Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Rhododendrons are blooming in Meadows of Dan!

It's a big weekend in Meadows of Dan! Come up out of the heat and enjoy cool breezes on the mountain and all the great events. July 3 - Independence Day Celebration/Laurel Fork/Olde Mill 5:00pm-until/$2.00 per person admission Live music, BBQ, Waterslide, Moon Bounce, Dunking Tank, Hayrides, Car Cruise-In, HUGE Fireworks Show!!! Featuring the Showtime Band!!!! 2258 Stone Mountain Rd - Laurel Fork - 1-800-753-5005 -www.oldemillclubs.com July 3 - Sunset on the Deck at Olde Mill Golf Course with Duane Steele/Laurel Fork, Va. 5PM NO COVER/DRINK SPECIALS/HALF PRICE APPETIZERS 2258 Stone Mountain Rd - Laurel Fork, Va - 1-800-753-5005 July 4 & 5 - Crafts in the Meadows and Meet the Authors- 5th Annual Craft Fair. Plus local authors. Book signing. Hand crafted items. No admission. Bring lawn chairs. Music provided. Local fruits and vegetables. Space for vendors. Mountain Meadow Farm - Meadows of Dan - 540-593-3279 www.mountainmeadowcrafts.com July 4 - Fire on The Mountain-Fourth of July-Vesta At Poor Farmer's Farm. Music. Old Fashion soda. Ice cream. Cracker Barrell atmosphere.Local items for sale 7958 Jeb Stuart Highway - Vesta - 276-952-2560 Email for more information. July 4 & 5 - Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival-Blue Ridge Parkway Daily One of a kind experience. Merging Wine Down the Music Trail and Floyd Fandango. Beer and Wine Festival MP 170.5 Blue Ridge Parkway - Meadows of Dan - 540-745-3378 - Across the Way Productions July 4 - Music at Christopher's Pizza, Band: None of the Above - 7 PM to ?. Special Event: Fireworks and 4th of July Party 9 PM. Buffet Breakfast - Saturday, July 4 , 2009, 7 AM to 10 AM. All you can eat eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, baked apples, coffee and juice by the finest cooks on the mountain! VFW and ladies auxiliary sponsoring, held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway. July 4 - Chateau Morrisette Winery MUSIC ON THE WINERY COURTYARD (ENTERTAINMENT IS FREE) GRILL OPEN 12-4 PM Event Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Come out and enjoy live music on the winery courtyard. Bring your own seating. Wine and food are available for purchase at our D*Vine grill. Entertainment: Al Coffey & Billy Jo Chambers Nicknamed the "Swiss Army Musician", Al Coffey might gift you with any combination of instruments. He enjoys the guitar, slide blues guitar, fiddle, harmonica, flute, saxophone, mandolin, bass, percussion and trumpet! Billy Jo Chambers Exposed to and nurtured on greats like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, Billy Joe has played guitar since he was 12. Following in the footsteps of his father's band, he is familiar to country music lovers in Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee. Performing original songs and favorite old school tunes, Billy Joe is a classic! July 4 - 4th of July Bluegrass and Old Time Music Competition, Vesta Community Center, Community Drive, Vesta. Bring your lawn chairs, Competition in Banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bands, vocals and flat footing. Games, food, quilt show. July 5 - Chateau Morrisette - SUNDAY SOUNDS: MUSIC ON THE WINERY COURTYARD 1-4PM (ENTERTAINMENT IS FREE) GRILL OPEN 12-4 PM Come out and enjoy live music on the winery courtyard. Bring your own seating. Wine and food are available for purchase at our D*Vine grill. July 5th entertainment: Scott Perry performs and creates acoustic blues that are relevant in today's fast paced, high-tech world. With his National steel-bodied guitar and repertoire of traditional and original acoustic blues, Scott turns any performance into an intimate celebration of this powerful music. www.ohpapa.com Spagetti Supper - Monday, July 6, 4 PM to 7 PM, sponsored by VFW and ladies auxiliary, all you can eat spagetti, salad, garlic toast, coffee or iced tea and dessert. Held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway 58. For more about what's happening in Meadows of Dan click here. The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area. The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Patrick County, Virginia web sites also offer more information about the area and events.

