Start of the 2018 Festival Season!
April ushers in warmer weather and the spring/summer festival season in the NRV. Here's a taste of some can't miss community opportunities. To learn about more events in the area, check out www.nextthreedays.com
APRIL 2018
April 14, 2018
The Rotary Club of Blacksburg is presenting our Signature Chocolate Event to enable us to continue to support our local and international needs while providing a valuable service to our community.
April 14, 2018 12:00-6:00pm
The New River Brewfest is an outdoor beer festival that showcases handcrafted beer and cider that is distributed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Join us for live music with Eric Gress and The Antecedents, food trucks, craft beer and cider, cornhole, tug-of-war and all the fun you can have with your friends on a spring day in April overlooking the New River in Radford, VA.
Entertainment Schedule:
• 12:00 pm: Live DJ
• 2:00 pm: Eric Gress
• 4:00 pm: The Antecedents
• 6:00-10:00 pm: Marie Anderson (After Party)
General Admission tickets are $27.50 in advance and includes six pints of your favorite beer or cider, a 2018 New River Brewfest souvenir glass and all the entertainment.
General Admission & After Party tickets are $37.50 in advance and includes all the benefits of the General Admission tickets and a barbecue dinner and after party after the regular event. In addition, attendees will enjoy special beer tastings from the sponsor and live music from Marie Anderson until 10:00 pm.
April 14, 2018 11:00am - 5:00 pm
Enjoy Native American music, dancing featuring the Aztec Dancers, vendors, storytelling and demonstrations along the banks of the beautiful New River in Radford, Virginia!
The Grand Entry starting at noon will be a procession of many tribal affiliations, head dancers, elders and children. Master of Ceremonies Lowery Begay will direct the activities in the arena and will explain the symbolism, protocol and spiritual meanings of the dances, regalia and drums to the spectators.
The Host Drum is Warrior Path. All dancers and drums welcome! There is also a $250.00 Luck of the Draw for dancers in full Regalia.
The event is rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the festival.
$5.00 adults, veterans and youth $3.
April 21, 2018 1:00-6:00
There will be fantastic award-winning Virginia wineries sampling some of the greatest vino in the Commonwealth, wine pairings and cooking demos throughout the day, handmade creations by local artists, culinary delights, and live music.
Premium tickets will be available once again this year, allowing attendees to enjoy food and wine tastings one hour before the gates opened to the public (Noon-1pm), a special wine tasting seminar, and access to the premium ticket tent during the festival.
April 22, 2018 12:00-4:00
The objective of International Street Fair is to promote cultural exchange through showcasing the diverse global representation on campus; international and cultural student groups celebrate and share their traditions and heritage as a way to foster meaningful interactions throughout the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg community. The annual event takes place in the entire Squires Parking lot on College Avenue near Squires Student Center, where thousands of people attend and participate - there is even a stage for performances!
April 28, 2018 11:00am-7:00pm
Over 25 Food Trucks! Live Music! Radford Noon Rodeo 'Duck Drop'! Radford City Schools 'Cowpie Bingo'! RU Athletics 'Highlander 1/2 Marathon' Bring a Blanket, Bring a Chair, Bring a Friend, Bring a Dog! Free Admission!
April 26, May 31, June 28, July 25, & August 30
5:30-8:00 pm
Up on The Roof is Blacksburg Premier Creative Professional's mixer. We meet on the last Thursday of every month (April through Sept) on the rooftop of the Kent Square parking lot from 5:30-8pm - it is a happy hour networking social. The event was originally designed to bring fun locals, grad students and professionals together for the purposes of socializing and enjoying our downtown venues. Food (happy hour samples), beer and vodka mixers are available with a $5 or $10 donation! Reusable cups are $1. Blacksburg is a great place to be! Downtown Events Inc., the non-profit that produces of Up on the Roof, is first and foremost a social organization with a mission to connect newcomers, locals and creative professionals in Blacksburg. Come and join us! Be Local. Be Social. More information
MAY 2018
May 12, 2018 7:30 lessons, 8:30 open dance
Come dance at Sapphire's Black & White Ball! Dress your best, keep it Black and White, and you are sure to have have a Ball this weekend as we gussy up the studio, glide to favorite dance tunes, and dance the night away.
We'll be featuring Viennese Waltz in the pre-dance lesson - starting simple, but ending flashy enough for a lavish, Truman Capote party.
Everyone is welcome, beginner or experienced, single or couple, local or visitors.
And, if interested you can volunteer to bring a dish to share to feed the dancers and for a chance to win prizes. For more information, visit: http://www.sapphiredance.com/bring-a-dish.php.
