2013-Performing Fleas, Water Wars, Carnival Rides and more!

The 6th annual Summer Solstice Fest and Carnival is coming and once again will include TWO DAYS OF SUMMER FUN in downtown Blacksburg!

Friday June 21
Carnival by Funtime Amusements will be located in the First Church of God Parking lot on Lee Street. Featuring fairground rides and games for all ages. 5-10pm
Cabo Fish Taco Beach Party

Saturday June 22 1pm-12midnight
Summer Solstice Fest
Featuring Dog Parade, Petting Zoo, Downtown Sundown 5k Run®, Beer Garden, Food, Live Music, Burnt Creative Indie & Vintage Craft Fair,Carnival, Treasure Island Play Beach, FREE Bike Valet Service, Water Wars, Wing Eating Contest,Festival foods, fun filled games and activities brought to you by your favorite local non profit groups, and so much more.

The event will take place on Main St. between Roanoke St & Washington St, Lee St. between Church St & Draper Rd. and Draper Rd between Roanoke St and Kent Square Parking Garage.

Live Music with:
PanJammers
Guilty Pleasures
El Capitan
MH & His Orchestra
Jason Byrd
Urth
Hoppie Vaughan & The Ministers of Soul

Entertainment with:
Animal Antics with NRV Varmints ( A Fun, Educational look at a variety of birds and reptiles)
Wing Eating Contest sponsored by Sharkey’s, P.K.’s & Café de Bangkok
Belly Dancing
Fire Show by Pyre in the Beer Garden
Albert Flea Circus Performances at 2:30pm, 4:30pm & 6:30pm

WDBJ7
WDBJ7 will be onsite throughout the festival- stop by and see them on the corner of Lee St and Main Street, outside Starbucks!

Cumulus Radio Broadcast Schedule:
WSPK, The Bear & Mix 100.7 will be live onsite throughout the day.
Summer Solstice Fest is a DEQ Certified Virginia Green Event

Treasure Island  sponsored by the New River Valley Apartment Council
Come and play in the sand beach next to Starbucks and you might even find a few pieces of eight and a Pirate or Two!

Family Rejuvenation Station  sponsored by Rhythm of Birth,  and The Sleepytime Teacher

DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN 5K RACE® .  This year the race will start and finish on Draper Road in front of the the stage in the heart of the festival! Packet pick-up and race day registration: Begins at 3pm on race day. The registration table is located on the Alexander Black House Lawn on Draper Rd. Race day registration for the event will close promptly at 7:15pm. The race begins at 8:30pm
Race proceeds benefit: Blacksburg Cross Country & Track & Field Programs & Summer Solstice Fest

Burnt Creative Vendors

A Little Twisted https://www.facebook.com/ALittleTwisted1 (Pembroke, VA)
Stitched & Salvaged (Radford, VA)
Wrenn Pottery http://wrennpottery.com/ (Floyd, VA)
All Mapped Out http://allmappedout.etsy.com (Clemson, SC)
Whispering Willow Soap Co. http://www.whisperingwillow.net/ (Lincolnton, NC)
Dashing Dog Studio http://dashingdogstudio.com/ (Blacksburg, VA)
Marshfluff http://marshfluff.etsy.com (Radford, VA)
Diament Jewelry http://www.diamentjewelry.com/ (Alexandria, VA)
Heart Rock Vintage (Eggleston, VA)
Blue Planet Creations http://blueplanetcreations.etsy.com (Beavercreek, OH)
Paris Mountain Botanicals (Blacksburg, VA)
Live Pretty Jewelry http://liveprettyjewelry.etsy.com (Huntersville, NC)
The Parsonage Handmade Soap http://parsonagesoap.com/ (Lovettsville, VA)
Dancing Dog Tees (Floyd, VA)
Sandra Eileen Designs http://sandraeileenjewelry.etsy.com (Blacksburg, VA)
Sophie’s Bistro https://www.facebook.com/sophiesbistro (Blacksburg, VA)
OmBeautiful http://www.ombeautiful.com/ (Manakin Sabot, VA)
Folkthreads (Roanoke, VA)

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Cabo Fish Taco, NRVAC,  Montgomery County Regional Tourism Office, Freedom First Credit Union, Dr. Steve Jacobs, WDBJ7, NRV Macaroni Kid, Cumulus Radio, Town of Blacksburg, Shelor, Sharkeys & Cafe de Bangkok,  NRV Varmints, Tech Bookstore, Filamina Jewelry, Beliveau Estate Winery, Nationwide Insurance, Go Fit Moms, Solar Connexion, Edible Arrangements, Amerigroup Inc, VA, Rhythm of Birth,
The Sleepytime Teacher, Blacksburg Live Music

Christmas shopping on a budget

Post written by Laureen Blakemore

Anybody who knows me well knows this fact about me: I DO NOT LIKE SHOPPING! And yes I will admit it- I am also VERY IMPATIENT!  I used to find Christmas  shopping to be a pain in the……. well you know what. Standing in line in crowded shops combined with the pressure to find exactly the right gift for each person on my list was not only frustrating to me, but was actually rather annoying.  Over the years Christmas shopping became an  exercise in frantically grabbing whatever I could find, as fast as I could find it and getting out of the door and back home as quickly as was humanly possible. Not much thought went into anyone’s gift. Friends or family members, who were unfortunate enough to come shopping with me, were usually left re-evaluating our relationship as they watched me turn into an impatient, obnoxious lunatic as I desperately tried to navigate my way through crowds and badly laid out aisles to find my way to the nearest cashier or doorway.

And now…….well I shop downtown, right here in Blacksburg.While I would certainly not pretend  that I suddenly find shopping to be my most favorite activity in the whole wide world ever, I have found that I can tolerate it a lot better and sometimes I actually even enjoy myself!

I hear a lot of people saying that it is too expensive to shop locally so today I set myself a challenge- to find out if it was possible to shop downtown for Christmas gifts that cost less than $20 each. Turned out to be a bigger challenge than I expected because there was just so much available to choose from. In many instances I found delightful gifts which cost less than $10 so now I am spoiled for choice!

So what brought about this change of heart in my shopping attitude I hear you asking?  Well really it’s probably down to 5 simple reasons and I  want to share those with you.

1) I now know our downtown store owners, and they know me. They are used to my “shopping phobia” and are quick to offer shopping advice if needed and equally quick to know when I just want to be left alone! I have never had to waste my time searching for a sales assistant to tell me the price of an item, or to find out if they have the size I need in stock. Downtown the sales assistants, or in many cases, the owners, are on hand almost immediately if a customer has a question. And there is certainly something to be said for shopping in the places where “everybody knows your name” (to quote from one of my favorite old shows “Cheers”)!

2)  Every time I go and shop downtown I can absolutely guarantee that I will bump into somebody I know in at least one store. So now in addition to purchasing items I can catch up with friends and acquaintances, swap ideas about gifts for you know who, whom they just happen to know too! Suddenly shopping is a much less daunting task, it’s a social experience and I truly do love to be sociable! Often the shopping trip becomes much more than that- how fun it is to catch up with others and maybe move on from the store to one of the great restaurants or to The Lyric to catch a movie, or on a sunny day to hang out together at Market Square Park.

3) Our downtown stores have more one-of-a-kind gifts, unique and unusual pieces as opposed to the mass-produced items that are found elsewhere. Our stores offer a more low-pressure shopping experience and so many different options, so I am able to spend more time finding gifts that really suit members of  my family and my friends.

4) In our downtown stores the staff  are more familiar with their merchandise, and offer personalized assistance  in a low stress environment. And if they do not carry something I am looking for they let me know where I can find it elsewhere!

5) Smaller stores = shorter lines= less waiting time. Enough said!

We all know by now, I hope, that supporting local business is beneficial to the local economy as well. According to a Nov. 22, 2011, Forbes article by Deborah Sweeney, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 gets returned to the community, either in employee paychecks, or through taxes. An Oct. 21, 2011, U.S. News article by Rachel Koning Beals corroborates this claim, adding that, in comparison, one Chicago-based study found that only $43 of every $100 spent at chain stores remains in the local economy. Sweeney describes local businesses as “the backbone of the community”. When you spend your money locally, you are supporting the people who live next door, the people who know your name!

And so with all of this in mind back to my challenge- Christmas shopping on a budget downtown. I found so very many items for $20 or less that I finally stopped looking. I have provided some pictures and ideas here for you as well as a list of most of  our downtown stores. I encourage you to take this challenge and come down and see how much is available- from $3 stocking stuffers in The Clothes Rack to $10 gloves in Fringe Benefit: from a selection of books and coloring books in Mish Mish to all of your Hokie needs in High Peak Sportswear, Tech Bookstore, Campus Emporium or Bookholders: from beautiful works of arts and crafts in Matrix Gallery or Burnt Creative to cell phone accessories in Wireless Zone: from cool Kitchen accessories in Gourmet Pantry to all your gardening needs in Heavener Hardware. So many great gifts under $20 each, and in many cases, under $10 available in downtown Blacksburg! And if you are still not sure what would be the absolute best gift for your teacher/ boss/wife/friend/co-worker you can always get Downtown Gift Certificates  sold in $5 or $20 denominations at the National Bank of Blacksburg on Roanoke Street. They can be redeemed in more than 60 downtown businesses allowing the recipient to choose exactly where they want to spend their $$’s!

So come on downtown and take the challenge- get your Christmas gifts for $20 or less, you’ll be surprised how much fun you’ll have during your shopping local experience!

Happy Shopping!

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310 Rosemont 208 N. Main St. 540-961-5326 A boutique for men and ladies!

Alligator Alley 401 S. Main St. 540-552-4287 Men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, featuring Lacoste, Barbour, Berle, Vineyard Vines, Sperry, Lilly Pulitzer, and Eliza B. See ya later, Alligator!

Beaux Arts Galleria 105 E. Roanoke St. 540-443-0003 Mid-20th Century home furnishings, vintage lighting products and museum-quality home decorations from around the world.

Bike Barn 424 N. Main St. 540-443-3323 Bike Barn offers bicycle sales and service in the New River Valley. Bike Barn is a drop off point for tubes, tires and metal bike parts for recycling!

Blacksburg Pipe & Tobacco 408 N.Main St 540-951-8457 Our mission is to provide our customers with an enjoyable experience and the finest tobaccos available. We carry some of the finest cigars in the world.

Bookholders.com 125 N. Main St. 540-808-4481 BookHolders.com buys/sells used college/general books & new apparel.

Burnt Creative Boutique 320 N.Main St 540-230-7550 Specializing in regional handcrafts, fair trade goods, and carefully selected vintage finds.

Campus Emporium 207 N. Main St. 540-552-1051 YOUR ONE STOP HOKIE SHOP for gifts, clothing and merchandise

Capone’s Fine Jewelry 101 N. Main St. 540-953-1000 Custom designs which incorporate only the highest quality gems, stones and metals.

Clothes Rack 105 N. Main St. 540-552-8147 A wide selection of college apartment essential tapestries, handicrafts and eco-conscious clothing reminiscent of the 60′s.

