CHURCH
OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY & ICE CREAM SOCIAL. On Sunday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold an Old-Fashioned Sunday and Ice Cream Social. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed for days gone by (hoop skirts to suits to bibs and aprons) as the church remembers generations of faithful servants who made today’s St. Paul possible. Immediately following worship, an Ice Cream Social will take place. Everyone with an ice cream maker is asked to bring a favorite flavor for all to enjoy. Hot dogs will be served. St. Paul is celebrating is celebrating its 250th anniversary. The church is the oldest congregation west of the New River and is the mother church of Lutheran congregations in Bland, Smyth, and Wythe counties.
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 July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
HAPPENINGS
HUNGRY MOTHER MUSIC IN THE PARK. Hungry Mother State Park’s free Music in the Park series schedule features Maria Sherman, who 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.
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. Additionally, the VA250 Mobile Museum will be in downtown Marion on July 18 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CANDIDATES. During the Hungriest Mother Food Festival, on July 18, candidates competing in the Democrat Primary for the right to challenge Rep. Morgan Griffith in November, will be in downtown Marion for a meet and greet with Smyth County voters. Candidates will be walking around downtown from 3-5 p.m. and will have materials available at a Democrat booth for neighbors who are interested in meeting these contenders.
STOWERS, HUFFARD, ATWELL REUNION. The descendants of William and Roxie Kitts Stowers and the descendants Huffard and Mattie Lamie Atwell will gather on Sunday, July 26, at Rural Retreat Community Center. Registration begins at 12 with lunch served at 1. Paperware and utensils will be provided. Please bring a dish and a drink to share.
BLOOD DRIVE. The National Night Out Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 3:30-8:30 p.m. at the Chilhowie Town Park, 192 Railroad Drive. All donors will earn a T-shirt.
SUMMER NATURALIST RALLY. The Blue Ridge Discovery Center will host the Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally Aug. 7-8. Learn more at blueridgediscoverycenter.org/mrnr-summer.
DE-FLEA MARKET. Smyth Animal Rescue will hold its second De-Flea Market on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marion Tractor Supply, 1291 N. Main St. Vendor registration is open at $15 for one space, $25 for two spaces. Local craft vendors are expected plus a BBQ lunch and adoptable dogs on site. Register online at bit.ly/3Iq6h7b or call 276-780-6620.
CAR SHOW & CRAFT VENDOR FAIR. Marion Senior High School is presenting its first Car Show & Craft-Vendor Fair on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will include a dunk tank, facepainting, concessions, a bounce house, prizes, and games. There’s a $20 registration fee for the 848 Stage St., Marion, event. Proceeds will benefit the school. For more information, email Kelli Hughes, principal, at kellihughes@scsb.org.
ARTS ON MAIN FEST. The Arts on Main Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 15 on Main Street in Chilhowie. Attendees can see art, do art, or buy art. Hosted by the Smyth County Chamber of Commerce and the Art Place, the event will have activities for all ages. Artists should register by Aug. 12 at $35 per spot. Nonprofit spots are free.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on, Aug. 22 with Victor Lawson; and Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
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.
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.
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.
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.