May 25-27, 2018 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Each year crowds gather in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Floyd, Virginia to celebrate the coming of summer with some of the biggest bands in bluegrass and mountain music. Additional activities throughout the weekend include RV and tent camping, beer & wine garden, arts & crafts vendors, children’s activities, opportunities for jamming, hiking & biking trails, corn-hole tournament, midnight campfire jams, kite flying and so much more!
We've added a full third day of bluegrass on Sunday this year. Many who attended last year responded well to our limited Sunday music and requested a full day of bluegrass so that's what we did!
Note: BBQ is available from vendors inside the festival and is not included in the ticket price.
All performances are rain or shine.
Advance Tickets:
• Advance Weekend Pass: $90.00
• Advance Friday Only: $35.00
• Advance Saturday Only: $35.00
• Advance Sunday Only: $30.00
At the Gate:
• Weekend Pass: $100.00
• Friday Only: $40.00
• Saturday Only: $40.00
• Sunday Only: $35.00
Kids 12 & Under: Free with Paying Adult
Parking: $3.00
JUNE 2018
June 16 1pm-11pm
Fun filled free family activities will include the ever popular Alberti’s Fleas Circus, Water Wars, moon bounces, doggie costume contest and returning this year….Circus Stella- a traditional family circus which features performing rescued dogs and amazing human feats like trapeze, aerial silk, rope-walking, and acrobatics. Also includes 100s of craft and food vendors and three stages of live performances by singers and dance troupes.
Continuing June through July
Includes free Friday nights outdoor concerts, live theater events, and classic movies.
Lavender Festival June 23, 2018 12:00 - 6:00 PM
It is our 10th Annual Lavender Festival at Beliveau Estate! Join us for this fragrant and beautiful event that attracts guests from across the state. We will have live music, lavender inspired food, wine tastings, craft vendors, lavender products for sale, lavender talks and more! This year we are expanding to a TWO DAY FESTIVAL! Wine Tastings will be available as well as wine by the glass or bottle. For those attending on Saturday, save your wrist band for free entry on Sunday. IDs are required for all those who want to purchase or taste wine. No outside alcohol is allowed on the property and will be strictly enforced. Coolers will be checked upon arrival. Adults Ages 17 & Older: $5.00 Kids 16 & Under: Free
July 21, 2018 9:00-2:00
Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. is proud to present Art at the Market, Blacksburg’s celebration of fine art and artists.
The 2018 event takes place on Saturday, July 21st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Media Building Lawn on Draper Road, across from Market Square Park.
In a sidewalk exposition of unique works you’ll find abstract acrylics, collage, flowers, gourds, still life, photography, and even stone sculpture. The show begins at 9 am and will be juried at 10 am.
Art at the Market will be held in conjunction with the annual Breakfast, a family event featuring wonderful locally grown food, live music and the best produce the farmers have to offer! Make it a family affair and take in some art along with your breakfast. Catering by Champs Catering
Continuing June through July
Includes free Friday nights outdoor concerts, live theater events, and classic movies.
August 3&4 2018
Each year on the first Friday and Saturday of August, more than 200 artists and craftspeople from around the country converge on Blacksburg to set up booths and sell their handcrafted items, including jewelry, pottery, textiles, metalwork, basketry, stained and fused glass, yard art, fine art, furniture, toys, and even artisan foods.
Among the highlights of this lively street festival is the much-anticipated sidewalk clearance sale held by the merchants of downtown Blacksburg.
To top off the festivities, there’s a variety of live music and entertainment, and the downtown restaurants offer up all the favorite festival foods.
Sixth Annual Alexander Black Tie Gala: "Black Tie & Boots" August 25, 2018 6:30 - 11:00 PM
Join the Blacksburg Museum & Cultural Foundation for an elegant evening of dining and dancing at one of downtown Blacksburg's premier events. This year's theme will be "Black Tie & Boots" featuring an upscale country-themed menu prepared by Center Stage Catering. Back by popular demand, local band 3-Minute Lovin' will perform popular hits including a few classic country tunes! The evening will also include a champagne reception, silent auction, Mint Julep bar, complimentary hors d'oeurves, plus dinner and dancing on the beautiful grounds of the Alexander Black House. Tickets are $95.00 per person. If you are coming with a group of friends, consider sponsoring a table for $850.00 and receive eight tickets at one reserved table, plus two bottles of wine. Proceeds from the event will support the ongoing restoration of the Alexander Black House & Cultural Center.