Eats Natural Foods 708A N. Main St. 540-552-2279 Blacksburg’s premier natural foods store offering a wide selection of organic, natural and gourmet foods; wine and beer brewing supplies, supplements, and body care products.

Eucalyptus Massage Therapy 201 S. Main St. 540-552- CALM We look forward to working with you, and encourage you to start getting healthier with massage therapy! Also selling jewelry and artworks

Fringe Benefit 117 N. Main St. 540-951-9777 Women’s Fashion, gifts and jewelry with Ten Thousand Villages located inside!

Gourmet Pantry 401 S. Main St. 540-951-1995 Everything kitchen and more! Sign up now for Cooking Classes- visit the website for details.

Greenhouse Boardshop 203 College Ave. 540-552-3872 Professionally serving the needs of people who ride skateboards and snowboards.

Heavener Hardware & Lumber 801 Kabrich St. 540-552-1221 Lumber, rentals and so much more for those projects around the home and garden.

Heirloom Originals 609 North Main Street 552-9241 Antiques,gifts and originals on North Main. Stop in and see us!

High Peak Sportswear 209 College Ave. 540-953-1293 Your best source for t-shirts, golf shirts, hats, and all types of imprinted apparel and gift items!

John’s Camera Corner & Gentry Studio 213 Draper Rd. 540-552-2319 Views of Historical Blacksburg on display and for sale. Buy Blacksburg postcards and all of your camera needs in the heart of the downtown.

Kent Jewelers 210 S. Main St. 540-552-3241 Your diamond source

LaLac Boutique 208 A North Main St., 540-552-0070 An accessories boutique that offers a variety of fashion forward jewelry, scarves, hats, purses, sunglasses, stockings, belts and more. It is our mission to bring our customers the the latest trends in a friendly, comfortable environment

Mad Dog 109 N. Main St. 540-961-4038 Mad Dog offers clothing, accessories, and home goods for all styles.

Matrix Gallery 115 N. Main St. 540-951-3566 Quality handmade American crafts….beautiful, functional & fun!

Mish Mish 125 N. Main St. 540-552-1020 Providing the Best in Supplies to Those Who Create Since 1970.

Nice Dreams 115-B North Main St 540-552-4733 Gifts, novelties and tobacco

polished by claire v. 101 South Main St 1540-342-5895 We offer highly indulgent manicures, pedicures, and spa services at a fabulous price, in a memorable setting! Also selling purses and Bare Minerals products.

Tech Bookstore 118 S. Main St. 540-552-6444 Tech Bookstore is your place for Virginia Tech textbooks, gear and supplies. Buy or sell used and new textbooks, find official Virginia Tech gear, and purchase software and gifts.

Wireless Zone 304 N. Main St. 540-961-4200 Your Local Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer in Downtown Blacksburg since 2002. Also selling XM Radio.

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Happy Holidays in Downtown Blacksburg!

TubaChristmas 2012

Friday, December 7, 2012

Need more Tuba………….to participate in the 4th annual Downtown Blacksburg TubaChristmas!
TUBACHRISTMAS events are presented throughout the world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974.
TubaChristmas in Blacksburg is sponsored and presented by Downtown Blacksburg Inc and the Department of Music at Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 – TIME: 6:00 pm
LOCATION: Blacksburg Farmers Market Square
REGISTRATION: 3:00 pm, Virginia Tech., Department of Music, Squires room 243
REHEARSAL: 4:00 pm, same
PARKING: Kent Square garage, 207 Draper Rd.
CONDUCTOR: Dr. Dave Ball
COORDINATOR: Elizabeth Crone 540-998-5972

For more information or to sign up to play in TubaChristmas please contact Elizabeth Crone at ecrone@vt.edu

Winter Lights Festival

Friday, December 7, 2012

Downtown Merchants annual Open House- 4-8pm, late night shopping, free gift wrap, snacks and beverages, holiday specials.
Deo Gloria will stroll through the stores and streets caroling as they go!
4:00-7:00pm Holiday Gift Market, with free hot chocolate and hot cider from DBI & more in Market Square Park
4:00- 5:30pm- Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Lyric (bring your own camera)
5:00pm Caroling with Blacksburg Children’s Master Chorale in Market Square Park
5:30pm Tree lighting with music from the Blacksburg Children’s Master Chorale on Henderson Lawn
6:00pm TubaChristmas in Market Square Park.Co-sponsored by the Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. and the Department of Music at Virginia Tech
7:00pm Holiday Parade co-sponsored by Blacksburg Parks & Recreation Department &Virginia Tech Chapter of Circle K

Holiday Gift Market Vendors:
The Green Market – fresh produce and preserves
Birdsong Farm – beeswax candles, soaps, etc.
Mystic River – lavender products
Greenstar Farm – fresh produce, vintage jewelry
Beyond Homemade – baked goods
Little Blue Woman – candles
Honeywood – wooden bowls, etc.
Sterling Bridge Dairy – cheese
Cavalier Farms – produce, preserves, eggs, meat
Buckeye Mountain Forge – ironware
Les Delectables – baked goods
Under the Green Umbrella – baked goods, salsas, cider and lemonade
Friends of the Farmers Market – market t-shirts, posters, aprons
Jen Richter & Jenny Huffman-Christmas cards, art prints, handmade books, some original paintings
Alexander Black House- Holiday cards & ornaments.
Kourtney Hunter – fresh Christmas wreaths
Spangler Family Farm – popping corn (in gift bags – unpopped)

Eucalyptus Massage Therapy Art Show & Open House

Friday December 7th, 4-8pm
Come meet George Wills, featured artist, and the staff of Eucalyptus!
We now have custom therapeutic jewelry
for anxiety and stress reduction and locally crafted gifts!
Holiday Gift Certificates Online or during desk hours!

