Get Outside Weekend Update -- 9/21-9/23

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are your weekend recommendations for what's going on OUTSIDE in and around the Roanoke, VA region.

Festivals, Events, & Outings

Thursday Night Ladies Ride - 9/20
Roanoke 7 Summits - 9/20
Letterboxing Hike - 9/20
MUSIC - Nick Moss and the Flip Tops at Blue 5 - 9/20
MUSIC - Todd Snider with Kevin Gordon at The Sanctuary - 9/20
MUSIC - The Shack Band at Martin's - 9/20
Friday Night Social Ride - 9/21
MUSIC - YARN at Martin's - 9/21
MUSIC - Tim O'Brien at Kirk Avenue - 9/21
FESTIVAL - Franklin County Civil War Days - 9/21 and 22
East Coasters Womens Ride - 9/22
A.T. Hiking Weekend - 9/22
Roanoke 7 Summits - 9/22
MUSIC - Bluegrass Concert at Explore Park - 9/22
Autumn Begins - 9/22
Fired Up for A Cure 5K/10K Race - 9/22
Johns Creek to Sinking Creek Hike with RATC - 9/22
Wetlands Walk - 9/22
Claytor Lake Sprint Triathlon - 9/22
MUSIC - Bebop Hoedown at Martin's - 9/22
MUSIC - April Verch Band at Kirk Avenue - 9/22
MUSIC - Red Baraat at Jefferson Center - 9/22
MUSIC - Talk is Cheap at Blue 5 - 9/22
Roanoke 7 Summits - 9/23
Coffee Pot Sunday Ride - 9/23
Falls Ridge (Guided Nature Conservancy Hike) - 9/23
Famous Monday Mountain Bike Ride - 9/24
Blue Ridge Wildflower Society Meeting - 9/24
Mill Mountain Night Rides - 9/25
Tuesday Tuneups - 9/25
Famous Tuesday Night Ride - 9/25
MUSIC - Ben Trout Band at Martin's - 9/25
Chicky Mountain Bike Ride - 9/26
Shoe Demo with 5.10 and Crimper's Climbing - 9/26
Basic Wilderness Survival - 9/26
7 Summits – Mill Mountain Hike with RATC - 9/26
MUSIC - Dirtfoot at Martin's - 9/26
MUSIC - Ministers of Soul at Blue 5 - 9/26
Thursday Night Ladies Ride - 9/27
Roanoke 7 Summits - 9/27
MUSIC - Larry and his Flask at Martin's - 9/27
MUSIC - The Big Lick Boptet at Blue 5 - 9/27
For even more events visit the complete Roanoke Outside calendar
For arts and culture events visit The Arts Council calendar

Pete's Picks! - What's my recommendation?

A lot of people think Explore Park is closed. Let's put some rumors to rest -- Explore Park is open, just not 100 percent.

Located at milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Explore Park’s 1,100 acres provide nature lovers the opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty and wildlife while hiking, mountain biking, or just strolling through the woods. The park’s IMBA-sanctioned 9 miles of mountain bike trails, a one-mile Foresters Interpretive Trail, and Rutrough Point on the Roanoke River are open for your enjoyment. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking on the Roanoke River can be accessed at Explore Park’s Rutrough Point at the end of Rutrough Road (which has a brand new put in/take out).

The outdoor areas are open year-round for your outdoor fun, the historical buildings and villages are not currently open.

This Saturday is a great day to explore Explore Park as you'll be rewarded with a bluegrass concert from 5 to 8 p.m.

Get Outside!

Pete Eshelman (friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter)
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership