The jack-o-lanterns are sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up and the aisles in the grocery store are stocked with boxes of stuffing and baking essentials.  That can only mean one thing, boys and girls; the holiday season is upon us.

The season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is my absolute favorite part of the year and this year is no exception.  There are so many things to do in Southwest Virginia this time of year and after looking at the laundry list of regional activities, I think I’m ready to make my suggestion.

The Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, VA is offering A Wolfhart Haus Christmas…Christmas in New York, which opened last week and runs until December 31.  This show features a holiday song and dance revue.  A delightful mix of traditional and contemporary music makes this show a favorite for the whole family!  Since it is a dinner theatre, it is affordable, offering a holiday themed dinner.

 My next suggestion is a personal favorite.  I highly suggest WMKS: Christmas 1942 at the Barter Theatre. Radio Station WMKS: Where Music Kills Sorrow is back on the air for another Christmas season, offering a mix of traditional Christmas music, old-time and patriotic tunes in a regional WWII era tale. It’s worth the drive to Abingdon, be sure not to miss it!

 Whatever your plans for the holiday season, keep in mind that these are only two of the many, many choices you have in Southwest Virginia.  Be sure to check out our regional events calendar for more ideas!

Let me tell you…I love fall.  No. scratch that.  I LOVE fall!  It gets cold, you can have bonfires and there are multiple festivals throughout the region to indulge in.  Last week, I went to the 57th Annual Chilhowie Apple Festival.  It was amazing! We did the whole parade thing and then got rained-no-poured on at the Annual Band Competition.  Hopefully, we’ll have better luck with the festivals going on this coming weekend.

This weekend marks an exciting time for Radford University.  Originally Homecoming weekend, this weekend is Welcome Back Reunion Festival, Radford Highlanders Festival and Family Weekend all rolled into one…and don’t forget the Annual Appalachian Folk Arts Festival! 

At the Highlanders Festival, you can sample Scottish food items, meet the clans, watch the traditional Scottish Highlander Games, see sheepherding demonstrations, meet a falconer, hear great music and pick up a variety of Scottish and Irish wares from any number of vendors.  It’s a great time!  I suggest getting there in time to watch the march of the clans. That’s when all clans parade in their respective tartans and it is Awesome!  The McIntyre’s are the honored clan of the year for the festival, so be sure to say hey! The festival runs from 10-5, so there’s plenty of Saturday to take that in.

On the opposite side of campus, there is the Appalachian Folk Arts Festival, now in its 26th year.  Folks that go to that festival will have the opportunity to not only buy handmade items from crafters, but actually watch the crafters demonstrate their abilities.  There’s pencil artist Willard Gayheart, apple butter, carvers, quilters, blacksmithers, bee keepers and more.  If you want to see a cultural progression– how we can come from the Scottish and be proud Appalachians, then you should definitely check out both festivals.  You can even compare musical stylings and listen to the evolution of Scottish Highland music to Bluegrass and Old Time music. Do NOT miss this opportunity! It runs from 10-5 also.

 Think you’re all festivaled out? Not quite.  My last suggestion to you is to go to the Williams  Orchard in Rural Retreat.  Pick Your Own Pumpkin starts this week.  Not only do they have pumpkins, but a lot of other awesome produce and fun for the entire family.  They’ll be around all weekend, so if you’re coming from the south, you can drop by on your way home from the great weekend you’ve had in Radford! 

 Are there any festivals I’ve missed or should know about?  Let me know!

Shai Cullop

Let me tell you, last week I had the ability to truly traipse through Southwest Virginia and if you get the chance sometime soon, I fully suggest that you do so. 

I began my week in Radford, which is busy shaping up for fall.  Radford is a beautiful little town, home to Radford University.  If you make it to Radford any time of the year, make it this coming weekend.  October 3-4 is the Annual Highlander Festival– formally known as Homecoming Weekend and the Appalachian Events Committee’s 27th Annual Folk Arts Festival.  You can watch the Scottish games, get authentic scones and wear a kilt in public while petting a Highland Coo and seeing how far a man can sling a boulder.  What’s not to love?!  After you’re done being Scottish, you can swing over to the Appalachian Folk Arts Festival which is comprised of local artists who make and demonstrate their craft on site.  You can see everything from legendary pencil artist Willard Gayheart to Brad Smith’s carved Roosters andDanny Wingate’s leather working, all while listening to some of the best bluegrass and old time bands in the area.

After departing from Radford last week, I made a stop in Wytheville, which was charming as usual.  We  held a meeting at the Wytheville Community College.  They have an incredible facility there, not to mention they’re just down the road from Smokey’s BBQ.  I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time in Wytheville, but it is one of my frequent stomping grounds.  I believe they’ve recently painted the hot air balloon shaped water tower, so there’s something to look for next time your east bound and down.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to be at Natural Tunnel State Park at the Cove Ridge Center in Scott County.  This place is GORGEOUS!  If you just go to look at the views off the deck of the Cove Ridge Center, it’s well worth the drive!  The weather was beautiful and Natural Tunnel State Park is by far one of the prettiest places on the face of the earth.