An Artful Open House

In The Artful Lawyer, at The Creekmore Law Firm
Friday Dec 7, 4-6:30pm
With the sounds of Deo Gloria in your ears, and the anticipation of another Tuba Christmas and parade in your heart, add some artful cheer to your evening with us! We will have new art on the walls, from artists who showed with us over the past year to a preview of artists to come in 2013. Christmas cookies and drinks will be served as we gather together before the tree lighting as well. All are welcome!

Downtown Blacksburg, Inc & The Lyric Theatre invite you to a FREE movie

“A Christmas Story”

December 8- 3pm
Santa and Mrs Claus will be available for pictures following the movie in the lobby. Bring your own camera.
Happy Holidays from
Downtown Blacksburg, Inc.& the Lyric Theatre

Main Street Inn- Holiday Open House December 9

Please come and enjoy Main Street Inn ‘s warm and festive Holiday setting. The Holidays bring out the best in all so please have a seat in our welcoming lobby and warm yourself with the crackling fireplace. We will be serving hot cider with cinnamon sticks and freshly baked holiday cookies. We will offer tours of our accommodations and an overabundance of holiday spirit. “Make a Night of It” when you visit Main Street Inn on Sunday, December 9 for the VICCC Holiday Open House Tour and receive 15% off your stay. We look forward to hosting you this holiday season!

Nest Realty – Holiday Open House December 9

We are participating in the 3rd annual Holiday Open House Tour to benefit the Valley Interfaith Childcare Center on December 9 from 1-5pm. Join us for an afternoon of holiday cheer as you tour homes, gardens and businesses in Blacksburg. Nest Realty will be hosting a gingerbread house decorating contest and the decorated houses will be on display for guests to view and vote on their favorite during the tour. The entry fee is $10 and you will receive a pre-made gingerbread house to decorate as you choose! The winner will receive lots of accolades as well as a donation made in their name to VICCC. Come by Nest today to get your gingerbread house or contact Tina Merritt and she will have one delivered to you. 540-440-1678 tina@nestrealtygroup.com. Get your creativity on and support VICCC! You can also purchase tour tickets in advance at Nest Realty, 400 N. Main St.

Special Holiday Shopping Nights

Dec 13- 4-8pm- Ladies Night
Dec 20- 4-8pm- Gents Night
Including free gift wrap, personal shopping assistance, wish list creation,special discounts, refreshments and so much more.

See your design on 2013 Steppin’ Out T-shirt!

How would you like to see this as the design on the 2013 Steppin’ Out T-Shirt?

Well neither would we! So now is the time for you to submit your design and you could win not only $500 in cool hard cash..(well a cool hard check actually but you know what we mean right?!) But you would also be the proud designer of the 2013 Steppin’ Out t-shirt which carries the honor of  being profiled through advertising/news articles, in store windows where t-shirts are sold, online prior to the festival, and at Steppin’ Out. Seriously you would go down in the annals of Blacksburg History alongside many other renowned t-shirt design artists from past years- including George Wills, Cece Bell, Forrest Worley and Robin Rogers. 33 years of Steppin’ Out t-shirt history.

You can get all the details that you need by downloading this nifty little pdf. SteppinOut_Design_Competition

So what are you waiting for? We are anxiously awaiting your design….or we could all be wearing Steppin’ Out t-shirts that look like this…….

And that would not be good for anyone!

T-shirt Design Contest deadline is Dec 14. Don’t spend the rest of you life saying “If only…..”

Behind the design- Q & A with Sarah Vernon

Sarah Vernon is a student at Virginia Tech in the Visual Communication Design program and comes from Marion Virginia. We asked Sarah to tell us a little bit about herself and how she came up with the design for the 2012 Steppin’ Out  t-shirt.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: One of my professors, Meaghan Dee, used the t-shirt design competition as an extra credit assignment.

Q: What inspired your design?

A: I was sitting in front of Henderson and started to sketch and I think that the Lyric is a well-known part of downtown Blacksburg so I used that street in my sketches of possible t-shirt design and ended up using that in my final drawing. The green frog I used in my design was inspired by my mom because her favorite color is green and frogs are one of her favorite animals.

Q: Have you ever attended Steppin’ Out before? Will you be attending this year?

A: I have attended Steppin’ Out for the past three years but unfortunately will not be able to attend this year.

Q: When do you graduate?

A: I will graduate in Spring 2013.

Q: Anything else you would like us to know?

A: I have been drawing and creating things for as long as I can remember. My whole family is artistic. When we were little my mom let us watch Pappy Land which is a children’s show about drawing and creating art. Art is my passion. I love animals I have a cat named Kitty and a dog named Lola.

Steppin’ Out t-shirts are a fundraiser for Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. and the proceeds go directly into helping to pay for the festival entertainment each year. The Steppin’ Out t-shirt has become a collectors item and each year the t-shirt is ordered from  several countries worldwide in addition to being sold in downtown Blacksburg before, during and after the festival.

2012 sees the 32nd annual Steppin’ Out and will include 230 arts and crafts vendors, over 40 downtown stores and restaurants on the the streets and three stages of live entertainment. For the first time ever there will be extended stage time on Friday August 3rd featuring a late night Zydeco Party with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience until 11pm.

