Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 9/11 to 9/18.

Lindsey Hull -
A view of downtown Roanoke's City Market Square as seen in September, 2024. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU. Have a "recognizably Roanoke" photo for Happenings? Email us at editor@roanokerambler.com for a chance to be featured in this space.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. Want to know when the next City Council meeting takes place? Curious about what there’s to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last minute changes or cancellations.

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Want to know about regular weekly events, including bar trivia, bingo and yoga? Check out our new recurring Happenings calendar!

Have a Happening? Does your business want to sponsor a newsletter? Reach out to us at news@roanokerambler.com with “Happening” in the subject line. Have fun!

This Weekend

  • Friday, 9/13 through Sunday, 9/15 — Final weekend: Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival (13561 Lee Highway, Buchanan). 120 handmade crafters and food vendors, over 700,000 sunflowers, farm animals, hay rides, photo booths, children’s activities. Cash and credit accepted at the door. Heavy rain cancels. Find more information, including a list of special activities, at this link. ($)
  • Friday, 9/13 through Sunday, 9/15 — PickleBRAWL in the Blue Ridge at James Moyer Sports Complex (1000 Union St., Salem). Slated to be the first sanctioned tournament in the Virginia Blue Ridge region, this tournament will offer Skill & Age Divisions in Men's and Women's Singles, Men's and Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Find more information at this link.
  • Friday, 9/13 through Sunday, 9/15 — Virginia’s Blue Ridge GoCross CycloCross Race at Fallon Park (2116 Dale Ave. SE, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.

Wednesday, September 11

  • 1 p.m. — Board of Zoning Appeals meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Sunflower Sunset Yoga presented by Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival (13561 Lee Highway, Buchanan). 120 handmade crafters and food vendors, over 700,000 sunflowers, farm animals, hay rides, photo booths, children’s activities. Cash and credit accepted at the door. Heavy rain cancels. Continues through September 15. Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Leonard Blush & the Camelcals at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 to 8 p.m. — Silent Book Club at South County Library (6303 Merriman Rd., Roanoke). Wouldn't it be great to have a book club where you could just enjoy books, friends, and drinks - without any homework? At Silent Book Club, there is no assigned reading. Visit this link for more information. 
  • 6 to 8 p.m. — Ultimate Frisbee Pick-up League presented by PLAY Roanoke at River’s Edge Park (302 Wiley Dr., Roanoke). Informal, fun, ultimate frisbee pick-up league. Continues weekly on Wednesdays through November 6, some dates excluded. Visit this link for details and to sign up for this low-cost series. ($)
  • 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Sunsquabi at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 9 p.m. — Open Mic Comedy Night at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Chris Lane at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). 21+ event. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Reggae Night hosted by The Ambassador at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Thursday, September 12

  • 5 p.m. — Architectural Review Board Committee meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Lecture: “Conducting the Neuro-Symphony in the Brain” with Dr. Michael Friedlander at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC (2 Riverside Cir, Roanoke). Dr. Friedlander is the executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and a global leader in neurobiology research. His research has examined how the timing of electrical signals in the brain impact plasticity, influencing its ability to adapt after injury. Find more information at this link.
  • 5 to 7 p.m. — Boots on the Ground: Fundraiser for SERCAP (347 Campbell Ave.,SW, Roanoke). Features live music from bluegrass trio The Brothers Young, adult beverages from Blindhouse Beer Company, caricatures, appetizers, and dancing. All proceeds benefit SERCAP’s programs and services for low-income rural communities in Virginia and throughout the Southeastern United States. This is the kick-off event for SERCAP’s annual fundraising campaign. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 5:30 p.m. — Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates meeting in the STEAM Lab at the Melrose Library (2502 Melrose Ave NW Suite D). For more information about the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates, visit this link.
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: GOTE at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 p.m. — Juggling Club presented by Jefferson Rose and the Star City Circus Society at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Pay-what-you-can to help maintain equipment and purchase new circus props. Props are provided, no experience necessary. All are welcome. Meets every Thursday.
  • 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community Night: Composting 101 presented by Carilion Clinic at Morningside Urban Farm (917 Morgan Ave. SE, Roanoke). Yoga and kids activities begin at 6 p.m., with the workshop to follow at 6:45. Community nights are free and open to all ages. Visit this link for more information and to RSVP.
  • 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Goat Yoga at Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival (13561 Lee Highway, Buchanan). Heavy rain cancels. Find more information and hold your spot at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Jared Stout Trio at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7 p.m. — Gaymer Night at Roanoke Diversity Center (425 Campbell Ave. SW., Roanoke). Hang out with other local young adults in the lounge, watch the latest music videos, play board games, chat and mingle. Bring your controllers and play your friends with our Nintendo Switch or Playstation, or start an RPG, card games and board games.
  • 7 to 8:30 p.m. — Storytelling: Let Me Tell Ya, a free installment of the Salem Museum Speaker Series, at the Salem Museum (801 E. Main St., Salem). Featuring an array of talented storytellers, this is sure to be an enchanting evening of tales and traditions – a hero’s journey through compelling narratives and heartfelt anecdotes, you might say. Find more information at this link.
  • 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to learn, Angela’s got the moves to get everyone out on the floor, so dust off your best western wear, round up your crew, and come on down for a boot-scootin’ good time. 
  • 7 to 11:30 p.m. — Stand-up comedy: Brad Wenzel presented by Taylored Comedy Productions at the Vinton War Memorial (814 E. Washington Ave., Vinton) to benefit Huddle Up Moms. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Stand-up comedy: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Festival at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke).  Featuring performances by L.A. Josh Preston and Taye the Truth. Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Phat Anchovies and Holy Roller at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Saul Brooks at Corned Beef & Co., Inc. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).  
  • 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Underground Springhouse at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 
  • 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Late Night Karaoke with DJ Marshall (AKA ParMar) at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Grab that mic and sing your heart out.

