Saturday, October 20th at Smith Mountain Lake is going to be a grand place to be. There is so much fun to choose from that you will have trouble deciding which festivity to join. Will you go pet the Alpacas, learn about poisonous plants, listen to bluegrass, learn how to make apple butter, or some other exciting activity? Get the family together and see how many wonderful things you can pack into the day.

Oct 20 - Booker T. Washington presents Slave Cemeteries in Virginia - 2:00pm - Celebrate Archaeology Month with a lecture by Sweet Briar College Professor and Archaeologist Lynn Rainville about the research she has completed on slave cemeteries in two counties in Virginia. - Booker T. Washington National Monument, 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy - 540-721-2094 - www.nps.gov/bowa

Oct 20 - Fall Fiber Festival - 10:00am to 4:00pm - Featured at the festival will be an Alpaca petting zoo, needle felting, dying, weaving, art to wear fashion show, quilting, fiber art and painting arts along with pumpkins, mums and a bake sale. Demonstrations will be held hourly with artisan booths open all day. - Vermillion, Art for Living, Art to Wear, 13605 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta - 540-721-5995

Oct 20 - Apple Harvest Festival - Daylight till Dark - Come and join in the festivities at this years festival. Food, crafts, buggy rides, clowns, door prizes, apple butter making, live Bluegrass music. - Gross’ Orchard, 6817 Wheats Valley Road, Bedford Rt. 43 North of Bedford. - Free - 540-586-2436

Oct 20 - Peaks of Otter - Kids Fishing at Abbott Lake Dam - 9:00am to 11:00am - Kids ages 3 to 14 are invited to participate in the weekly Kids Fishing program at the Abbott Lake dam. We provide bait and tackle, or you may bring your own pole for luck. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway - 540-586-4496 - http://www.nps.gov/archive/blri/peaks.htm

Oct 20 - Peaks of Otter Panaceas or Poisons - 7:00pm - Park Ranger Megan Hash takes a medicinal look at some of Southern Appalachia’s wild plants. Join her to learn about botanical biodiversity of the Southern Appalachian and how native plants could help or harm. Following each evening program, join a National Park Service Ranger for an evening of nighttime exploration. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. - Peaks of Otter, Milepost 86, Blue Ridge Parkway - Free - 540-586-4496 - www.nps.gov/archive/blri/peaks.htm

Oct 20 - Trees, Tales & Tombstones - 10:00am to 12:00pm - Take part in this walking tour led by Jane White, Director of Old City Cemetery, and Tom Burford, nationally-recognized fruit tree historian. Enjoy the gorgeous autumn colors as you explore some of the unique trees, unusual tombstones, and stories of the cemetery. - Old City Cemetery, Meet at the Gatehouse near entrance of Fourth & Taylor Street, Lynchburg - $10.00 - 434-847-1465

Thanks to the Bedford Chamber of Commerce for making us aware of these events.