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• Fresh From The Farm (August 14) in Botetourt County.  Support our local farmers! Dozens of local farmers will provide a sampling of their wares, a cooking demo, gardening classes, education, music, and a chef challenge. $2 to get in!
• Bluestock Music Festival(August 14 & 15) in Catawba Valley.  Bring your blanket or lawn chair and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival
• Warren Street Festival (August 14 & 15) in Rocky Mount. Music, Food, Car Show, and More!
• Fab 5K Race (August 15) in Green Hill Park (flat course, cash purse, and a $600 Rowe Sofa door prize)
• Celebrate Catawba Festival (August 15) in Catawba Valley.  Local artists, farmers, and merchants will have their goods on display. Local musicians and storytellers will perform throughout the day.  Live music, food, farm produce, ice cream. crafts,  games, and  fly tying and casting demos by Trout Unlimited
• NatureFest 2009 (August 15, 9AM) at Peaks of Otter, milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nature-centered activities include fishing, hiking, hands-on activities, demonstrations and more. Call 540-586-4496 for details.
• For non-outdoor events visit
     

Pete's Pics

• 10AM stop by Celebrate Catawba
• Continue on Rt. 311 to Dragon's Tooth. Click Here for a map, directions, etc.
• After your hike head to the Home Place restaurant in Catawba for a truly unique dining experience
  
• When you can eat no more, it is a 15 minute drive down one of the prettiest valleys to Bluestock

• Weekly happy hour float with Riders Up Outfitters on the James River
• Weekly bike rides throughout Roanoke & NRV Valleys
• Land Navigation Clinic August 22
• Dressage Fun Day at Green Hill Park August 22
• Survival Weekend August 22-23 (must register by August 12)
• Xterra Triathlon August 23
• East Coasters Demo Day August 30 - come test ride the latest mountain bikes for free!
  
• Gauley Fest - worlds largest whitewater gathering September 19
• Trail Running Rampage at Douthat State Park September 19
• The Artie Levin Memorial Ride to benefit MS Society September 26-27
• Big Lick Triathlon at Smith Mountain Lake September 26
• Middle Mountain Mama Mtn. Bike Race at Douthat State Park September 26
  
• Virginia 10-Miler September 26
• Banff Radical Reels Film Festival & GET OUTSIDE Expo September 30
• Poor Mountain Hill Climb October 4
• Into The Darkness 4 Mile Trail Run (at night) October 24

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The inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon on the parkway will be held on April 24, 2010, beginning and ending in downtown Roanoke, with a tour of the region's highest peaks in-between. The event is being held in conjunction with the Parkway's 75th anniversary. Organizers have designated Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway to receive proceeds.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Roanoke, Va., who helped organizers achieve their goal of holding part of the race on the Blue Ridge Parkway, made the announcement at the news conference held in the office of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.

"I am so proud that Roanoke has found yet another way to show the world that we are truly a jewel in the mountains," said Goodlatte. "This race course will be like running through a post card."

The Blue Ridge Marathon on the parkway is mapped out to connect the Roanoke Valley with the popular roadway and the tourists that travel it. "It will be beautiful, it will be difficult - even for experienced marathoners - and it will give people a chance to use the Blue Ridge Parkway differently than they've historically been able to do," said event co-chair Pete Eshelman, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership.

Visit the Blue Ridge Marathon website

Read the complete press release

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Here are two outdoor social groups that allow you to meet other people and get outside!

• Meetup Roanoke Outdoor & Social Group this group seeks to bring together people from around Roanoke and the New River Valley who are interested in outdoor activities. They attract a wide variety of people with varying interests and experience levels and provide a mix of activities (hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, caving, etc.) that can be enjoyed by all. Events range from hikes to whitewater rafting to social mixers.
  
• Roanoke Sunday Hiking Group (on Facebook only - request to join the group).This is a group formed by "people who don't have free time on Saturdays. We seek to create a group of friends who want to explore the world around us. Whether it is walking in the woods, cooking out, or visiting something new and exciting, we seek to do something other than just lay around on Sundays."
  

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Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine just launched its "Best of the Outdoors Ballot!" This is your chance to get the Roanoke Region of Virginia the recognition it deserves! Vote for your favorite swimming hole, best bike trail, favorite section of the AT, and more - VOTE NOW!

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Spot GPS Review - Best of the outdoors ballot - GIANT SLIP N SLIDE VIDEO - Outdoor Trails Sale - Simple Green Home Improvements - My Kayak Video - Artie Levin Memorial Ride - Kid Bike Trailer Review - Bike Hero Awards - Smokey Bear turns 65 - List Weekly Bike Rides - skateboarding videos - & More!