Community Calendar
CHURCH
CHRISTIAN SKATING EVENTS. Let’s Roll, a free family skating event at Hall’s Skateland, 152 Adwolfe Road in Marion, will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 4-8 p.m. each day. The event will feature free food and drinks and skating. The program is hosted by The WAY (Who Are You) program, which strives to help youth recognize their need for Christ and upon receiving him, reinforce their identity in Christ.
GOD SO LOVED MUSICAL. An Easter season musical, God So Loved, will be presented on Saturday, April 25, at 6 p.m. at Marion Baptist Church. Marion Baptist and Joyful Noise choirs will present the cantata based on the biblical verse: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world, through him, might be saved.
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 April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. A National Day of Prayer service will be held on Thursday, May 7, at noon at the flagpoles in front of Marion's Town Hall. All pastors are invited to join the gathering to offer a prayer in this service that will observe this 75th anniversary of the commemoration. This year's national theme is "Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations," following 1 Chronicles 16:24. The community is invited to take part.
GOVERNMENT
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY. Smyth County residents may dispose of Household Hazardous Waste on May 2 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Smyth Career & Technical Center at 147 Fox Valley Road in Marion. Items accepted for disposal include paint, polish, varnish and paint-related materials; turpentine, adhesives, aerosol cans, household cleaners; motor oil, antifreeze, fuel additives, gasoline, transmission fluid; batteries, mercury, fluorescent light bulbs; pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and pool chemicals. Items that won’t be accepted include commercial and industrial waste, 55-gallon drums of materials, radioactive materials, explosives, bullets, and tires. For more information, call 276-646-2907.
CHILHOWIE WATER QUALITY REPORT. The Town of Chilhowie is making its Annual Water Quality Report 2025 available on the town website, https://chilhowie.org/. The link to the detailed report, which includes definitions to help individuals understand the material, is on the website’s home page. Individuals can also pick up paper copies at the Town Hall on request.
HAPPENINGS
FAMILY FISHING DAY. A Family Fishing Day will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Chilhowie Town Park. A hot dog lunch will be provided. The first 50 students to sign in will receive a free fishing rod. For anyone over 16, a fishing license with a trout stamp is required for all participants. Community partners will be present with information about their resources. The event is being hosted by Communities in Schools at Chilhowie Middle School.
GET TO KNOW THE MELUNGEONS. The Smyth County Museum on Main Street in Marion will kick off its free Sunday afternoon speaker series on April 19 at 2 p.m. The program will feature Isaac Freeman presenting on “The Melungeons”, one of Appalachia’s most intriguing and often misunderstood cultural groups.
SPRING CLEAN UP & CELEBRATE TRAIL DAYS. Two Spring Clean Up days will be held in Smyth County. On April 20 at 10 a.m., a community clean up will be held in Saltville for trash pick up and beautification along the Salt Trail, Helen Barbrow Trail, playground, and the well fields area. On April 23 at 10 a.m. a second event will be held in Chilhowie for trash pickup and beautification at the HL Bonham Tourism Center and Chilhowie Town Park.
MUSIC STUDENTS SHARE. MacDowell Music Club will meet April 20 at 7 p.m. at Rural Retreat Methodist Church. Local music students will provide the program. Everyone is welcome to this free program.
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 Sunday, April 26, April Morning will be shown. “As the first shots of the Revolution are fired, a young man witnesses the war come to his own doorstep.” Coming to the Lincoln on Sunday, May 31, will be The Crossing. “Facing defeat and dwindling hope, Washington leads a daring winter attack that changes the course of the Revolution.” 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.
FIBER ARTIST AT THE MAKERY. From April 29-May 2, fiber artist Jennifer A. Reis will be in residency at The Makery at the Chilhowie Library, teaching a series of classes on artful mending, folk art patches, and natural dying methods.
SCIENCE OF SOUND KIDS WORKSHOP. The Museum of the Middle Appalachians will host the free Science of Sound Kids Workshop on May 2 from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. The workshop is open to children ages 6-12 and gives kids a hands-on learning experience about sound. Learn more and register children at https://forms.gle/uhGpnYY4WeGztK6v6.
HOBART SMITH DAY. The Museum of the Middle Appalachians and Smyth County Chamber of Commerce will honor the legacy of renowned Saltville musician Hobart Smith at Hobart Smith Day, 129th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Saltville Town Commons. Live traditional mountain-style music from Taylor Hagood, Sula's Front Porch, The Boys from Bristol, and the Lua Project will help celebrate the occasion. The event is free and open to all. Bring a lawn chair.
CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT. A Civil War reenactment will be held on May 2 and 3 at Fairview Farm & Homestead, 908 Hillman Hwy, Abingdon. Admission will be $5 person. Food truck available both days. The event will feature camp life, period firearms, portrayals of Jefferson Davis and a snake oil salesman, cavalry, cannon station, camp surgeon, local historian storytelling, and more.
NHS BLOOD DRIVE. A blood drive will be held at Northwood High School on Monday, May 4, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. All donors will receive a T-shirt and a snack. Individuals can sign up in the main office. Walk-ins are also welcome.
FISH FRY FUNDRAISER. The Nebo Community Center at 1535 Havens Ridge Rd. in Ceres is hosting a Fish Fry Fundraiser on May 16. The event will start at 5 p.m. and go until the food runs out. The menu includes fish, fries, hushpuppies, slaw, and desserts. Dine-in or carry out. Cost is by donation. Proceeds go to the building repair fund.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on May 16 with Marcus Boyd; June 20 with Ro-Sham-Bo, Aug. 22 with Victor Lawson; and Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
OLDER AMERICANS DAY. The 23rd annual Older Americans Day will take place on May 21 at Chilhowie Town Park from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
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 From the Edge on May 23 at 6 p.m., The Chain (Fleetwood Mac Band) on June 6 at 7 p.m., and 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.
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.
