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Parkway construction began in September of 1935 at Cumberland Knob near the North Carolina and Virginia state line (at Milepost 217.5). <em>Photo from NPS Archives</em>

Parkway construction began in September of 1935 at Cumberland Knob near the North Carolina and Virginia state line (at Milepost 217.5). Photo from NPS Archives

Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Festival

Galax, VA • Near Milepost 215

See This Community on the Map

Family at Cumberland Knob Recreation Area

Family at Cumberland Knob Recreation AreaPhoto by National Park Service

Dates

Fri, Sept 10-Sun, Sept 12, 2010
Times vary

View Event Calendar

Cost

Free

Contact

Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc.
Leesa Brandon
828.271.4779, x224
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org

Location

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Cumberland Knob Recreation Area, Milepost 217; Blue Ridge Music Center, Milepost 213; and the neighboring communities of Fancy Gap, Hillsville, Fries, Independence, and Galax

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The Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Festival is a multi-day, multi-venue event staged in and around Cumberland Knob Recreation Area in North Carolina, where Parkway construction began on September 11, 1935. Two locations, the Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213) and the Cumberland Knob Recreation Area (MP 217), will be home to the festival that will include a formal ceremony featuring local, state, and federal officials; regional music and crafts; antique car and travel trailer vehicle exhibits; interpretive and environmental programs; storytelling; children’s activities; local foods; and much more!

Click for CURRENT STAGE SCHEDULE!

Highlights include:

Friday, September 10

Saturday, September 11

Sunday, September 12

Ongoing activities include:

  • Luthier/Instrument Maker Demonstrations
  • History Discussions
  • Community Showcase
  • Storytelling
  • Films
  • Nature Walks
  • Historic Construction Equipment Exhibit
  • Junior Appalachian Musicians
  • Appalachian Craft Demonstrations
  • Tastes of the Blue Ridge & Tailgate Market
  • Kids Activities *** more below! ***
  • Jamming Tents
  • 75th Commemorative Artwork by T. Pennington and P. Buckley Moss
  • Hundreds of birthday cards by elementary students on exhibit
  • Flat Foot Dance Workshop
  • Commemorative and Community Quilts on display
  • Antique Camper Exhibit

Kids and family activities include:

Beyond mountain crafts and food, great traditional Appalachian music and dance, exhibits and demonstrations, and antique cars and campers, there will be a wealth of activity for the kids. National Park Service Rangers, with assistance from partners and other volunteers, will lead activities focusing on traditional games, the culture of the region, biology, botany, natural history, geology, Parkway design, and Appalachian crafts.

At Cumberland Knob, families will be able to participate in the following interpretive, hands-on programs:

  • Building A Road – Parkway designers built a picturesque, pastoral, and sublime road when they created the Blue Ridge Parkway. Look at how the road has changed over the years and then create your own vision of a scenic parkway.
  • What’s Your Name? – In the 1820s, the Cherokee Indian Sequoyah developed a written alphabet for the Cherokee language. Learn how to write your name using his syllabary.
  • Warm and Pretty – Try your hand at quilting, a long-time Appalachian tradition, and learn about naturally dyed yarns.
  • Time Out for Toys – In the old days, children made toys from materials they had on hand. Try some old-time toys and games and make your own to take home.
  • Memories of Blue Ridge Parkway at 75 – Become a Junior Ranger and keep a journal of everything you do and learn during the Anniversary Festival.

At the Blue Ridge Music Center, family activities include the following:

  • Who Lives Here? – Learn about the diverse environments along the Parkway and the many different animal habitats protected by this scenic byway.
  • Geology Rocks – The Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the oldest in the world. Learn about how they were created, as well as the types of rocks and minerals you can find in the region.
  • What Grows Here? – With more species of plants growing along the Blue Ridge Parkway than in any other national park, learn about some of them and take home seeds to plant in your own backyard.
  • Keeping It Clean – Many streams originate along the crest of the Parkway. Learn where water pollution comes from and what you can do to help keep our water clean.
  • Memories of Blue Ridge Parkway at 75 – Become a Junior Ranger and keep a journal of everything you do and learn during the Anniversary Festival.

In addition to these programs – and for the child in all of us – there will be a variety of storytelling sessions as well as performances of traditional Jack Tales by Ferrum College students. These folk tales originated with English and Scottish immigrants who brought them to the Blue Ridge when they settled in the region.

Add to your family’s Parkway memories during this special celebration. There is no admission fee to enjoy the 75th Anniversary Festival!

You can count on the surrounding communities to provide plenty of other family-fun activities, too, including Fancy Gap, Fries, Galax, Hillsville, and Independence.

For more information, contact Leesa Brandon by e-mail or telephone at 828.271.4779, ext 224 or Penny Lloyd at 540.772.2104.

Lodging and Other Area Information

Demand for hotel rooms is expected to be very intense at festival time so we encourage you to seek accommodation information from these nearby communities as early as possible. The following tourism Web sites will help you identify available accommodations as well as other features and activities that make these gateway communities special Parkway places.

Within 30 minutes of the Festival site:

Within 45 minutes to 1 hour of the Festival site:

Within 1.5 hours of the Festival site:

Call for Volunteers!

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is seeking volunteers to help work the 75th Anniversary Festival. Sign up now by completing this brief form. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Rod Broker by e-mail or call 800.228.7275.

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