Community Calendar
CHURCH
FUMC FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULE: First United Methodist Church,115 S. Church St. in Marion, will hold its food pantry on the fourth Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. January through October and on the third Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. in November and December. Dates are September 22, October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS. The annual Blessing of the Animals service will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Emily Edmondson presiding. The ceremony will take place on the front lawn of Christ Episcopal Church on Main Street in Marion. A monetary donation or pet food for the Smyth County Humane Society /Smyth Animal Rescue will be appreciated.
HAPPENINGS
FALL IN LOVE HARVEST EVENT. The new Fall in Love Harvest event will take place in downtown Marion on Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day is expected to include fall and family activities, entertainment, and more.
CHILHOWIE APPLE FESTIVAL. The 72nd Chilhowie Community Apple Festival will take place Sept. 19, 25-27. The festival pageant will take place on Sept. 19 at Chilhowie High School. Baby Miss, Wee Miss and Tiny Miss pageants will be at noon. Little Miss, Petite Miss, and Young Miss pageants are set for 2 p.m., and the Pre-teen Miss, Jr. Miss, and Miss Apple Festival pageants will begin at 4 p.m. Traditional festival activities will occur Sept. 25-27 with the grand parade on Saturday at 10 a.m.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
BATTLE OF SALTVILLE. A reenactment of the Battle of Saltville Stoneman’s Raid on the Salt Works and living history exhibits will take place Sept. 18-20 in Saltville. Friday is a special education day. On Saturday and Sunday, the camp opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. On Saturday, the battle reenactment begins at 2 p.m. On Sunday, it will begin at 1 p.m.
100 YEARS OF MUSIC. The MacDowell Music Club is celebrating its 100th season (1927-2027). On Sept. 21, the community is invited to join the celebration at 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church on Main Street in Rural Retreat. George Bailey, vocalist, actor, general manager and producer of numerous musicals at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theater in Wytheville, will present the free program. Everyone is welcome.
KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST. The Kiwanis Club of Marion will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 26, at First United Methodist Church in Marion from 7-10:30 a.m. The cost is donation only. Proceeds help fund projects for children and youth in Smyth County.
OCTAGON HOUSE FUNDRAISER. A hot dog lunch, bake sale and multi-family yard sale will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise funds for the Octagon House. The events will take place at the Adwolfe Fire Department, 104 Thomas Bridge Rd. in Marion. Table rentals are available for $10. Call Rita Blevins at 276-783-2160 to make a reservation.
CABARET GALA. Theatre Bristol's "Pot of Gold" fundraising event returns this year celebrating founder Cathy DeCaterina with a night of Broadway music and entertainment in a Sept. 26 cabaret gala. For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS FALL FESTIVAL. The Grayson Highlands Fall Festival is set for Sept. 26-27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature local, old-time bands, apple butter making, and other Appalachian traditions. A variety of food vendors will be on site. There’s a $5 entry fee plus the standard $10 parking fee.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION MOVIES. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, a special series of films tied to the American Revolution will be shown for free at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. On Sept. 27, the Lincoln will show All for Liberty. “A South Carolina farmer is drawn into the Revolution, fighting to defend home and independence.” All the movies will be shown at 2 p.m.
WALK TO RECOVERY. Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems will host its third annual Walk to Recovery on Sept. 28 at noon in the Saltville Town Commons.
RECOVERY DAY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL. Smyth County Recovery Court’s National Recovery Day Candlelight Vigil will take place on the Smyth County Courthouse steps on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7-8 p.m. The event strives to remember those lost to addiction/overdose and raise awareness that there is hope in recovery. Attendees are asked to wear purple, the recovery color.
MOBILE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE. Food City is partnering with Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) in support of the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience, which tells the story of Virginia’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. From Patrick Henry’s 1775 cry, “Give me Liberty, or Give me Death” to General George Washington’s victory at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, all Virginians played critical roles in the sacrifice, strife, and ultimate earning of American independence. “Out of Many, One: The VA250 Mobile Museum Experience” tells their stories – and America’s history, made in Virginia. The newly built VA250 Mobile Museum was specifically designed to include pertinent content relative to Southwest Virginia’s heritage. The VA250 Mobile Museum will be open to the public free of charge at Marion’s Food City on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
BUSINESS BOOT CAMP. Pop Up Marion Entrepreneur Development Boot Camp will take place on Thursdays in October from 6-9 p.m. at Marion Town Hall. This award-winning program has trained hundreds of business owners. The next class begins Oct. 1. Anyone interested is welcome to attend this five-week class and learn business basics, including how to write a successful business plan. Businesses opening in the Town of Marion are eligible to compete for a share of $15,000 in grant funds to help kick start a new venture. Pre-register by emailing kheath@marionva.org. The program is free.
