Are you an adrenaline junkie ... do you love being outdoors, biking, skiing, hiking, jumping? Don't miss Radical Reels Film Festival and Outdoor Expo at the Jefferson Center tonight.

We guarantee you'll walk away inspired!

Come early (5-6:30 p.m.) for the Get Outside Expo. Grab a New Belgium Brewery beer and a bite to eat, walk around, and meet local outfitters, guides, and clubs (located in Fitzpatrick Hall).

Films begin at 6:45 p.m. Kick back and enjoy some jaw-dropping adventure films that will leave you planning your next big adventure (located in Shaftman Performance Hall).

 

The event is FREE with a canned food donation thanks to the generous support of Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, East Coasters, GO Fest, Just The Right Gear, Mountain Junkies, Ride Solutions, Roanoke Parks & Recreation, Walkabout Outfitter, Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing.

 

Attendees were asked to RSVP but there are no tickets or list. The RSVP system allowed the Jefferson Center to anticipate how many people will be in attendance. So come on...even if you didn't RSVP.

 

Looking to get a jump on the films? Stop by 16 West Marketplace today (noon-1pm) for the "What is Adventure" TED Talk.

Every five years the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation department updates its master plan; it's a requirement for maintaining accreditation, but frankly is a great way to stay in tune with what the community wants.

  

The purpose of this plan is to maintain a citizen-driven living document that gives the City direction as to the leisure service needs of Roanoke. Such an inclusive plan contains definitive recommendations and priorities regarding facilities, trails, greenways, outdoor adventure, programs, centers, conservation principles, plus identifying needs for future resources including capital development.

 

Public input session: 

• Date: Sept. 13
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Jefferson Center (Fitzpatrick Hall)
• Can't make it? Send an email to parksrec@roanokeva.gov 

Five years ago hardly a comment about outdoor recreation was received during the update process...let's change that in a dramatic way this time around! Think of this as your opportunity to share ideas on what will make Roanoke a better outdoor community.

 

Check out our list of ideas to get you started>>> 

Guest post by John Egan

Apple season is a great time to tour the hills outside Roanoke.

In the mountains of Virginia, fall begins with apple season. Even though the harvest begins as early as July, the best times to pick apples are September, October, and early November.

As a side note to apple butter fanatics, the in Virginia comes from church groups. Only with the large number of parishioners bringing in their bushels and families bringing their time-proven knowledge and recipes can you achieve a result that Virginians and visitors alike recognize as the epitome of apple butter goodness.

If fall is starting to weave its golden red fingers through your weekday thoughts, now would be an excellent time to plan an apple tour.

Check out the stops on the fall apple tour >>>