July 2015 - In this Issue of The Scenic:

Remote cameras funded by the Foundation are capturing images of wildlife for the Parkway.
Show your love for the Parkway!

Our warm weather activities include lots of projects
 

We love summer on the Parkway. There are so many trails to hike, overlooks to take in, historic sites to learn from, and adventures to experience. As you're marking off your list of must-visit spots on the Parkway, we're working on our must-do list to make the route an even better place for you and the wildlife that call the park home.

  • On the nature front, we're installing new cameras in remote locales to better understand the habits and needs of bears, bobcats, deer, and the other creatures that roam the landscape.
  • To preserve the historic spots you love to visit, we're working with the National Park Service to repair Polly Woods Ordinary, Johnson Farm, and Ramsey Cabin - all destinations that tell the story of early life in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • You can expect to see revamps at stops all along the way, including Doughton Park Picnic Area, where the original 1940s and '50s picnic tables, campfire pits, and paved paths are in dire need of repair. At Mount Pisgah Amphitheater, the crumbling pavement, sagging benches, and outdated electric system will be redone to create a venue that is comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.

You can help make these improvements and programs possible. Click here for a complete list of the Foundation's 2015 projects. Be sure to look for the Centennial Challenge projects labeled "Matching Gift Opportunity." Every dollar given in support of these projects will be doubled thanks to matching funds!
The Biking TRACK Trail at Salem Lake is ready to explore.
A first for Kids in Parks:
A Biking TRACK Trail!

The signs are up and the trail adventure guides are ready at Salem Lake Bike TRACK Trail in Winston-Salem. The latest trail features nine stations around the seven-mile lake loop. Each stop has a sign with interpretive information about the plants and animals that make Salem Lake their home, as well as biking skills tips. It's a great way to get out and explore nature on two wheels! Stay tuned for details on a grand opening celebration. 

 

Our next bike trail opens at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park in Boone. Mark your calendar for the grand opening celebration on Saturday, August 29.


 

For information on more trails, visit www.kidsinparks.com.

 

Last call for tickets!

Join us for a special reception to benefit Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and
a performance of The Denim King at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk

 

There is still time to get your tickets for a special reception to benefit Moses H. Cone Memorial Park on Saturday, August 1, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk.

 

The event marks an exciting time as the Foundation undertakes a multiyear plan to protect and enhance the estate's historic and cultural value, safeguard the landscape, and impart a deeper understanding of its significance. Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Mark H. Woods and other special guests will share their vision for this treasured place on the National Register of Historic Places. 

 

Tickets are $75 and include premier seating at the matinee (2 p.m.) or evening (7 p.m.) performance of The Denim King. For reception tickets, call the Foundation office at (866) 308-2773, ext. 245.


 
Get the Plate!
Order your specialty license tag and help the Parkway

For each attractive Blue Ridge Parkway license plate sold, $20 helps funds important projects on the scenic 469-mile route. Learn More

 

 

Coming up at the Blue Ridge Music Center
 
Wolfe Brothers
The Wolfe Brothers Band plays the Blue Ridge Music Center on August 1.

Joe Troop and Diego Sanchez

 

What do a mountain band from Elk Creek, Virginia, and a duo from Buenos Aires, Argentina, have in common? The distinct influence of fiddles, banjos, and bass. On Saturday, August 1, at 7 p.m., the Blue Ridge Music Center welcomes The Wolfe Brothers String Band and Joe Troop and Diego Sanchez. These groups may come from two different continents, but the mountain sound won't be lost in translation for this performance of Blue Ridge Sounds from Around the World.

 

Tickets are $10 (free for children 12 and younger) and are available at www.blueridgemusiccenter.org or by calling (866) 308-2773, ext. 245. The Music Center is at 700 Foothills Road, Galax, Virginia (milepost 213).  

 

Also coming up:

August 8: The Music Center is taking a break for the Galax Old Fiddler's Convention August 3-8. Click here for details.

 

August 15: Spencer Branch + Mickey Galyean & Cullen's Bridge; $10; 7 p.m.

 

August 22: Redhead Express + The Walker Boys; $15; 7 p.m.

 

August 29: Steep Canyon Rangers + Mountain Park Old Time Band. Come early for a celebration in honor of the National Park Service's 2016 Centennial Anniversary. Many of the Blue Ridge Parkway partner organizations, including the Foundation, Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area/Blue Ridge Music Trails of NC, Conservation Trust of NC, Eastern National, and Friends of Blue Ridge Parkway, will be on hand with information about their work on the Parkway and how you can become involved. Before the show, check out the Taste of the Mountains pre-concert reception featuring small bites from Galax restaurants (Bogey's, Scoots, Galax Smokehouse, and others), local beer from Creek Bottom Brews, and wine. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold for the Taste of the Mountains reception. Concert $20. Reception $20 advance, $25 day of event. To order tickets, call (866) 308-2773, ext. 245.

 

For the full schedule, tickets, and season passes, visit www.blueridgemusiccenter.org.

 
Turk's Cap Lily is in bloom through August. Photo by Vicki Dameron
Bloom Updates

Want to know which flowers are in bloom on the Parkway and where? Call the Blue Ridge Parkway offices at (828) 298-0398 for a wildflower report before you head out for your next excursion.
Your Support Matters
Join our Community of Stewards                          

 

As the primary fund-raiser and trusted steward of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foundation is forever committed to preserving the past, enhancing the present, and safeguarding the future of America's Favorite Journey™. Learn more about joining our Community of Stewards at www.BRPFoundation.org.

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
717 S. Marshall St., Suite 105B
Winston-Salem, NC 27101-5865
(866) 308-2773

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