CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
HORTICULTURE HELP. On Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Wytheville Farmers Market, 210 W. Spring St., the Mountain Empire Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions about horticulture. Information will be given about saving seeds for flowers and vegetables. Discussions will take place on the strengths and failures of gardening and landscapes, including the importance of Soil Testing. The event is free. All are welcome.
PLANT-BASED COOKING SCHOOL. On Monday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 pm, a free plant-based cooking school will be held at the Wytheville SDA Church, 1600 Chapman Rd, Wytheville. The group is learning ways to prevent, reverse, and/or improve pre-diabetes and Type II diabetes one bite at a time. This month food samples will focus on "Potatoes, Etc.". For more information, contact Joya Cleveland at 276-617-2875.
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.
HAPPENINGS
HUNGRY MOTHER MUSIC IN THE PARK. Hungry Mother State Park’s free Music in the Park series will concluded with Huber & Merz bringing eclectic acoustic music on Sept. 4 to close out the season. Bring a chair or blanket to the gazebo.
USED-BOOK SALE. On Friday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the little red bookshop behind the Wythe County Public Library, 300 E. Monroe St., Wytheville, the used book sales are continuing. Note that there will not be a sale on Saturday, Sept. 5, since the library will be closed for the holiday weekend.
LABOR DAY FEST. Saltville’s 55th Annual Labor Day Celebration will run from Sept. 4-7. The Friday, Sept. 4, schedule includes Rick Stumbo and the Dirt Creek Band at 6 p.m. and Kiser & Company at 8 p.m. Saturday’s schedule features the Labor Day Parade at 11 a.m., Soul Sandwich at 4 p.m., The Uptown Party Band at 6 p.m., Top Notch, the Ultimate ZZ Top Experience, at 8 p.m., and fireworks at 10:15 p.m. Sunday’s schedule features Out of Nazareth at 4 p.m., Nancy White at 5 p.m., Lighthouse Baptist Church at 6 p.m., Ric & Brad at 7 p.m., Valley Grass at 8 p.m., and Ray Wolford, at 9 p.m. Monday’s schedule features Ivy Road at 4 p.m., From the Edge at 6 p.m., and HunterGirl at 8 p.m.
BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER. American Legion Post 18 will host a breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 8-11 a.m. at the post home, 107 Laurel Springs Rd., Marion. The menu will feature biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cereal, juice, milk, and coffee.
BLOOD DRIVE. An American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place on Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Marion.
PATRIOTS DAY CEREMONY. The Town of Marion is organizing Marion’s 25th annual tribute to area veterans, servicemen and servicewomen, emergency services personnel, law enforcement personnel, and their families for a special day of community activities on Friday, Sept. 11, beginning at noon at the Marion Fire Hall, 231 West Main Street, in downtown Marion. Local law enforcement, emergency services, and fire agencies are invited to bring apparatus and other vehicles to display along Main Street. Marion VFW Post 4667 will present the Colors. American Legion Post 18 Commander Mark Chaney will be guest speaker for the event. For additional information, contact Chief Richard Keesling at rkkesling@marionva.org.
9/11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY: A 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m., at the Wytheville Meeting Center, 333 Community Blvd. There will be a 25-year memorial program to Remember 9/11, a day that changed America. The program is open to the public.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FALL IN LOVE HARVEST EVENT. Marion is planning a fall fest including pumpkin painting, a community painting contest, fall photo book at the LOVE sign, dance performances, bubble machines, music at more on Sept. 19 in the downtown beginning at 10 a.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