SALTY BIRD FEST. The third annual Salty Bird Festival, a family event celebrating wild birds in Saltville, is set for Oct. 2-4. On Friday, Oct. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., members of the Holston Rivers Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists will talk about the well fields as a bird habitat and popular birding site. On Saturday, Oct. 3, a bird walk and learning stations will be set up at the Food Country parking lot. Bob Riggs and Elaine Sharpe will lead a walk, for kids and adults, through the well fields beginning at 9 a.m. Visit tables from 9-11:30 a.m. for information, games, and prizes. A bird walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 4, 8:15-9:30 a.m. Meet at the Food Country parking lot. Members of the Bristol Bird Club will lead the walk through the well fields. Get more information at wmnholstonrivers.com/salty-bird-festival.
AUTUMN MARKETPLACE. The Chilhowie Lions Club will host its Autumn Marketplace on Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 116 Industrial Park Rd. Vendor spaces are $25. For more information, email chilhowielions@gmail.com or call 276-685-9480.
MOLASSES FEST. The Whitetop Molasses Festival will take place on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Mount Rogers Fire Department. The event will include chicken dinners, Hobo pies, and apple butter. Jars of molasses will be available for purchase. Live music.
BARN 2 RUN. Appalachian Sustainable Development will host its second Barn 2 Run four-miler walk/run on Monday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. Setup starts at 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear favorite fruit/ veggie gear or farming coveralls. The first 100 people to register are guaranteed a race T-shift. Snacks and water will be provided plus prizes for winners. Pets are welcomed on a leash only. The event will be held at The Meadows Sports Complex, 78 Cook St. in Abingdon. Fees: early bird (ends Sept. 21), $35; On Time (Sept. 22-Oct. 4), $40; and Day of Event, $45. Individuals can participate virtually but won’t be eligible for a T-shirt.
CHILI CHAMPIONSHIP. The 40th annual Downtown Chili Championship featuring Chase Payne will take place in Marion on Oct. 10. The event will feature an antique and crafters fair, a kids zone, and food trucks. Chili winners will receive custom trophies.
SCARECROW LANE. Families, schools, businesses, churches, community groups, and the like are welcome to enter the annual Scarecrow Lane. Each participant must provide a custom-made (not commercially made) scarecrow and display that fits in a 3ft. x 6ft. area. 3D scarecrows/displays must be free-standing. If requested each 3D entrant will be provided one straw bale (delivered to assigned location) on set-day. All 3D scarecrows must be no wider than 3 feet and be placed as close to the assigned building as possible. 2D Scarecrow/Displays must be able to be hung on glass by removable adhesives - scotch tape, command strips, glue dots, etc. Email kheath@marionva.org for an application/more information. Cost is $25 per scarecrow, payable to Marion Downtown. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. Set up day is Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Online voting begins via Marion Downtown Facebook page and ends at noon on Oct. 29. Winners will be announced and displays must be cleaned up by 3 p.m. on Oct. 30.
HALLOWEEN MADNESS. Halloween Madness will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Broad Street and at participating businesses. This annual trick-or-treat downtown event brings hundreds of little ghosts and goblins out in costume for a time of candy and treats followed by classic Halloween movies at the historic Lincoln Theatre. To participate in the trunk-or-treat portion on Broad Street, email kheath@marionva.org to reserve a space at no charge.
MARION HOLIDAY MARKETS. The Marion Thanksgiving Market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Marion Farmers Market, while the Christmas Markets will take place on Nov. 28, and Dec. 5, 12, and 18. Email cstickley for an application.
GOBBLER GALLOP. The annual Albano Classic 5K Gobbler Gallop is set for Thursday, Nov. 26.
MERRY MARION. The Merry Marion downtown open house and Community Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 3. The tree lighting will be at 6, with downtown businesses staying open late to showcase seasonal offerings and specials.
MARION CHRISTMAS PARADE. The Marion Kaleidoscope Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. along Main Street. Lineup will take place on South Main beginning at 6. There is no fee to participate, but all entries must be decorated and any candy given away must be handed out and not thrown from vehicles for safety.
BINGO. The Smyth County Moose Lodge continues to offer bingo every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
MEETINGS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. The Marion group of Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Use the Court Street (rear) entrance for Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Main St., Marion. For more information, call Fred C. at 276-280-1995 or Russ G. at 276-617-2663.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS. Narcotics Anonymous’ Marion survivors group will meet at 8 p.m. Sundays. Come in the back door at Court Street to Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Main St., Marion. For more information, call Mike F. at 276-646-8462.
SALTVILLE RECOVERY. A Saltville 12-Step Recovery meeting will be held on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Madam Russell United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall, 207 W. Main St.