 For more details about Steppin’ Out 2012 please visit our website: http://blacksburgsteppinout.com/index.shtml

Interested in submitting a design for the 2013 Steppin’ Out t-shirt?A $500 prize will be awarded to the winning designer. Details of the contest will be announced by September 1 on  www.downtownblacksburg.com.

 

16 restaurants, 7 days, one town!

Blacksburg’s first annual Restaurant Week, presented by Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. and The Blacksburg Partnership, begins Monday, June 18 through Sunday, June 24. Sixteen local restaurants are participating with various deals for lunch, dinner, and treats.  Discover a new restaurant or visit your favorites for mouth-watering specials. Venture out for an office luncheon, a fun girl’s night, a special date, or a family outing with a movie at the Lyric Theatre.  Check out the dishes and deals of Blacksburg Restaurant Week!

For more information, please visit http://blacksburgrestaurantweek.wordpress.com, “like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BlacksburgRestaurantWeek, or follow us on Twitter @bburgrestaurant.

List of Restaurant Week Specials

LUNCH
Cabo Fish Taco│ Cabo Fish Tacos or Serrano Chicken Tacos│ $6
Next Door Bake Shop│ Choice of Gourmet Sandwich + Thai Iced Tea│$8.50
Our Daily Bread│ Entrée + Drink + Pastry│ $9.95
Sal’s Italian Restaurant│ Sandwich + Fries + Soda│$6.95
Wikiteria Market & Cafe│ Gourmet Burger + Fountain Drink (Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm)│ $6

 

DINNER
Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill│ 3 Course: Salad + Bacon-wrapped BBQ Shrimp + 5 oz. Sirloin│ $13.99
Cabo Fish Taco│ Margarita with Purchase of Entrée (Mon.-Thur. until 9pm) │$1
Café de Bangkok│Authentic Thai Platter Dinner Set│ $15
Castle’s Kettle and Pub│ “A Taste of Ireland”: Entree + Pint│ $12
Champs Sportsbar & Café│ Sandwich, Wrap, or Burger + 16 oz. Draft Beer (5-9pm)│$8
El Rodeo South Main│Dinner for 2: Appetizers + Texas Fajitas + Churros Dessert + Sodas│ $20
Gillie’s-│Local Greens  + Pan Fried Trout + Rice│ $14
India Garden│3 Course Dinner of $25 value for only $17
Preston’s Restaurant│Shrimp Appetizer + Flat Iron Steak Entrée +  House Made Ice Cream+ Glass of Wine│ $40
Sake House│Miso Soup + Salad + Rice + Gyoza + Shrimp Tempura + Yakitori + Sushi +Drink │$19.95
Sal’s Italian Restaurant│ 3 Course: Antipasto Italiano + Pasta + Entrée + Glass of Wine│ $42.95

 

SWEETS & TREATS
Bollo’s│ Scone + House Mug│$2.50
The Chocolate Spike│ Sampler of Dark, Milk, or Combo Chocolates│ $10

Thank you to our sponsors:  Mix 100.7, 105.3 The Bear, 107.1 WPSK, 16 Blocks Magazine, Flavours Magazine, Out & About Advertising, The Lyric Theatre

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Please tell us about your favorite Restaurant Week experience in the comments below!

Performing Fleas, Water Wars, Carnival Rides and more!

The 5th annual Summer Solstice Fest and Carnival is coming and this year will include TWO DAYS OF SUMMER FUN in downtown Blacksburg!

Friday June 22
Carnival by Brinkley Entertainment will be located in the First Church of God Parking lot on Lee Street. Featuring fairground rides and games for all ages. 5-10pm
Cabo Fish Taco Beach Party

Saturday June 23 1pm-12midnight
Summer Solstice Fest
Featuring Dog Parade, Petting Zoo, Downtown Sundown 5k Run, Beer Garden, Food, Live Music, Burnt Creative Indie & Vintage Craft Fair,Carnival, Sand Sculpture Contest,Water Wars, Wing Eating Contest,Festival foods, fun filled games and activities brought to you by your favorite local non profit groups, and so much more.

The event will take place on Main St. between Roanoke St & Washington St, Lee St. between Church St & Draper Rd. and Draper Rd between Roanoke St and Kent Square Parking Garage.

STAGE SCHEDULE
1pm PanJammers
2:15pm Belly Dancing
3pm Badunkafunk
4pm Dog Parade
4:45pm Electric Woodshed
6:15pm Animal Antics with NRV Varmints ( A Fun, Educational look at a variety of birds and reptiles)
6:30pm Wing Eating Contest sponsored by Sharkey’s, P.K.’s & Café de Bangkok
7pm Animal Antics with NRV Varmints
7:15pm The Alliens
9pm The Key West Band
11pm Fire Show by Becca in the Beer Garden

Albert Flea Circus Performances at 2:30pm, 4:30pm & 6:30pm

WDBJ Onsite Schedule:
WDBJ7 will be onsite throughout the festival- stop by and see them on the corner of Lee St and Main Street, outside Starbucks!
1pm-4pm Brent Watts will emcee on stage
4pm-9pm Orlando Salinas will emcee on stage

Cumulus Radio Broadcast Schedule:
WSPK, The Bear & Mix 100.7 will be live onsite throughout the day.
WPSK  1pm to 3pm
Mix  100.7 3pm to 5pm
The Bear 5pm to 7pm

Scott Stevens and Caroline Cook from WPSK will emcee on stage from noon to 4pm.
Kerry Taylor will emcee on the stage from 3:30pm until 6p.
Drez will emcee on the stage from 5:30 to 7:30p.

