Smith Mountain Lake News » Entertainment: Attractions

Concert at Still Waters Coffee House

Paul Moore — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:01:16 +0000

If you live in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia and have never visited Bedford’s Still Waters Coffee House, this is the perfect time to do so.

On Friday, December 11th at 8:00pm. at the Still Waters Coffee House you can enjoy the music of Riddle on the Harp, a talented performing group of 3 local women. The ladies play a variety of music suitable for all ages. Some of it they have written themselves, some is Appalachian, Celtic, etc. They play a wonderful mix of instruments including the flute, mandolin, fife, and pennywhistle.

While you listen you can bask in the warm atmosphere of Still Waters, drink a hot cup of tea or coffee, visit with a friend, and snack on freshly baked food from their ovens. Sounds like an absolutely charming way to spend the evening!

You may find them at

117 S. Bridge St.
Bedford, VA 24523

An Old Fashioned Christmas

Paul Moore — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:35:37 +0000

This is an event you won’t want to miss if you live anywhere near Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. It sounds like one of the most creative and enjoyable events of the season.

Christmas in Old Virginia will take place on December 5th at 3pm. at the Booker T. Washington Monument in Hardy, Va.

Step back in time and enjoy the cuisine, smells and visions of Christmas in the city in a by-gone era. The performance will include candlelit costumed tours, activities for the children, mulled apple cider, gingerbread, other tasty treats….and much more.

This re-enactment is based on Booker T. Washington’s memories of Christmas in the mid-nineteenth century. The admission is free, so bring the whole family and have a fantastic visit to Christmas past.

Christmas at the Zoo and More

Paul Moore — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:09:53 +0000

November and December at Smith Mountain Lake are full of delightful events and family oriented fun. Maybe you would like to treat yourself to a Thanksgiving meal prepared by a professional chef or perhaps visit the zoo at Christmas. Whether you are feeling traditional or are ready for something unique, there is something going on for you and your family this holiday season.

Benjamins at The Pointe Restaurantis having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day Buffet on Thursday Nov. 26th from Noon to 6pm. A delectable array of homemade, traditional Thanksgiving cuisine, featuring assorted desserts by Pastry Chef Susan “Mama Sue” McGehee. Reservations required, so call today! Children 6-11yrs. $8.95 and adults $16.95. Visit http://www.marinerslanding.com or call (540) 297-4900 for more info.

Bring the entire family on November 28, 2009 and enjoy a day of all things fun and fall at Mariners Landing Fall Festival. From Noon to 5pm. you can enjoy homemade brunswick stew, apple cider, bonfire with smores, kids facepainting, games are more! Free admission. http://www.marinerslanding.com or (540) 297-4900 for more information.

Brooks Mill Winery will celebrate the holiday season with an Open House Saturday and Sunday November 28 & 29 from 10am-5pm. You may find all you need there for your gift and holiday needs. www.brooksmillwinery.com 540/721-5215.

Opera Roanoke and Mill Mountain Zoo invites you to share the holiday spirit with the animals at “Caroling to the Animals”. Saturday, December 12th from 4-7:30 PM. Admission $5/person or $8 for the whole family! For information call Opera Roanoke at 982-2742 or Mill Mountain Zoo at 343-3241.

Make your plans early for our Holiday Light Tours at the Lake! Executive Town Car & Limousine Service, will keep you safe while enjoying the season and holiday parties. Visit the “Smith Mountain Lake” page on our totally new website for specials and big announcements at www.etclimo.com Happy Holidays!

Mariners Landing Holiday Calendar

Paul Moore — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:41:14 +0000

The Mariners Landing Resort Community is one of the beautiful and entertaining spots you can visit at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Not only is it a marvelous place to live, but it also offers year round events that are great for the whole family.

This season you can make a note on your calendar of the upcoming activities/ festivities and join in the fun. Some of the things on tap for this fall and winter are their Annual Fall Craft Show, Thanksgiving Day Buffet, Fall Festival, Dinner with Santa, and New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring musical entertainment by Dragonfly!

You can take a look at their Special Events Calendar at www.marinerslanding.com/calendar. There you will find more details and if you wish you can even become a Mariners Landing Facebook Fan.

Fiddlin’ For the Free Clinic

Paul Moore — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:53:47 +0000

Exciting news for all you bluegrass and country music lovers at Smith Mountain Lake and surrounding areas. On November 14th at Franklin Co. High School Auditorium there will a concert to benefit the Franklin County Free Clinic.

Who will be performing? Bluegrass legend Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice will be the highlight of ”Fiddlin’ for the Free Clinic”. There will also be music from several area bluegrass bands and health and safety booths available that provide health care screenings. This will be part of the Free Clinic’s all-day expo to raise awareness about the clinic and to encourage donations to keep the clinic running.

Tickets for the concert are $5, with all the proceeds going to the clinic. For more info. call 540-489-7500 ext 5. Anyone interested in making a donation to the Free Clinic of Franklin County can also call that number or mail a donation to the clinic at:
200 Dent Street, Suite C
P.O. Box 764
Rocky Mount, VA, 24151

With growing numbers of people affected by economic distress the Free Clinic has added expenses in trying to keep offering services at little to no cost to persons in need. This concert will not only help the Clinic and those in need of their help, but also promises to be a ton of fun for those of you who love music.

Halloween Fun For the Big Kids

Paul Moore — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:50:20 +0000

For all you youthful adults out there at Smith Mountain Lake, Va. looking for some healthy fun on October 31st, don’t despair. There are a couple of great sounding events for you this Halloween. Best of all you can do some good for others while you have a blast yourself. Fun doesn’t get any better than that.

On the morning of the 31st there is the “Frank & Stein Poker Run”, from 8:30am to 1:00pm. The Community Partnership for Revitalization is hosting the first annual Frank & Stein Poker Run. Registration will begin at Edible Vibe (a great little cafe) in Downtown Rocky Mount at 8:30am. Motorcycles will leave at 10:00am for a the 60 mile round trip route stopping along the way to draw cards and enjoy refreshments. The event will also end at Edible Vibe with a hot lunch provided and an awards ceremony. Come enjoy the beautiful weather! For info. call 540-489-3825 or email
director@historicrockymount.com ($25.00 per bike or $30.00 for couple $10.00 for extra poker hand Fee includes, lunch and t-shirt).

Then on the eve of October 31st at 7pm. you can have a howling great time at the 12th Virginia Dare Halloween Bash. Enter the costume contest for prizes on this beautiful cruise ship, or just come socialize and enjoy the view. The $12 at door goes to an excellent cause. The event helps to provide pet food for 4-legged furry companions of the aging (CVAAA). Call 540.297.7100 for further information.

Chili Festival Time Again

Paul Moore — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:56:25 +0000

Amazingly it is already time for the 7th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Chili Festival, something many of us look forward to all year. This year for some reason it seems like it was just yesterday we enjoyed the 6th Annual Festival. But that’s okay since it is such an enjoyable occasion.

This year the Chili Festival is also a Craft Festival, which should add fun and variety to the experiences of the day. When is the big day? November the 7th on the lakeside at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, near the Hales Ford Bridge. It will begin at 11am. and go until 4pm. with the chili tasting starting at Noon. Tickets are $5 for adults, kids under 6 are free and you can buy the tickets at the gate or at the SML Visitors Center.

Enjoy a full-day event featuring music, crafts and a spectacular competitive chili cook-off. Trophies will be awarded for “Best Chili,” “People’s Choice,” and “Showmanship.” It’ll be a hot time at Smith Mountain Lake.

For more information, official rules and contestant application forms visit www.visitsmithmountainlake.com or you can call 540–721-1203.

Wine and Moon Beams

Paul Moore — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:28:26 +0000

Some folks think summer is the best season at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, but for me, all the best things take place in the fall. Hickory Hill Vineyard’s Wine and Moon Beams is a perfect example.

On October 24th from 6 to 10pm. you can spend an evening under the stars at Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery’s with Astronomer Jim Schauberger. A professional astronomer, Jim is scheduled to be on hand with his telescope. Live music is planned until nightfall and time for star gazing. Kids are welcome and it’s all FREE. Bring blankets, chairs and picnic. More info. at www.hickoryhillvineyards.com or call 540-296-1393.

Win Prizes, Go Racing and More

Paul Moore — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:58:06 +0000

One of Smith Mountain Lake’s newest businesses is Pure Spa at Mariners Landing. They are planning an extremely fun event as their Grand Opening Ceremony on October 9th from 11:30 till 1pm. There will be a drawing for a fantastic prize package that will include a free night at Mariners Landing, dinner at Benjamin’s at the Pointe, and a couples massage at Pure Spa. Hor d’oeuvres will be served from Benjamin’s at the Pointe and there will be free products, discounts, etc. A most delightful event.

Then also on October 9th from 7 – 9pm. you won’t want to miss the Footlights of the Blue Ridge, a tradional heritage bluegrass music series in Rocky Mount, VA. Footlights will feature James Riley & the Bluegrass Messangers. For pricing and other information you can call (540) 489-3825 or email director@historicrockymount.com.

On Oct. 17th you can enjoy the Rotary Clubs Fall Fundraiser: Night at the Races. This event will be held from 5:30 to 10pm. and tickets are $30, available from the SML Chamber of Commerce.

And don’t forget the Tree of Life Ministries “Dinner Theatre” on Friday & Saturday Evenings October 9 & 10; 16 & 17 Dinner Begins at 6:30 pm, Show Begins at 7:00 pm in Lynchburg and this comedy sounds like a lot of fun. For tickets and other info. contact Dale Webb dale@tolm.net. You can also visit their website at http://www.tolm.net.

FREE Family Movies

Paul Moore — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:34:59 +0000

Too few communities offer family oriented activities and while Smith Mountain Lake does well at having the occasional family function, we could certainly use more of them. The W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center, in partnership with Franklin County Parks and Recreation, has gone together to create just that, a great opportunity to spend fun time as a family.

I am excited about ”Movies at the Amp,” a FREE family movie event at the 4-H Center’s Willard Amphitheatre. It will be a little like going to the drive-in but more fun since the whole family can sit around a picnic blanket, chat, and eat snacks, all while watching a good movie together.

We should all show up with the kids and have a fantastic time. They will be showing ”Aliens in the Attic” on Friday, October 16th at 7:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, and make a memory.