Happy October and Head for The Hills month! If you are attending the annual Head for The Hills conference, take some time to explore the surrounding area and attend one or more of the events listed below. Events in the town of Abingdon that weekend include a trunk or treat, shopping at the Farmers Market, and a spooky Halloween party at the historic The Tavern restaurant! Fun fact: the Tavern began in 1779 as a tavern and in for stagecoach travelers, and it was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Famous guests who have stayed at the Tavern include Henry Clay, King Louis Philippe of France, and Pierre Charles L’Enfant, designer of Washington D.C.
Lee, Wise, & City of Norton
Happy October! The spookiest time of year is upon us. Before donning your Halloween costume, check out the famous Blue Highway Festival in downtown Big Stong Gap. Headliners of the festival this year include American Idol winner Chayce Beckham, The Castellows, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, and The Cleverleys. The festival runs from October 8th through October 12th. Visit http://www.bluehighwayfest.com for all the details and up to date info! Check out the link below for more events through the month of October.
Scott County
Gather your ‘Boo Crew’ and head to downtown Gate City for King Alleyween on October 24th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Stroll down historic King Alley for a free trunk or treat, activities for all ages, and a costume contest. Entry fee is required for the costume contest but overall first place wins $300! Explore the calendar linked below for more information on this event, as well as so much more!
Dickenson County
Stay up to date on all events by following the Dickenson County Tourism Facebook page.
Russell County
Follow the Experience Russell County, VA Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all the events happening in October!
Tazewell County
Check out the calendar below to see all the events planned for Tazewell County this month!
Washington County
Are you an aspiring writer or simply a fan of Stephen King? The Book Cellar is hosting a horror creative writing class on October 30th at 6:00 PM! Think up your best ghost story and learn the craft of writing spooky suspense. There are several other Halloween events this month, including a Halloween Tavern party and haunted walk through the woods at Rustic Roots Lavender. Explore the calendar below for more information.
City of Bristol
Check out the link below to explore Discover Bristol and all the events that October has to offer on the state line!
Smyth County
Let’s do the time warp! Sing along to The Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 31st at the Lincoln Theatre. The event starts at 8:00 PM, so don’t be late or you’ll be stuck in the rain like Janet and Brad! For little ones, trick or treat up and down Main Street in Chilhowie on October 30th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.
Wythe County
Are you a fan of Dr. Pepper? On October 19th from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in Rural Retreat, enjoy free Dr. Pepper and t-shirts to commemorate Dr. Charles T. Pepper, a surgeon and Rural Retreat native who the infamous soft drink was named after. Enjoy this niche piece of Appalachian pop culture history and crisp Dr. Pepper! More events are listed in the calendar linked below.
Grayson County
Observe the beautiful fall foliage and its many shades of red, orange, and yellow on a nature walk with the New River Wildlife Conservation Club. More information about this event, including time and meeting location, can be found linked in the calendar below. Don’t forget to bring your hiking shoes!
Carroll County & City of Galax
Live music, game nights, and trick-or-treats, oh my! Explore the link below to see all that Carroll County and the city of Galax have to offer this month. Enter your email at the pop-up box in the link to receive updates on all events.
Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium 