CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER. For anyone who would like to become a Master Gardener, new classes will be starting in September and running until April 2027. For more details, contact David Danner, coordinator of the Mountain Empire Master Gardener Association, via phone at 276-223-7773 or via email at drdanner24360@gmail.com. Contact him asap. The deadline for submitting an application is June 19.
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 June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. Congressman Morgan Griffith’s Ninth District staff will be available at the Smyth County Administrator’s Office, Conference Room, Suite 100, 121 Bagley Circle, Marion, on Thursday, June 11, from 2–3:30 p.m. to assist constituents with federal matters. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk. If a county’s schools are closed, then its office hours will be closed as well. For more information, call the Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.
HAPPENINGS
HUNGRY MOTHER MUSIC IN THE PARK. Hungry Mother State Park’s free Music in the Park series schedule features Supper Break that will bring acoustic folk on June 12; Kirsten Haze will offer indie folk on June 19; Valley Grass will perform bluegrass and gospel on June 26; Morrison & Perkins, a cover band, will entertain on July 3; Ryan Ward will present solo and acoustic works on July 10; Maria Sherman will offer folk and rock sounds on July 24; Reed Fields will bring country and Americana sounds on July 31; Backwater Trio will offer bluegrass on Aug. 7; Kat Mills will perform acoustic folk on Aug. 14; Danger Ranger and the Galaxy Blues Band will entertain with blues, funky magical tunes on Aug. 21; Muscott will offer rap and hip-hop sounds on Aug. 28; and Huber & Merz will bring eclectic acoustic music on Sept. 4 to close out the season. Bring a chair or blanket to the gazebo on Lakeview Lawn at 7 p.m. Donations will go to support the Friends of Hungry Mother.
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY WORKDAYS. The final Caring for Our Community’s annual workday is set for Saturday, June 13. Days will begin at 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. with registration at Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 West Main St. in Marion. Each volunteer will be assigned to a work team upon arrival and set to their site, based on skills and interest, from there. All supplies and equipment will be provided. Businesses, churches, and other organizations are encouraged to form teams. A free lunch will be served at Marion Middle School, where many of this year’s projects will take place. Preregister at the CFOC website: caringforourcommunity.org. For more information, call or text 281-413-9473.
CARNIVAL. The Saltville-Rich Valley Lions Club Carnival will take place Wednesday, June 16, through Saturday, June 20. Ticket booths open at 5:30 p.m. Rides begin at 6 p.m. Park closes at 10 p.m. Unlimited ride specials nightly, arm bands are $25. The Club will provide food with proceeds being used for community services.
RALLY ON THE RIVER. The second Rally on the River will be held June 19-20 at the Chilhowie Town Park with a car and bike shows, inflatables for kids, craft and food vendors, and music provided by a deejay. Activities begin at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Salty at 276-780-7572.
TAPESTRY OF TALES. The Wythe-Grayson Regional Library and Goodwill Grange 959 will present "A Tapestry of Tales" free storytelling event featuring local storytellers and writers on June 19 from 1-4 p.m. at the Goodwill Grange, 840 Grange Hall Rd. in Troutdale. Come choose to hear one or more of the many stories being told by Evalynn Halsey, Deborah Clark, Steve Tilson, Fay Purkey, Danny Nettleton, Jeff Davis, Janis Reed, David Hauslohner, Meg McDonough, Tina Cunningham, Mickey Cunningham, and Traci Hitchcox. Library services, drawings for gifts, and refreshments will be provided.
ADWOLFE FD BBQ DINNER. The Adwolfe Volunteer Fire Department will host a BBQ Chicken Dinner on June 20 from 4-7 p.m. The meal will include half a BBQ chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, a roll, dessert, and a drink for a $15 donation. The meal will be held at the Adwolfe Community Center, 104 Thomas Bridge Rd. in Marion.
ONE DAY AT A TIME MUSIC IN THE PARK. Chilhowie’s One Day at a Time Music in the Park concert series offers free admission. This year’s lineup includes Carson Peters and Iron Mountain at 7 p.m. on June 20. Concerts are held at the Chilhowie Park. In the event of rain, they will be held at the Old High School.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on June 20 with Ro-Sham-Bo, Aug. 22 with Victor Lawson; and Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
JUNETEENTH. The Juneteenth Celebration in Marion will begin on Friday, June 19, when Entice will perform from 6-9 p.m. at the Marion Farmers Market on the corner of South Chestnut and Cherry streets. In case of inclement weather, the show will take place at the Lincoln Theatre. On June 20, a gospel celebration will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Riverbend Park. Latara Cross will emcee with various performers. A free community presentation on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held June 21 at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. Arthur “Scrapper” Broady, a speaker and storyteller, will offer a looking into King’s legacy by examining two of his most influential speeches, his “I Have a Dream” speech and his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Donations are not required but are appreciated to support the Mt. Pleasant Preservation Society, an organization dedicated to documenting and sharing the history of African Americans in Smyth County.
CABARET GALA AUDITIONS. 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. Vocalists are invited to audition on June 27 at Theatre Bristol, 512 State Street, Bristol, Tenn. Opportunities are available for women and men, and audition details, times and location, schedules, performance, audition forms, are provided at www.theatrebristol.org/audition. For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
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 June 28, the movie will be The Patriot. “In the chaos of the Revolution, a father must take up arms to defend his home and country. Finally, 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.
FOURTH CAR SHOW. On July 4, a car show featuring Beach Waves Radio will take place at Riverbend Park.
FIREMAN’S BASH. The Saltville Volunteer Fire Department will present the seventh annual Fireman’s Bash on July 5 in the Saltville Town Commons. Parade lineup is at 2 p.m. with the parade at 3 p.m. Live music begins at 4:30 p.m. featuring Kiser’s Company, 8 Second Ride, and Dirt Creek Band. Fireworks are set for 10 p.m. There will be food vendors, a foam party, inflatables, live music, giveaways, corn hole, and more.
BASEBALL & COMMUNITY FIREWORKS. Presented by Smyth County and the Town of Marion, a community fireworks display will take place following the Hungry Mothers baseball game.
YARD SALE/FLEA MARKET. The Chilhowie Lions Club will host a yard sale/flea market on July 11 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Table/space rental is $25. For more information, call 276-685-9480 or email chilhowielions@gmail.com.
MARION’S BIGGEST WEEKEND. On July 17, a downtown block party will feature Phantom. Then, on July 18, the Hungriest Mother Food Festival will take place featuring Boogie Woogie Jimmy Valiant. The evening will conclude with live music featuring Momma Molasses, Soul Sandwich, AGT’s Nuke Buschner, and Holy Roller.
HUNGRY MOTHER FEST. The Hungry Mother Festival will take place July 17-19. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
CHILI CHAMPIONSHIP. The 40th annual Downtown Chili Championship featuring Chase Payne will take place in Marion on Oct. 10.
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.