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Friday, September 13

  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Friday Float Day presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures at Wasena Park (806 Wasena Ave. SW, Roanoke). Book your Friday Float Day shuttle – it is the cheapest day to float. The RMA van will meet you at Wasena Park and shuttle you up to Bridge St. to launch your rental tubes for about a 2 hour float back to your car at Wasena Park. Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 5 p.m. — Live music: GoCross Welcome Party with music from legendary 90s cover band GAK! at Fallon Park (2116 Dale Ave. SE, Roanoke). Whether you're a seasoned rider or just getting into the sport, this event is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow cyclists. Enjoy music, food, and drinks while mingling with other riders and checking out the course. Please RSVP so we can plan for food. Find more information and RSVP at this link.
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — After Dark: A Haunted Museum Experience at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Featuring a live haunted history podcast, candlelight tours, a paranormal investigation, dessert and spirit tasting, and live music from The Band Paul. Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 5:30 p.m. — Live music: Empty Bottles as part of the Tavern Stage music series at Twin Creeks Brewpub at Explore Park (1 Old Salem Turnpike, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mad Iguanas at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 to 8 p.m. — Opening reception: Johnny Floyd “Child Be Free” exhibit at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Upper Smoyer Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibit explores our relationship with time and how we define ourselves within its bounds, delving into questions of purpose and identity, drawing inspiration from The Center for Studying Structures of Race’s project on naming unnamed enslaved individuals who contributed to Roanoke College's history. The exhibit will be open through December 8. Find more information at this link.
  • 6 to 8 p.m. — Opening reception: Sandy Williams IV “Freedom is Not a Metaphor” at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Olin Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the construction and contestation of memory, intertwining family portraits with discussions on public space, while challenging conventional narratives and encouraging dialogue on agency and historical injustices. Williams prompts us to confront our shared consciousness and envision a more inclusive and just society built upon a deeper understanding of our history and identity. The exhibit will be open through December 8. Find more information at this link.
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Liv Sloan at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7 p.m. — I.G.O.R.: Introvert Gatherings of Roanoke at Blue Ridge Indie Market (Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
  • 7 to 9 p.m. — Star City’s 80s Concert on the Lawn at Star City Rehab and Nursing (1047 Mecca St. NE, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
  • 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Symphony Under the Stars presented by David Stewart Wiley & Roanoke Symphony Orchestra at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Enjoy a free concert as the RSO kicks off their 72nd season.
  • 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Live music: Grease Fire at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). 
  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Stand-up comedy: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Festival at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Featuring performances by Travis Stevenson, Toron Rodgers, L.A. Josh Preston, Brandi Augustus, and Meredith Kerr. Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. to midnight — Fiesta Friday with Salsa Noke at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). Group dance lesson (8 to 9 p.m.) followed by a dance party (9 p.m. to midnight). 
  • 9 p.m. — Live music: 90s Party featuring GAK! and DJ $Bill at Corned Beef & Co., Inc. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).  
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Harvey Street at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Jake Bradley at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).