The Crooked Road and Christopher's Pizza

Presentation of Affiliate Banner

Christopher’s Pizza receives Crooked Road

Affiliated Partner Status 

 

Christopher’s Pizza in Meadows of Dan, Virginia will be presented with a banner acknowledging this venue’s recent inclusion as a Crooked Road Affiliated Partner. As an Affiliated Partner, Christopher’s Pizza will receive recognition in Crooked Road publicity and promotional materials. Crooked Road Board member, Woody Crenshaw, will present the banner to Christopher’s Pizza on June 6^th at 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with a performance by the Country Boys. The performance will take place from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

 

 “Christopher’s Pizza has a tradition of hosting high quality traditional music performances which exemplify the culture and music of the region” notes Jonathan Romeo, Interim Executive Director of The Crooked Road. “We are proud to recognize this venue as a Crooked Road Affiliated Partner. The Crooked Road’s venues are an important part of the assets of our region”.

 

Christopher's Pizza, which hosts live bluegrass every Friday and Saturday night, is a family style restaurant with an emphasis on friendship, comfort and fun. Their menu features delicious homemade pizza and home-style kitchen items.

 

The Crooked Road Board recently announced the inclusion of 7 additional Partners on the Trail. The Partners are all music presenters and include annual festivals and weekly jams. A complete listing of the 28 Partners and 8 Major Venues of The Crooked Road can be found at www.thecrookedroad.org. 

 

The Crooked Road is a ten county regional organization. Its mission is to support tourism and economic development in Southwest Virginia by celebrating and preserving this Appalachian region's unique musical and cultural heritage. The Trail itself covers 253 miles from Rocky Mount in Franklin County to Breaks Interstate Park in Dickenson County. 

For additional information, contact The Crooked Road office at (276) 492-2085 or info@thecrookedroad.org.

At least 125 people attended the event, including representatives from the Crooked Road, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Patrick County's Tourism Advisory Council.  People from Patrick County can't seem to do anything without turning it into an excuse for good food and good music, so the cooks were busy in the kitchen all evening turning out great pizzas and more!

The Crenshaws and Charlotte Gardner, Chairman of Tourism Advisory Council

The Country Boys Band


Dancing the night away


Historic Cockram's Mill, home of Christopher's Pizza

Blooming in Meadows of Dan

Mountain Laurel

There's a lot going on in Meadows of Dan, besides the beautiful blooms out on the Parkway and round about the community:

Music at Christopher's Pizza, Friday Night - Hubert Lawson and Saturiday night is the Country Boys.  Both shows from 7 PM to 10 PM.  Special Event: presentation of Crooked Road banner on Saturday night.

Buffet Breakfast - Saturday, June 6, 2009, 7 AM to 10 AM. All you can eat eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, baked apples, coffee and juice by the finest cooks on the mountain! VFW and ladies auxiliary sponsoring, held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway.

Just Say Cheese!  Chateau Morrisette Winery, Six cheeses, wine, cider & beer Tickets $50.00.

June 6, 2009

Music, Mead and Cider

Experience two originals—enjoy original local music and taste award winning cider and mead just 2 miles apart near the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwest Virginia. $4 covers tastings and music at both locations.  Check with Foggy Ridge Cider for more details.

Spagetti Supper - Monday, June 8, 4 PM to 7 PM, sponsored by VFW and ladies auxiliary, all you can eat spagetti, salad, garlic toast, coffee or iced tea and dessert. Held at Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467, the corner of Mabry Mill Road and Highway 58.

The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area.

Sue Moore and Dan River Books Join ‘Round the Mountain Community Loop Trail

Sue Moore of Dan River Books and Charlotte Gardner, Tourism Advisory Council

Dan River Books in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, became the latest in a number of trail sites scheduled to be featured on Patrick County’s Community Loop Trail. This project, part of ‘Round the Mountain’s ongoing efforts to promote artisans and tourism in Southwest Virginia, features farms and agri-tourism as well as artists and crafters.