Summer Solstice Fest is a DEQ Certified Virginia Green Event

SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST  sponsored by the New River Valley Apartment Council
• Sculpting will begin at 1pm and end promptly at 4pm.
• Voting will be conducted by the general public from 4pm – 7pm at the designated voting table.
$1 per vote. Winning entry will be announced at 7:30pm and receive a cash prize of $200.
ANY QUESTIONS: please contact Stephanie Weeks: 540-951-1221 or smweeks@foxridgeapts.com
Download the Sand Sculpture Contest registration form here: http://www.downtownblacksburg.com/summer_solstice_fest.aspx

DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN 5K RACE.  This year the race will start and finish on Draper Road in front of the the stage in the heart of the festival! Packet pick-up and race day registration: Begins at 3pm on race day. The registration table is located on the Alexander Black House Lawn on Draper Rd. Race day registration for the event will close promptly at 7:15pm. The race begins at 8:30pm , download the registration from here: http://www.downtownblacksburg.com/summer_solstice_fest.asp
Race proceeds benefit: Blacksburg Cross Country & Track & Field Programs & Summer Solstice Fest

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Freedom First Credit Union, Mike & Sue Drzal on behalf of LeClair Ryan, Wireless Zone, Dr. Steve Jacobs, WDBJ7, NRV Macaroni Kid, Cumulus Radio, Town of Blacksburg, Shelor, It Works, PK’s, Sharkeys & Cafe de Bangkok, Cabo Fish Taco, NRV Varmints, Tech Bookstore, Firehouse Pizza, Leslie Hager-Smith

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Get ready for Summer Fun in Downtown Blacksburg!

Graduation is over and summer is almost here so mark your calendars now for Summer Fun in Downtown Blacksburg.

 Cash Mobs
Having fun with a different sort of flash mob…..a Cash Mob. We all go to a local business on a specific date and time and give them an extraordinary amount of patronage! Then we’ll all go and get to know each other over a drink or snack at one of our local watering holes! No need to spend a ton of money, but just join in by being a patron of any level. A real way to be a true part of our downtown community.
Next Cash Mob-May 23 at 6:02pm. There will be a Cash Mob every month all year round!
Follow @CMdtblacksburg on Twitter for updates

ARTCRAWL and Spoken Word Celebration- Friday, June 1
Writers Reading at Cafe de Bangkok 4:30-7pm
Readers Schedule:
4:30 Beth Wellington, activist poetry
4:45 Michael Abraham, fiction from his new book, Providence, VA
5: 00 Elias Simpson, VT MFA 2012, poetry
5:15 Elizabeth McCommon, wise woman, actress, essay
5:30 George Norton, agricultural economist, essays on 3rd world poverty
5:45 Anna Hawthorne, humorous essay
6:00 Chelsea Adams, poetry
6:15 Kathy Coleman, coal region storyteller, and former storytelling ambassador to China

ArtCrawl with Scavenger Hunt, 5-8pm
Participating Galleries include:
Bollo’s Gallery- Work by George Wills
Community Arts Information Office- featuring work by members of the Blacksburg Regional Arts Association
Capone’s Fine Jewelers – works of art by the former director of The School of the Visual Arts, Truman Capone and custom made jewelry
Eucalyptus Massage Center Gallery featuring work by Knic Umstead
Gallery at Mish Mish featuring work by Julie Hawkins
Gillie’s Gallery-Artist to be announced
John’s Camera Corner- OLD Blacksburg Photos, Pictures by Earl Palmer, and Blacksburg Postcards
Kent Jewelers – Work by Serjo, world renowned Brazilian artist
Main Street Inn Gallery- featuring work by Holly Cromer
Matrix Gallery-featuring work by wood turner, Trev Smith
The Artful Lawyer A Fine Gallery Inc., (housed at The Creekmore Law Firm) -featuring the work of Dale Goorskey, Ellen Braaten, Charlotte Chan, Jen Richter, and Jenny Huffman.

Color College Avenue
May 19, 10am-2pm
Virginia Celebrates Minds Wide Open, Children and the arts in the New River Valley.
Children will create a beautiful painting on College Avenue before it is repaved. Latex paint will be used. Please bring your own paintbrush or roller. Event will take place on College Avenue in front of the Lyric Theatre and is FREE and OPEN TO ALL!
Sponsored by Lyric Council, Blacksburg Regional Art Association, Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech.  

Alexander Black House Movies on the Lawn Series
Friday, May 18, 2012- The Adventures of Tin Tin
Friday, June 8, 2012- The Muppets Movie
Friday, July 13, 2012- Puss in Boots
8:30pm until 11:30pm
On the Lawn of the Alexander Black House

The Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation and Log Cabin BBQ present movies on the lawn of the Alexander Black House. The movie begins at dark but arrive early, bring your blankets and chairs and purchase some delicious Log Cabin BBQ before the movie. For something lighter, enjoy popcorn on us!
In the event of rain, the movie will take place the following day.
Thank you to our partners: The Blacksburg Partnership, Downtown Blacksburg, Inc., National Bank, Real Life Dental Care, Starshine Events, and the Lyric Theatre.

Blacksburg Restaurant Week- June 18-24

7 days.
16 restaurants.
One town.

Blacksburg Restaurant Week will showcase the diverse culinary culture of Blacksburg’s local restaurants – from Thailand to Mexico -from vegetarian to sweets and treats. Whether you’re looking for a family meal, girls’ or guys’ night out, a great date, or a business luncheon come check out the dishes and deals of Blacksburg Restaurant Week! The first annual Blacksburg Restaurant Week is brought to you by Downtown Blacksburg Inc. and The Blacksburg Partnership with support from The Lyric Theatre, Flavours Magazine, 16Blocks, Out & About, Mix 100.7, The Bear 105.3 and 107.1 WSPK.