Saturday, September 14

  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Olde Salem Days presented by the Rotary Club of Salem along Main St., Salem. Over 300 regional artists and craftsmen will display their work during this annual tradition. Find more information at this link.
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Semiannual Used Book Sale at O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — 32nd Annual SML Antique & Classic Boat Show at Crazy Horse Marina (400 Crazy Horse Dr., Moneta). Cruise the lake, display your boat, and chat with other antique boat enthusiasts. Find more information at this link.
  • 1 p.m. — Showing: “Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism's Unholy War on Democracy” with commentary by David Jones, presented by Roanoke Reparations Group and Justice Advocates in the Roanoke and New River Valleys at Christ Episcopal Church (1101 Franklin Rd. SW). Jones has studied Christian Nationalism and will be making a brief presentation on its connection to Project 2025. You can find more information about the film at this link. For additional information specific to the Roanoke showing, visit this link.
  • 1 p.m. — Write In at Asher’s Coffee (425 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke). Join other local writers and get that word count up. Enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks while you work. Writers of all skill levels welcome. Find more information at this link.
  • 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Foster Burton at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 4 to 8 p.m. — Night Market Art and Vendor Show presented by Savvy Events and Downtown Roanoke Inc. at the Historic City Market (1 Market Sq., Roanoke).
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Seedpicker at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 5:45 p.m. — Virginia Tech vs. ODU Watch Party at 202 Social House (202 Market St., Roanoke).
  • 6 p.m. — Live music: Skydog: Allman Brothers Tribute at The Dog Bowl at Black Dog Salvage (902 13th St. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Seventh Day Slumber with Magdalene Rose at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (19 Cedar Ridge Dr., Daleville). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Billingsley at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 6:30 to 11 p.m. — Caribbica Fest Block Party with music by DJ Squeeze at Caribbean Soul (215 Market St., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Twin Valleys Roller Derby vs. Reading Roller Derby at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Live music: Gasoline Alley with Filthy Souls presented by Mingle at the Market at the Vinton Farmers Market (204 W. Lee Ave., Vinton). Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 7 to 10 p.m. — Queer Adventure Club Hangout presented by Roanoke City Parks and Recreation and the Roanoke Diversity Center at the Mill Mountain Discovery Center (2000 JB Fishburn Pkwy, Roanoke). Join in for a chill evening hanging around a bonfire. Buy and tie-dye a queer adventure club bandana for $13. For more information, email or call Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Dylan Kelly at 540-853-6019 or dylan.kelly@roanokeva.gov
  • 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Hatfield, Davidson, and Bailey Acoustic at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: ¡Tumbao! with DJ Spark Arrester at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: The Steeldrivers at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association Fall Showcase at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). Featuring both veteran and emerging songwriters from across Southwest Virginia. You’ll hear four different artists performing their original songs in the round including veteran performers Dan Hildebrand, Aspen Black, Professor Bill Stanton and Josh Jones. Find more information at this link.
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: American Aquarium at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Jake Bradley at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).
  • 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Vinyl & Vibes with the Star City Soul Club at Sidecar (411 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.

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Sunday, September 15

  • 11 a.m. — Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Dog Bowl Market with live music from Fritz Schindler at Black Dog Salvage (902 13th St. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Mason Creek Bluegrass at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 3 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Afternoon Music with The Andrews at The Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). The Andrews is an ambient experimental country music group featuring pedal steel, guitar, and video components. Find more information at this link. 
  • 4 p.m. — Roanoke Region Artist Mixer presented by Get2KnowNoke’s Ambassador Pop Up Series at Crystal Spring Grocery Co. (2205 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). Join Get2KnowNoke Ambassadors Sebastian Harlow and Gabrielle King (Slap Shop) as they invite artists of all mediums to connect with each other. Visit this link for more information and to RSVP.
  • 5 to 7 p.m. — Dirt Church with Trek Roanoke at Carvins Cove – Bennett Springs (4300 Carvins Cove Road Salem). A fun-filled day of mountain biking at the cove; all levels welcome. Two rides will take place — one of around 15 miles and another of around 10. Pace will be for all riders and skill levels. Find more information at this link.
  • 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Mad Iguanas Acoustic Storytelling at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 8 p.m. — Stand-up comedy: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Festival featuring Dusty Cagle at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)

Monday, September 16

  • 12:30 p.m. — Greater Roanoke Transit Company board of directors meeting in EOC conference room 159 on the first floor of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 2 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 5:45 p.m. — Roanoke Valley Sports Club: UVA Director of Scouting Brad Soderberg at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7 p.m. — Star City Secret Cinema presented by Justin Smith at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). What's the film? You won't know until you take your seat and the lights go down. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($) 
  • 7 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting – public hearings in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).