Keeping in mind that I was traipsing and not being able to hold still, our next stop was in Bristol on the VA/TN line.  I love Bristol and always have, but one thing keeps me coming back: Stateline Bar and Grill’s fried pickles.  ‘Nuff said.

After a restful night at the Exit 7 Holiday Inn, we got to go to Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands.  I ahve always loved their King Center for the intricate brick carving in the foyer, but their new building is truly exquisite.  Animal carvings with a water feature down area river rock and views from the new library that would challenge the looks of Heaven.  I was certainly impressed and left breathless.

 Southwest Virginia is a great place to live and it’s trips like these that keep that a constant reminder in the back of my mind.  What’s your favorite Southwest Virginia spot?  Let me know and I’ll  be sure to check it out sometime.

 Shai Cullop

I recently found this extensive article on the Wytheville Enterprise website discussing the different approaches that have been considered in order to improve traffic flow on Interstate 81.  The current idea that is being floated is improving the existing railway system to allow for faster railway shipping through the state and move tractor trailers off of the road.

While the surrounding localities are on board for the project, Smyth County supervisors are taking “a wait-and-see position.”  I initially took interest in the article because I am a student at Virginia Tech and frequently find myself driving on I-81 in order to go home.  I was surprised to find out that the debate for how to improve I-81 has been going on for about the past 15 years.  I know that I-81 is miserable during rush hours when all of the nearby colleges let out for break, but I hadn’t realized that traffic had tripled on it over 20 years.

Initially, two separate plans to build more lanes onto I-81, as well as adding toll lanes were being considered.  One of the plans was chosen, but the company was broken up later on and the deal fell through.  I am glad it did, because I absolutely hate dealing with toll lanes on long road trips.  Long road trips are expensive enough as it is with the cost of gasoline.

Through a combination of the road plan falling through, economic causes, and environmental causes, the railway plan gained momentum and moved to the top of the list.  The article came off as very positive for the steel interstate, and had few negative points to discuss.  I can’t say I’ve ever really noticed the beauty of I-81, but I usually spend most of my driving time watching for traffic and cops.

I am all for less tractor trailer traffic on I-81, and would also welcome a more efficient way to transport freight.  The upgrade would also apply to other states that the railway runs through.  Not only would an improved railway lead to less traffic, but it could also have a positive effect on the environment as well.

Jonathan VanDerveer

Are you in Southwest Virginia?  Do you look for things to do, or are you one of those who want to come to the area and are afraid of the lack of things to do?  Well, fret not. It really depends on where you are in the area and where your interests lie, but regardless of that, there are many things to do!   

For example, if you’re in Floyd County, a good Friday night can mean going to the Blue Ridge Diner (I highly recommend their black bottom pie) and then going to the Floyd Country Store for live music and dancing.  Often there is not only music going on inside the store, but outside on the porch and around the corner as well.  If you’re looking for other music venues, try The Rex Theatre in Galax, the Bristol Country Music Alliance’s Pickin’ Porch in Bristol or the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol in the Fall which is a phenomenally huge traditional music festival! 

Music abounds in the mountains and can be found anywhere from a square dance in Grayson County to a fire department Friday night jam in Smyth County to anywhere along The Crooked Road.

In the area, we are blessed to have a plethora of natural wonders just waiting to be explored.  From Tazewell County’s Burkes Garden, which is known as “God’s Thumbprint,” to the Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail or Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, there are many things to do and see.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking and biking opportunities offer you the best views for miles around.  It has been rumored that on a clear day, one can see Detroit, Michigan from the summit at Mount Rogers, but you’ll have to look and see for yourself!

In the New River Valley (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford), you can enjoy a busier scene with shopping and dining options.  Also, you can benefit from having the colleges close by for quality entertainment whether it be concerts, plays, lecture series, etc… 

Going down I-81 gives you the option of dinner and a show at the Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, several wineries in the region such as Chateau Morissette and the Davis Valley Winery, performances at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, The Paramount and Theatre Bristol in Bristol and The Barter Theatre in Abingdon– the state theatre of Virginia.  There are many other cultural opportunities such as The Carter Fold in Hiltons and plenty of fine dining experiences to be had between The Martha Washington Inn, The Tavern and The Hardware Company, just to name a few. 

The area is also rich in consignment, second-hand and antique shops.  The areas of Floyd, Abingdon Bristol are particularly rich in these stores.  In the summer months you can attend the Virginia Highlands Arts and Crafts Festival in Abingdon which features a huge antiques market.

I could literally go on all day and suggest things that are not only great food and a good time such as The Dip Dog Stand in Marion, In the Country in Damascus, or Cuz’s Barbeque in Tazewell County, but I would be depriving you of your chance to explore on your own!

–Shai Cullop