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PETE'S PICKS
On Friday and Saturday several parking spaces in downtown Roanoke will be turned into mini parks as part of the Roanoke Parklet Experiment.
The concept of transforming automobile infrastructure into temporary public spaces originated from PARK(ing) Day, an activity first organized by the Rebar Group from San Francisco in 2005. The motivation behind this idea was Rebar's desire to "activate the metered parking space as a site for creative experimentation, political, and cultural expression, and unscripted social interaction".
Communities across the world have joined this movement by organizing and supporting temporary public installations following PARK(ing) Day's core principles. Its common objective is to convert small areas of automobile infrastructure into a prototype for open-source urban design that is accessible to everyone. Cities, like New York and San Francisco, are using the success of this event to evaluate the potential of reprogramming parking areas into spaces for social exchange and artistic expression that could, eventually, be implemented as permanent parklets.
So make time this weekend to check out the parklets, and show your support. And while you're downtown, grab a "bowl with" from the Texas Tavern.
And while you're at it, go to www.blueridgemarathon.com/volunteer-info and volunteer to be a course marshal for the Blue Ridge Marathon (4/21). We need 25 more volunteers. Help us reach our goal!
Have a great one and, Get Outside!
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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BLUE RIDGE MARATHON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
 On April 20 and 21, runners (and families) will descend upon Roanoke for the 3rd annual National College Blue Ridge Marathon, Half Marathon, and Team Relay.
Help ensure their time spent in Roanoke is memorable! - Volunteer! 25 course marshals are still needed (grab a friend, hang out at an intersection, and cheer runners on).
- If you live along the course, or know someone who does, throw a block party. Play music, yell words of encouragement, hand out food, etc.
- Come to the finish line and congratulate runners. And while you're there enjoy live music, climbing wall, inflatable slides, beer, food, and more.
The action doesn't stop at the end of marathon. Just a few blocks away, the first batch of semi- professional and professional cyclists take off at 5pm as part of the Roanoke Twilight Criterium. This is an incredible spectator sport - think NASCAR but on bicycles. Groups of cyclists do lap after lap through the streets of downtown Roanoke. And if you see someone wearing a medal around their neck, be sure to congratulate them on completing America's Toughest Road Marathon, because it is a serious accomplishment.
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AT FLOYDFEST - WIN TICKETS TOO
 There is a reason FloydFest was voted "Best Outdoor Festival" by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine - it's simply an incredible experience you don't want to miss. It's much more than just a music festival - four days of camping (if you want to), more than 100 performers on 10 music stages, beer and wine gardens, performance art, global village, kids' universe, craft workshops, trapeze school, disc golf, mountain bike trail, and lots more.
The music acts you'll see are too numerous to list, but here are a few headliners you won't want to miss: Alison Krauss, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jackson Browne, SOJA, Brandi Carlile, Leftover Salmon, Matisyahu, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Galactic, ALO, Punch Brothers, Gary Clark, Toubah Krewe, Locos Por Juana, and many, many more.
And just like Roanoke Outside, FloydFest places a strong emphasis on the outdoors. Here's a little information you'll need to know to make sure you make the most of FloydFest, and all the outdoor opportunities it offers.
- FloydFest Outdoor Adventures tent is open daily (10am-5pm).
- Moonstomper Trail circumnavigates the entire festival grounds. Perfect for hiking and mountain biking.
- Star Light Bicycles will have demo bikes available, or bring your own.
- Events include: disc golf course, naturalist-guided hikes, river float trips, soccer, group road rides, disc golf contest, kickball, ultimate frisbee, 5K Fun Run, and mountain bike time trials race.
- Download the entire Outdoor Adventures schedule of events.
Continue reading to learn how to win a pair of four-day passes to FloydFest>>>
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| HELP LOCAL CONSERVATIONIST WIN $7500
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EARTH DAY ROANOKE
 Be part of the solution! Help protect our planet by participating in Earth Day Roanoke.
Earth Day Roanoke is a grassroots festival organized by volunteers from the Blue Ridge Environmental Network (BREN).
On April 21, the main drag in Grandin Village will be closed to cars and open to Earth Day. Individuals and organizations will be on hand to share their wonderful projects, educate children, and teach all to respect and preserve the earth. Come learn about sustaining as well as regenerating the energy we all need for a healthy life.
- April 21 (10am-4pm)
- Games, music. crafts, and more
- Take home a plant, get your bike tuned, watch a free movie at Grandin Theatre, visit local farmers, eat fresh local food, enjoy the music, and more
- Visit earthdayroanoke.com for more information
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- Sustainable Living Workshop - 4/20
- National Paddling Film Festival - 4/20
- Roanoke Twilight Roller Races - 4/20
- Down by Downtown Music Festival - 4/20-21
- Blue Ridge Marathon, Half Marathon, and Team Relay - 4/21
- Roanoke Twilight Criterium - 4/21
- YMCA Kids Marathon - 4/21
- Earth Day Festival - 4/21
- Bike Kitchen 5K - 4/28
- Rockin' Brews & BBQ Festival - 4/28
- 2nd Annual Surf the Streets Longboard Competition - 4/28
- Stick-Man Mud Run - 4/28
- Group Trail Run - 5/1
- Jennifer Pharr Davis, Adventures on the Appalachian Trail Talk - 5/2
- Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Race - 5/2
- Mayor's Bike Ride - 5/5
- Trail Nut 10K & Half Marathon Trail Race - 5/5
- Intro to Whitewater Kayaking - 5/5
- Middle Mountain Momma Mtn. Bike Race - 5/6
- Dragon's Tooth Hike - 5/10
- Gallop 4 The Greenways - 5/12
- Caching in on the Scenary Geocache Event - 5/12
- Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Race - 5/16
- Pigg River Ramble - 5/18-20
- Big Lick Fat Cat Classic - 5/18
- Youth Shooting Clinic - 5/19
- 9th Annual Grandin Court Baptist 5K Road & Trail Challenge - 5/19
- Alleghany Highlands Triathlon - 5/19
- Cafe 5K Family Fun Run/Walk - 5/19
- Kirk Fest - 5/30-6/2
- Guided Full Moon Canoe Trip - 6/1
- A.T. Hiking Weekend - 6/2-3
- 4th Annual Race for Open Space - 6/2
- Conquer the Cove Trail 25K & Marathon - 6/3
- Run With Grace - 6/9
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Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org
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Cox Conserves Heroes, an awards program created by 