The Roanoker - January/February 2019 - 37

4 0 M U S T- D O ' S I N R O A N O K E

GET YOUR GLASS.

#41

For 30 years, wine connoisseurs have been gathering at Smith
Mountain Lake to sip samples and nosh delicacies, to peruse art and
nod to local bands, to see and be seen. In a typical year, upwards of
10,000 people, 30 wineries and 85 food and craft vendors descend
on Crazy Horse Campground in Moneta for two days of wining
and dining.

HUM A
TUNE.

#42

Every September for the last
29 years the Harrison Museum
of African-American Culture

#45

has put gospel, jazz, soul
and R&B center stage during
their Henry Street Heritage
Festival . Some 3,000 people
head to Roanoke's Elmwood
Pa r k to par take in kids'
activities as well as eat and
shop from vendors. A dessert
competition with cash prizes
is an early afternoon highlight.
But it's the chance to hear
top musicians that rallies the
community to this event.

WALK IN
A WINTER

WONDERLAND.

Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival

#43

EMBRACE A
BYGONE ERA.

SML WINE FESTIVAL: DAVID HUNGATE / BLUE RIDGE FOLKLIVE FESTIVAL: COURTESY OF FERRUM COLLEGE

Staged by Ferrum College's Blue Ridge Institute
and Museum , the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is a
giant reverie to the region's heritage and traditions.
You'll find apple cider and corn shuck dolls and moonshine and
hunting dogs, work mules and antique tractors and hard tack candy
and Ruritan club-made barbecue. Three stages feature gospel, string
bands, bluegrass and blues. Demonstrations continue all day -
everything from dulcimer making to ox drives to hay baling .

#4 4
TRY
OUTSIDE.
For two-and-a-half days every
October, Roanoke trains its
focus on River's Edge Sports
Complex , where all things
outdoors are on display. The GO
Outside Festival brings climbing
walls and ropes courses, the
newest trends in trail running
shoes and road bikes. There's
an ENO hammock tent and a
food truck court, camping on
the baseball diamond and
bands until midnight . Plus,
lumberjacks and dog tricks and
a pool for sampling stand up
paddleboards.

Did we mention?
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
TheRoanoker.com

It's all free!

On three December Friday
nights, downtown Roanoke
roasts chestnuts, pops
kettle corn and rides horsedrawn car r i a ges while
characters from A Christmas
Carol engage Dickens of a
Christmas festival-goers.
Across the railroad tracks,
Hotel Roanoke decks its
halls with dozens of trees
decorated by area nonprofits
and businesses. The public
is invited to vote for their
favorites; all money raised
benefits United Way of
Roanoke Valley.

Didn't know
our little city
had so much
going on?
Really, we're just
scratching the surface.
Don't forget the region's
delicious dining scene,
fantastic farmers markets,
world-class marathon and
plein air yoga classes. If
the Star City can celebrate
The Roanoker's 45th
anniversary so stunningly,
just imagine how styling
she'll be at 50... I

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019

http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker - January/February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - January/February 2019