In addition to inclusion on the planned brochure, 10,000 copies of which will be distributed at welcome centers throughout Virginia and at Heartwood, the new artisans’ center in Abingdon, Dan River Books is now listed on the ‘Round the Mountain web site at http://www.roundthemountain.org. Tourists will be able to visit the web site and find the many attractions of Patrick County, along with artisan studios, historical sites, B & B businesses and agri-tourism activities.

Dan River Books, 36 Concord Road in Meadows of Dan, is the studio of Sue Moore, quilter, who also plans to represent a select number of other artisans. The studio/shop is also a book store offering high quality remainders and publisher’s close-outs at greatly reduced prices. A used book room features an eclectic selection of used and rare volumes. A gallery of quilts and Ms. Moore’s other works is showcased in a room upstairs in this unique shop, which was once a private residence in Meadows of Dan.

The sun is finally out!

The Blue Ridge Parkway at Meadows of Dan

I'm sorry I forgot to do the events for the weekend this week!  Sometimes I have to work on my own stuff, and a few other projects got in the way this week so updating here slipped my mind.

Tonight there will be a benefit dinner for Donna Cruise held at the Meadows of Dan Elementary School from 5 PM to 7 PM.  Raffle, silent auction, music and good mountain food.

Don't forget that Mabry Mill is open with their great pancakes!  Heritage demonstrations began this week and now you can watch handspinning, weaving, chair caning, basketmaking and more.  Music on Sundays.  Mabry Mill is one of the most visited sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Just one mile north of Meadows of Dan!

Recent and Current Happenings in Meadows of Dan

Ribbon Cutting at Dan River Books, Concord Road, Meadows of Dan

New shops opening in town, festivals during the season, great food, music every weekend...Meadows of Dan has lots to offer!  It looks like the weather is going to be fabulous for this holiday so come up and join us for the festival, pancakes at Mabry Mill, fudge at Nancy's and visit the wonderful and friendly shops here in town.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and lots of people will be out and traveling! I wish everyone a safe, happy and beautiful week!  The rhododendron and flame azalea are starting to bloom in Meadows of Dan. There are so many events and activities taking place here that Meadows of Dan is the perfect destination. Beautiful scenery and flowers, great people, cool breezes and lots to do! 

Music at Christopher's Pizza - Friday, May 22, 7 PM to 10 PM - Statement; Saturday, May 23, 7 PM to 10 PM, Ted Jones & The Tarheel Boys.

Tractor at Hit and Miss in the Mountains

May 23, 24, 25, 2009 - 4th Annual Hit and Miss in the Mountains, Antique Engine Show, Main Engine Show on Saturday Featuring 20 horsepower Fairbanks & Morse diesel engine, Heritage Demonstrations throughout weekend, music, food and fun in the fields. More information at the web site.

Saturday, May 23 - Cinema on the Lawn, "His Girl Friday" at Chateau Morrisette. Tickets $5.00.

Saturday, May 23 - Dogtown Pizza at Foggy Ridge Cider. Fennel and apple sausage with blue cheese, pizza with local goat cheese, homemade mozzarella and tomato sauce...plus Foggy Ridge hard cider and orchard views. Dogtown Pizza brings their brick pizza oven to Foggy Ridge Cider for a special treat of freshly baked thin crust pizzas made with local ingredients. Cider tasting free. Pizza $10. Experience priceless.

Sunday, May 24 - Spring Winemaker's Dinner at Chateau Morrisette. For more information check the web site.

The Laurel Lea, our local magazine/newspaper, is setting up a new web site. Check back for new updates.

The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area.

A Little Rain Doesn't Dampen Our Spirits!

Well, we've had a little bit of rain lately in Meadows of Dan! But the sun is sure to come out soon and our cool breezes will be welcome in the coming months.

The rhododendron and flame azalea are starting to bloom in Meadows of Dan. The dogwood has been beautiful along the Blue Ridge Parkway this year. I don't think I've ever seen it bloom so well.

Music at Christopher's Pizza - Friday, May 15, 7 PM to 10 PM - Marshall Brothers & Highroad; Saturday, May 16, 7 PM to 10 PM, Barbershop Grass.

May 16 - Winemaking 101 at Chateau Morrisette. Check the web site for further information.

The Laurel Lea, our local magazine/newspaper, is setting up a new web site. Check back for new updates.