Don’t miss out! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The 5th annual Summer Solstice Fest and Carnival is coming…. June 22-23
TWO DAYS OF SUMMER FUN in downtown Blacksburg

Friday June 22:
Carnival by Brinkley Entertainment 5-10pm located in the First Church of God Parking lot on Lee Street. Featuring fairground rides and games for all ages.
Cabo Fish Taco Beach Party

Saturday June 23:
Summer Solstice Fest
Featuring Carnival, Dog Parade, Downtown Sundown 5kRun, Beer Garden, Food, Live Music, Burnt Creative Indie & Vintage Craft Fair, Sand Sculpture Contest, Alberti’s Flea Circus, Water Wars, Dancing and so much more. Wing Eating Contest sponsored by Sharkey’s, PK’s and Café de Bangkok. The event will take place on Main St. between Roanoke St & Washington St, Lee St. between Church St & Draper Rd. and Draper Rd between Roanoke St and Kent Square Parking Garage.

Summer Solstice Fest is a DEQ Certified Virginia Green Event

To get your application for the New River Valley Apartment Council 2012 SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST and the Downtown Sundown 5k Race please visit our SUMMER SOLSTICE FEST Website

Thank you to our sponsors: Freedom First Credit Union, Mike Drzal on behalf of LeClair Ryan, Comcast Spotlight,  Dr. Steve Jacobs,  Shelor Motor Mile, Wireless Zone, Town of Blacksburg, Amerigroup VA Inc., It Works! Independent Distributor, NextThreeDays.com, NRV Macaroni Kid, WDBJ7, & NRV Varmints

Art at the Market
Saturday July 21, 9am-2pm
Come and celebrate Blacksburg’s vibrant arts community during Art at the Market on the lawn across Draper Rd. from Market Square Park. This exposition of unique works will showcase local artists in all visual media. The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Breakfast at the Farmers Market. This family event features wonderful local food, live music and the best produce the farmers have to offer. Make it a family affair and take in some art along with your breakfast! Calling all artists- download your application form here!

ART AT THE MARKET website

Thanks to our Sponsors: Fringe Benefit, The Lyric Council, Matrix Gallery and Mish Mish

Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. PRESENTS 32nd Annual Steppin’ Out
August 3-4, 2012 from 10 am until 10 pm. Steppin’ Out features over 200 artists and crafts people from around the United States selling unique handcrafted items – jewelry, pottery, textiles, metal work, basketry, stained & fused glass, yard art, fine art, furniture, toys, artisan foods and so much more!

Downtown Blacksburg merchants also hold their much-awaited final clearance sidewalk sales during Steppin’ Out. And those festival foods you love are provided by downtown restaurants.

Admission is free! Town of Blacksburg metered parking is all free and Blacksburg Transit provides free shuttles to get you there without the hassles. Bring your friends! Bring your family!

But please don’t bring your pets. Steppin’ Out gets crowded so leave your dog at home OR in the Canine Corral on the Henderson Lawn on College Ave.

Three stages of live performance make Steppin’ Out one of this region’s premiere arts events. Complete performance schedules will be posted a few weeks prior to the festival on this website.

The Draper Mile is on Friday at 6:15 p.m., starting and ending on Draper Road, with the finish in the heart of the festival area.

STEPPIN’ OUT Website

T-Shirts on sale now at:

Heavener Hardware

Mish Mish

High Peak Sportswear

Campus Emporium

Fringe Benefit
T-shirts may also be purchased directly from our website here.

Thanks to our Sponsors: The Roanoke Times, National Bank of Blacksburg, Amerigroup VA Inc, Main Street Inn, Vacation Village Resorts,  NextThreeDays, NRV Macaroni Kid, WDBJ7,

Up on the Roof
Don’t forget to meet Up on the Roof of Kent Square Parking Garage the last Thursday every month (April through Sept), 5:30-8pm on the rooftop of the Kent Square parking lot. The event was originally designed to bring fun locals, grad students and professionals together for the purposes of socializing and enjoying our downtown venues. Food, beer and vodka mixers are available with a $5 donation! Reusable cups are $1. Live Music sponsored by Blacksburg Live Music. Blacksburg is a great place to be! Downtown Events Inc., the non-profit that produces of Up on the Roof, is first and foremost a social organization with a mission to connect newcomers, locals and creative professionals in Blacksburg. Come and join us! Be Local. Be Social.

Blacksburg Farmers Market
June 6 – first Wed music
June 23 – Solstice Chef
July 4 – first Wed music
July 21 – Breakfast at the Market

Market hours for April- October:
Wed, 2 – 7 pm
Sat 8am – 2pm

Summer is coming- see you downtown! Tell us which is your favorite Summer Festival in the comments section below.

Girls Can Do ANYTHING!

On Saturday April 28 at 12:30pm The Lyric Theatre will be the place to be- the place to release your inner princess! The event will take place to mark the end of the first annual National Princess Week celebration which was recently announced by Julie Andrews. National Princess Week serves to highlight Julie Andrews longtime dedication to nurturing every child’s unique spirit, as demonstrated throughout her career on stage, screen and through her children’s book endeavors.

Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. and The Lyric Theatre present their own, slightly modified,version of a National Princess Week activity with their “Girls Can Do Anything” event. The focus for this event is that of “Girl Power”, celebrating the princess like qualities in all girls- strength, ability, loyalty, service and creativity.  The website “30 Ways to Celebrate National Princess Week” includes fun, light hearted activities including practicing a royal wave or perfecting your curtsey. The Girls Can Do Anything event places emphasis on the activities relating to the more admirable qualities of modern day, real life princesses. The site recommends learning about our modern-day princesses and what causes they support and being charitable; suggesting that you pick a charity or cause you are passionate about, and make a donation or offer to volunteer.

The charity chosen to benefit from this special event was The Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley- a non-profit, human service agency with the purpose of providing programs and services to adult and child victims of domestic and sexual violence.

The event will begin with an opportunity for participants to meet and talk with “Girls”  from many career paths- from Town Council member to Police Officer; from Paramedic  to Baker; from Engineer to Veterinarian. A real chance to find out first hand about the many and varied educational and career opportunities which are available to all girls. The event will conclude with a showing of the movie “The Princess Diaries”. With plenty of fun including a “Princess Power Walk” around the stage open to all who wish to participate, and an overriding message to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF,  the Girls Can Do Anything event is not to be missed. See you there!

Schedule

12:30pm Doors Open

12:30- 1:15pm Crafts, cupcakes&  activities in the lobby&  the theatre, chat with “Career Girls” from all types of jobs and backgrounds

1:05pm Science Spectacular Show- by Alma Robinson, VT Physics teacher

1:15pm Princess Power Walk on the Lyric Stage- all are welcome to join the parade! Trumpet Fanfare provided by Mr. Jim Flowers.

1:30pm Welcome- by Pat Brown from the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley,  Raffle drawing followed by the Movie- “The Princess Diaries”

Career Girls

Susan Anderson           Blacksburg Town Council & Senior Math Instructor

Ania Bozek                VT Student&  Womanspace Leader

Pat Brown                   Womens Resource Center

Meghan Byrnes                Veterinarian

Aivey Charoensombut-amorn           Baker & Restaurant Owner

Pie Charoensombut-amorn             Chef & Restaurant Owner

Catie Davis                         Physical Therapist, Amedysis Home Health

Ashleigh Dunn                       Doctor/Professor

Sydney Gay                         Physicians Assistant, Lewis Gale Montgomery

Monica Goyanko                      Registered Nurse

Leslie Hager- Smith                 Vice Mayor, Blacksburg Town Council

Michele Johnson                     Target Employee

Jessica Jones                       Founder: Burnt Creative Market

Anne McClung                        Planning and Building Director, Town of Blacksburg

Kumbie Madondo                      CDC program evaluator consultant

Rachael Morris                      School Based Clinician at NRV Community Services

Cecile Newcomb                      Blacksburg Town Council

Erin Purdy                          Blacksburg Police Department

Alma Robinson                       Physics Teacher

Stacey Schellhammer        Flight Nurse for Life-Guard, Air medical Helicopter

Alyssa Seidorf                      VT Student&  Womanspace Leader

Ashley Smith                        Civil Engineer

Ellen Stewart                       Farmer

Sarah Walker                        Paramedic Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad

Tickets are $5 and are available in The Lyric Theatre box office and in Next Door Bake Shop. Proceeds to the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Next Door Bake Shop, Target, Ameriprise Financial- Smith & Associates, Blacksburg Junior Women’s Club, NRV Macaroni Kid, WDBJ7, Nest Realty, Susan Anderson

Believe in yourself! Only then can you truly let your sparkle out for all the world to see!

For more details visit our website or our Facebook page

Cash Mob!

UPDATE: NEXT Blacksburg Cash Mob- Tuesday April 17 at 5:53pm. Meet in Market Square Park. Please like our new Facebook Page and follow us on the  Cash Mob Twitter @CMdtblacksburg

Second  Blacksburg Cash Mob took place as part of National Cash Mob Day on Saturday March 24 at 11:32am. Meet at Market Square Park in front of the mural! Greenhouse Boardshop and Cafe de Bangkok were the two businesses chosen for this Cash Mob event!

First Blacksburg Cash Mob- met Thursday March 8, 5:48pm, meet at Market Square Park (Farmers Market) under the shelter. The store visited was Homebody and the Restaurant was The Cellar.

It’s the craze that’s sweeping the nation and it’s coming to Downtown Blacksburg! To further complement our efforts on Small Business Saturday, and our BUY EAT LIVE local campaign we are joining a very recent phenomenon and starting Cash Mobs downtown. The downtown Cash Mobs are coming soon and we hope that you will chose to join us in this chance to show our local small business owners how much you appreciate your downtown. Check out the Cash Mob Blog – we are already listed as participants and our countdown to the next Cash Mob clock is ticking on our website.

The Plan

1) The Cash Mob will meet at the announced time and location

2) The specific business to support will be revealed and the Cash Mob will shop there

3) The After Mob will share a celebratory drink or snack at the assigned local restaurant

Cash Mob rules for participants

1. Spend up to $20 (of course you may spend more if you wish)
2. Meet three people you didn’t know before
3. HAVE FUN!!!

Cash mob rules for coordinator

1). The mob date must be announced at least a week in advance via Twitter. (Follow CMdtblacksburg for our Tweets!)

2). The location at which to meet will be announced, but not the specific business to support until the Mob meets at the arranged time and location.

3). The business owner must give back to the community in some way. (All merchant members of DBI regularly give back to our community through donations of time, goods and money to many causes.)

4) The cash mob will occur during the evening on a weekday or on a weekend.

5) Parking or public transportation must be available. (For parking details visit Downtown Parking, For public transportation options visit Blacksburg Transit)

Source: cashmobs.wordpress.com

Join our Facebook event page

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