Community Calendar
CHURCH
CRAFTS & COLLECTIBLES BAZAAR. The Marion Baptist Church Crafts & Collectibles Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds will go to MBC Mission Projects. Table rental is $20 per table with three chairs. To reserve a space, contact Ann at 276-759-7787. The church is at 1258 N. Main St.
FALL YARD SALE. On Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a fall yard sale will be held in the Echo Valley School, 265 Echo Valley Road, Wytheville, down the road from the Wytheville SDA Church, which is hosting the yard sale. All sales are cash only. There will be a variety of vendors.
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 October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
TRUNK OR TREAT. Grosses Creek Baptist Church will host a trunk or treat with candy, games, a cake walk, and hot dog supper on Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
TRUNK OR TREAT. Chilhowie Christian Church will host a Halloween trunk or treat event on Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.
HAPPENINGS
PTSD 9-1-1. Mount Rogers Community Services Crisis Intervention Team will present PTSD 9-1-1 film screening and panel discussion on Oct. 14 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Marion’s Lincoln Theatre. The panel will include mental wellness experts, the film director Conrad Weaver, and special guests who appear in the film. The event is free for all first responders.
PULLED PORK FUNDRAISER. The Northwood High School Panther Pride Marching Band is offering a pulled pork dinner as a fundraiser on Wednesday, Oct.14, at the Saltville Volunteer Fire Department. Dinner service will begin at 4:30 p.m. and continue until sold out. Meals will primarily be available for carry-out, with limited dine-in seating available for those attending bingo. The $12 dinner plate will include a smoked pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, coleslaw, dessert, and a drink. For those who prefer a smaller option, pulled pork sandwiches will be available for $6, with slaw served on the side. A selection of homemade baked goods will also be available for purchase. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Northwood High School Panther Pride Marching Band, under the direction of Cameron Robison. Funds raised will help support the band’s performances, competitions, equipment and other program expenses throughout the season.
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.
MT. ROGERS FALL NATURALIST RALLY. Hosted by the Blue Ridge Discovery Center, the Mount Rogers Fall Naturalist Rally will take place on Oct. 16-18. Dr. Carrie Fearer, assistant professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, will serve as the keynote speaker and discuss Small But Deadly: How Pests and Pathogens Transform Our Forests. Tickets are $50 or $37.50 for members. Youth attend for free.
HERITAGE DAY FARM FESTIVAL. The Settlers Museum and 1890s Farm in Atkins will host its annual Heritage Day historic farm festival on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will feature demonstrations, hayrides, tours, music, nature and plants, 1890s school lessons, games, and museum-made apple butter. Learn more about the museum at www.settlersmuseum.com. The museum is at 1322 Rocky Hollow Road.
KIDS PALEONTOLOGICAL DIG. The Museum of the Middle Appalachians will host a Kids Paleontological Dig on Saturday, Oct. 17. Children will be grouped by grade level for age-appropriate activities. Sessions are limited to 20 participants each, therefore, early application is suggested to ensure participation. Group activities are led by students and professors in the ETSU Paleontology Department, the Gray Fossil Site, and the Museum of the Middle Appalachians. The morning session will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is for children grades 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The afternoon session is from 1-4 p.m. for grades 4th, 5th, and 6th. There is a $10 fee per child to participate in the dig. For more information, contact the Museum of the Middle Appalachians at 276-496-3633.
CHILD SAFETY DAY. The Saltville Volunteer Fire Department will host a Child Safety Day on Oct. 17 from 2-6 p.m. Ballad Health, the Saltville Police Department, Smyth County Fire & Rescue, and the Saltville Fire Department will help teach CPR, prepare child ID kits, and have certified technicians install child car seats. Free hots will be available.
MUSEUM SPEAKER SERIES. The Smyth County Museum 2026 Speaker Series will feature Patton Graham talking about the development of Marion’s North Main Street Area on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m.
GIFT OF GOSPEL MUSIC. Carpenters Coalition Quintet will present their program "Celebrating God’s Gift of Gospel Music" will be the program for the Macdowell Music Club meeting on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church on Main Street in Rural Retreat. Everyone is invited to this free event.
TRAIL OF TERROR. The Trail of Terror will return to Hungry Mother State Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 7-10 p.m. This event contains graphic content so discretion is advised for younger participants. Admission is $10 per person and the standard parking fee also applies. Limited cell service at the park may interfere with credit card payments so cash is recommended. No child drop-offs are allowed.
MUSTER GROUNDS STREAM CLEANUP. The annual stream cleanup at the Muster Grounds in Abingdon will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2-4 p.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of French Moore Blvd., where the cleanup will start. Upper Tennessee River Roundtable and Sustain Abingdon coordinate the annual cleanup to raise awareness about the need to care for local waterways. All supplies will be provided and volunteers will receive a special stream cleanup T-shirt and pizza. Anyone who plans to attend is encouraged, but not required, to sign up early by calling the Roundtable at 276-628-1600.
CHIL-HALLOWEEN TOWN. A free trick-or-treat event will be held on Main Street in Chilhowie on Oct. 29 from 5-8 p.m.
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.
TRICK OR TREAT. The Sugar Grove Community Council will host a Trick or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. at the Sugar Grove Volunteer Fire Department. There will be games, a costume contest, and pumpkin decorating contest.
RICH VALLEY FARM SHOW. The first Rich Valley Farm Show, a celebration of agriculture, community, and the future, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rich Valley Fairgrounds. The event will feature equipment displays, a Kids’ Corner, educational speakers and demonstrations, vendors and local business displays. Raffles will be held. Admission is $5 with children 5 and under are admitted for free.
WHISKERS AND WINNERS BINGO. The Whiskers and Winners Bingo event will help raise funds for the nonprofit Smyth Animal Rescue. The event will take place on Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. at Marion Senior High School.
HEAT SMART & FOOD SECURITY. Smyth County TRIAD will host a meeting on Heat Smart & Food Security on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center. Information will be presented by the American Red Cross, Chilhowie Fire Department, and the Department of Social Services. A free meal will be provided. TRIAD is a partnership of the Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, District Three, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Chilhowie Baptist Church.
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.
AVOIDING ONLINE LOVE & PHISHING SCAMS. Smyth County TRIAD will host a meeting on avoiding online love and phishing scams on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center. The information will be presented by the Virginia State Police. A free meal will be provided. TRIAD is a partnership of the Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, District Three, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Chilhowie Baptist Church.
PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY. Smyth County TRIAD will host a meeting on Protecting Your Legacy, including information on Virginia Deed Alert and Advanced Medical Directives, on Thursday, May 27, 2027, at noon in the Chilhowie Town Park. The event will be held in conjunction with Older American’s Day. TRIAD is a partnership of the Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, District Three, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Chilhowie Baptist Church.
DON’T FALL FOR FRAUD & UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS. Smyth County TRIAD will host a meeting on not falling for fraud and avoiding unlicensed contractors on Aug. 24, 2027, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center. A free meal will be provided. TRIAD is a partnership of the Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, District Three, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Chilhowie Baptist Church.
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.
Send your community event announcements to Stephanie at sportern@smythnews.com.
