A little “peace” of heaven just off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Pilot's Perch Cabins

Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention

Galax Fiddlers Convention Stage

Every year old-time and bluegrass musicians travel from all over the world to Galax, VA to compete in the Old Fiddler’s Convention. Galax has hosted this granddaddy of the fiddler’s conventions nearly every year since 1935. Folks flock to Felts Park in Galax to play or simply enjoy great old-time mountain music. The 2023 convention, … Read more

Raffaldini Vineyards, a Little Piece of Italy

Raffaldini-Villa

Raffaldini Vineyards is a great destination for those who are looking for a little piece of Italy. The Italian villa affords magnificent views of the 100 acre estate and the distant Blue Ridge Mountains. The Raffaldini Villa and Estate Jay Raffaldini started his vineyard in 2001 partly in an effort to provide a gathering place … Read more

Serre Vineyards

Serre Vineyard Sign

Serre Vineyards is a nice little gem of a winery less than 30 minutes from Fancy Gap. If you’re looking for a peaceful, tucked away winery close by, Serre provides a good watering hole. Drink some wine or beer, listen to live music, or just toss some cornhole. Views by a Fire Pit Warm up … Read more

Mayberry Days

Mayberry Courthouse

Mayberry Days is a festival celebrating small town America as depicted on the Andy Griffith Show. It’s an annual celebration held annually the last weekend of September. This year’s festival will be held in Mt. Airy, NC from September 18-24, 2023. There’s lots to take in for fans of the show, with the activity centering in … Read more

Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Championship

smoking meat

On July 22 and 23, Galax, VA will host the annual Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Championship, Virginia’s official state BBQ championship. Smoke on the Mountain – The Food Although Galax is best known for its old-time and bluegrass music, the city becomes a BBQ haven of sorts every third weekend in July. Many of … Read more

Hiking Grayson Highlands State Park

Fabio at Grayson Highlands State Park

Grayson Highlands State Park is a beautiful park in far southwest Virginia. You can see for miles atop bald peaks that provide 360 degree long-range views. Grayson Highlands State Park is probably best known as home to a herd of hiking companions, wild ponies that roam the park helping to keep growth down in the … Read more

HoustonFest

Banjo Picker

NOTE: The Galax Volunteer Fire Department has announced that the 2023 HoustonFest would be the last one. It will no longer be held. Every year the city of Galax hosts HoustonFest, a festival of song and service in honor of Galax firefighter Houston Caldwell, who died in a car crash on April 30, 2010. About … Read more

Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention

Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention Silhouette

The Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention, officially known as the Blue Grass & Old-Time Fiddlers Convention, brings together musicians and fans for two full days of competition, jam sessions, dancing, singing, education, and family entertainment. This popular festival, established in 1972, is dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music, as well as dance. The Fiddlers Convention features … Read more