking private courses on boating, fishing, hunting and swimming to get you and your family ready for a safe season. Enjoying the beauty of
If you want to find out more about life in
April 2, 2009 Comments Off