Join us at Explore Park on Sunday, Sept. 19, 5:00 pm, for our free concert featuring the ever popular Easy Pickins’ band! Easy Pickins’ will entertain you with their musical blend of Bluegrass and Americana acoustic music. This is the final Summer Concert sponsored by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge, which celebrates the cultural arts…
read moreShop Mast General Store in Roanoke this Saturday, Sept. 11, 10 am to 9 pm. 10% of all sales will benefit FRIENDS! Thank you Mast General for supporting our volunteers’ & members’ work protecting & preserving the Blue Ridge region!
read moreHiking with your partner along a scenic trail … driving solo down the Blue Ridge Parkway … enjoying a meal with your loved ones at a small town diner. What’s your Blue Ridge? Send a selfie or scenic shot, plus a sentence or two, that captures what our region means to you and we’ll share…
read more[UPDATE 8/15/21] Due to today’s weather forecast, this concert is being postponed to a later date. Please stay tuned to our email and social media for updates. Thank you! Join us at Explore Park for a free summer concert featuring Gate 10! Gate 10 is a highly energetic band that has written its own musical…
read moreFRIENDS is a silver level sponsor of Smoke on the Mountain. FRIENDS volunteers from the Fisher Peak Chapter and the Northern Highlands Chapter will have a vendor booth to promote FRIENDS and volunteer opportunities in their Virginia and North Carolina. These two chapters are good FRIENDS and often cross the state line to support each other. Come see Joyce Speas,…
read moreJoin FRIENDS this summer at Explore Park, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 115, for a free concert series! Concerts are 5:00 to 6:00 pm on the lawn of Twin Creeks Brewpub, and open to the public. June 19: The McKenzies feature a repertoire of lively tunes, unique original songs, familiar ballads, inspiring sing-alongs, and humorous novelty…
read moreThe FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is pleased to announce the promotion of Julie Whalen to executive director. In the new position, Whalen will work closely with the Board of Directors and officers to expand the group’s volunteer and membership base while furthering the organization’s mission to protect and preserve the Blue Ridge region. Whalen…
read moreJust beyond the tree line is the Lipscombe-Garrett Family cemetery adopted by Norwood Morrison, FRIENDS adopter and member of the Peaks of Otter Chapter. Preserving Parkway Stories Hiding in Plain Sight With retirement approaching, FRIENDS member and volunteer, Norwood Morrison was planning how to spend his time. Would he look for ways to continue doing…
read moreOn November 7, the National Park Service (NPS) honored volunteers who have made significant contributions to the preservation, protection, and enjoyment of the Blue Ridge Parkway.“These volunteers have given the most valuable resource they have to give…time,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent J.D. Lee. “We all have the same number of hours in each day…
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Join us for a 1940’s Night on the Parkway at the Brugh Tavern, located just inside Explore Park! Enjoy swing music by Keenan McKenzie and the Rifters all night. Along with 1940’s cars on display with photo ops available and 1940’s accessories to make your outfit complete. As well as a silent auction filled with…
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