Tuesday, September 17

  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe w/ Snacktime at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q & The Funky Truth at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Wednesday, September 18

  • 10 to 11 a.m. — Cupcakes with City Employees: Laura Carini at the Main Library’s teen classroom (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Learn more about what our city employees do. Laura Carini, Senior Assistant City Attorney, represents the Engineering Department, the Purchasing Department, the Roanoke Valley Cable Television Committee and the Office of Economic Development. Laura also has responsibility for environmental issues and contract formulation and review. 
  • 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: John Morgan with Pat Pollifrone at Salem’s 17th Annual Star B-Q at the Salem Farmers Market (3 East Main St., Salem). Salem's very own country, BBQ concert. features barbecue restaurants from around the valley, some of country music's top talent, and Beer and wine for sale from P.A. Short. Children under 10 are free. Find more information at this link. ($) 
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 to 8 p.m. — Ultimate Frisbee Pick-up League presented by PLAY Roanoke at River’s Edge Park (302 Wiley Dr., Roanoke). Informal, fun, ultimate frisbee pick-up league. Continues weekly on Wednesdays through November 6, some dates excluded. Visit this link for details and to sign up for this low-cost series. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Awen Family Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Ongoing

  • Through September 13 — Featured Art Exhibit: Z.L. Feng at Blue Ridge PBS (1215 McNeil Dr., Roanoke). Growing up in Shanghai, Feng painted and experimented with different mediums, including pastel, oil, and egg tempera, before choosing his favorite, watercolor. He finds inspiration for his lovely landscapes in the countryside of the New River Valley. His artwork can be found in numerous private and corporate collections, including Walt Disney, the U.S. Gulfstream Aerospace Center, and Orlando International Airport. His exhibit is open for viewing at Blue Ridge PBS from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekdays through September 13. 
  • September 13 through December 8 — Johnny Floyd “Child Be Free” exhibit at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Upper Smoyer Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibit explores our relationship with time and how we define ourselves within its bounds delving into questions of purpose and identity, often through the lens of recursion theory, where repetition leads to revelation. Includes experimentation with paper, sewing, and digital manipulation, to intertwine archival imagery with themes of ancestry and connection, drawing inspiration from The Center for Studying Structures of Race’s project on naming unnamed enslaved individuals who contributed to Roanoke College's history. Find more information at this link.
  • Through September 15 — Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival (13561 Lee Highway, Buchanan). 120 handmade crafters and food vendors, over 700,000 sunflowers, farm animals, hay rides, photo booths, children’s activities. Cash and credit accepted at the door. Heavy rain cancels. Continues through September 15. Find more information at this link. ($)
  • Through mid-September — When Salem Sizzles: Tales of Summers Past at the Salem Museum (801 E. Main St., Salem). Visitors will enjoy a fun look back in time to see how we kept our cool in the days before air conditioning, and the fun we had once the weather turned warm. The Lake Spring resort and Lakeside Amusement Park offered cool spots to take a dip. There were graduations, June weddings, Fourth of July parades, scout camps, and lots and lots and lots of sports. And, oh – we had such trouble with the iceman. Find more information at this link.
  • Through September 27 — “Shining a Light on the Christiansburg Institute” exhibit in the Gainsboro Library community room (15 Patton Ave. NW, Roanoke). This exhibit tells the story of Christiansburg Industrial Institute, a school for African American students that was established in 1866 and later supervised by Booker T. Washington. It witnessed the United States’ attempt at Reconstruction, the successful installation of Jim Crow, and school desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement. Explore its history through featured artifacts, such as artwork, photographs, newspapers, and more. Find more information at this link.
  • Saturdays through December 28 — Downtown Roanoke Food & Cultural Tour starting at 11:15 a.m. from Hotel Roanoke (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). A walking tour that connects Roanoke's local food scene with the city's colorful history. Visit six food-tasting locations within the historic and vibrant downtown historic district. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty meal for most, are served from locally-owned eateries at iconic historic locations. Find more information and reserve your spot at this link. ($)