Festivals along the Blue Ridge Parkway celebrate music, holidays, TV icons, BBQ, arts, crafts, old cars and antiques. Here are a few we suggest adding to your trip planner, starting with July 4^th:  

July 4th Festivals on the Blue Ridge Parkway

At FGCC: At 9 pm on July 4th, join us at the overlook a short walk down the Blue Ridge Parkway from the campground and motel. Bring a chair so you can watch the fireworks displays below us in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. During they day, relax and enjoy the peace, quiet and natural beauty.

Hillsville, VA: Travel ten miles north of the campground to Hillsville, VA for a genuine hometown, patriotic celebration. The parade starts at 4 pm followed by music, games, food and fireworks at the VFW.

Galax, VA: On July 4, sponsor a duck for the annual Galax Fire Department Great Duck Race at 10 am. Winning ducks are worth cash prizes. At 7 pm in downtown Galax, line up for the parade and then make your way to Felts Park for fireworks.

Independence, VA: Get yourself over to Independence, VA for their annual 4^th of July festival that starts at 10 am. Stay all day for the food, activities parade and fireworks.

Fries, VA: Fries annual Independence Day festivities start at 2 pm with the parade and continue in the ball park until the last firework goes up.  

Ongoing Summer Fun

• The Blue Ridge Music Center, just ten miles south of Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground, hosts summer concerts in their outdoor amphitheater. They also host music with local blue grass musicians from noon to 3 pm. Make sure to visit the museum and enjoy their trails. Click for details.
• Second Saturday Classic Car Cruise Ins and Concert Series in downtown Hillsville starts at 5 pm on Main Street followed by concerts behind the historic courthouse at 7 pm. Bring chairs. Food is available as well as family games and lots of opportunities to dance. Click for details.

Annual Festivals

• Memorial Day Flea Market, Hillsville, VA. Click for details.
• FloydFest, July 23 to 27, always features an amazing line-up of music groups representing a wide variety of genres. Click for details.
• Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Festival, July 25-26, Galax, VA, is tagged as barbecue with altitude. BBQ lovers are not going to want to miss this. Click for details.
• Rosen up your bow and put on your dancing shoes for the annual Old Fiddler’s Convention, August 4-9, Galax, VA. Click for details.
• There is nothing like an old time fair like the Carroll County Agricultural Fair, August 20-24, Woodlawn, VA. Click for details.
• Labor Day Flea Market, August 29 to September 1, Hillsville, VA. Click for details.
• Mayberry Days, September 22-28, Mt Airy, NC. Click for details.
• Autumn Leaves Festival, October 10-12, Mt. Airy, NC. Click for details.

Fall Fun

Beyond the Autumn Leaves Festival in Mt. Airy, there are so many fun, fall activities near us:

• 17th Annual Sunflower Maze at Doe Run Farm Ararat, VA, September 27 to November 2, features a real sunflower maze, bounce pad, apple launcher and pumpkin bowling. That’s not all. There’s also a slide, corn hole, pick-your-own sunflower field, fresh produce, pumpkins, apple pies, and other snacks and drinks. For more information, including admission fees, visit their website.
• Matthews Living History Farm at 476 White Pine Rd, Galax, VA, has a full calendar of events in September and October. Visit their website for details about tours, demonstrations, pumpkin carving and other events.
• Chili Shoot Out in Hillsville, VA, September 27, in the courthouse square located downtown.
• Hillsville Safe Halloween is Friday, October 31 downtown from from 5 to 8 pm. More information is available on the Hillsville website.
• The Farm at 769 Bray Ford Rd, Dobson NC, about a half hour south of the campground, is hosting a corn maze, pumpkin patch and family activities every weekend from mid-September through the first weekend in November. Click to learn more.

More To Do and See

Once you’ve had your fill of festivals along on the Blue Ridge Parkway, pick apples or other fruit in season at local orchards like Levering or Miss Angel’s. Also, take advantage of opportunities to hike, fish, golf or paddle. Enjoy the history of the area by visiting Mabry Mill and other historical stops. When you’re ready to rest up, choose one of the motel rooms, camping cabins, RV spaces or tent sites at Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground.