Smith Mountain Lake is a wonderful place to set your anchor for great fun. No matter the season, there’s a good reason to come to Smith Mountain Lake to relax, kick back and enjoy yourself. Contact the Visitor Center at 800.676.8203 or 540.721.1203 to find out more about the following events scheduled for this year.
2011 Calendar of Events
April
April 29 – 8th Annual SML Business Expo Sponsored by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, this annual event showcases member businesses, service providers and their products. Public invited. Held at Downtown Moneta.
April 30 – Rockin Brews & BBQ’s an annual spring ‘music, food and fun’ event in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Held at Downtown Moneta, Route 608 and 122, Noon – 5 p.m., Saturday, April 30. $5 Admission, Children 12 and under free.
May
May 7 – 14th Annual SML Triathlon
Come participate or cheer your favorites in swimming, biking and running events at the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park located in Huddleston off of the Smith Mountain Lake State Parkway (Route 626).
May 7 – 24th Annual Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake Cleanup Day This event marks the 24th annual lake-wide clean-up effort. Volunteers from the entire community get involved in sprucing up the lake and shore for the coming summer season. Volunteers can register individually, as a group or organization. Call the Smith Mountain Lake Visitor Center for more information at 540.721.1203.
May 13-15—Pigg River Ramble The Pigg River Ramble is a 3-day whitewater packed weekend full of excitement and adventure. You can race against other Ramblers or simply float for fun down the Pigg River. Friday, May 13, 2010 at 9:00pm kicks off the Pigg River Ramble weekend with the fun of a night-time float on the Blackwater River with the “Blackwater Blackout.”
Saturday, May 14, at 10:00am the Annual Pigg River Ramble kicks off with a competitive style float down the Pigg River, with canoeists/kayakers from all over the East Coast.
Sunday, May 15, at 7:00am Breakfast on the Blackwater starts off with a homestyle breakfast and wraps up the weekend with one more float down the Blackwater River. Info: www.franklincountyva.org/parks 540-483-9293
May 23 – 15th Annual Corporate Cup Golf Classic
The opening of the spring golfing season at the lake is a much-anticipated event by golfers from the surrounding communities. The tournament will be held Monday, May 23rd at The Waterfront Country Club. This prestigious annual event is an excellent way to showcase your company, meet new business prospects and entertain top clients – all while enjoying a day of relaxation on one of the area’s finest golf courses.
May 20, 21 – Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run
Special charity event that involves playing poker from watercraft. Prizes are awarded for both winning and losing hands and best “decked out” boat and crew. The Poker Run is dedicated to good fun and all proceeds go to a worthy cause. Other special events surrounding the Tom Maynard Poker Run weekend include a welcome dinner with entertainment as well as a special boating safety orientation class.
June
June 18 – Juneteenth Celebration at Booker T. Washington National Monument
Freedom is the focus of this emancipation celebration for the whole family. Tour the Burroughs Plantation – music performed by local gospel groups. Free admission. www.nps.gov/bowa, 540-721-2094.
July
Independence Day Celebration – July 2nd(Raindate-July 3)
Loaded with fun, entertainment and grand fireworks for all to see, this major event takes place at Parkway Marina in Huddleston to celebrate our nation’s independence. No Pets will be allowed on the Point!
September
September 16 & 17 – Smith Mountain Lake Antique and Classic Boat Show
In and out of the water antique and classic boats, a display of antique automobiles and a great selection of quality craft vendors. The event will be held at Mariners Landing in Huddleston, VA. For more information contact SMLRCC at 800.676.8203 or visit www.woodenboats.net.
September 24 and 25 — 23rd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival This amazing weekend event includes 28 Virginia wineries participating offering their finest vintages. Try wine tastings, more than 85+ quality food and craft vendors plus live entertainment— it’s one of the lakes truly GRAPE events!
October
October 7, 8, 9 – Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour Visit eight beautiful waterfront homes reflecting a variety of architectural and decorating styles. Tour the featured homes by car or boat.
October 15 — A Night at the Races, The Rotary Club of Smith Mountain Lake’s Fall Fundraiser will be held Saturday night October 15, 2011, at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Conference Center. This will be a very exciting evening of trumpets blaring, horse racing, dinner, refreshments, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, race card winner’s drawing for prizes, and even a woman’s hat parade and contest.
November
November 5 – 9th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili and Craft Festival
Enjoy a full-day event featuring music, crafts and a spectacular competitive chili cook-off, with awards for Best Chili, People’s Choice and Showmanship! Held at Bridgewater Plaza, it’ll be a hot time at Smith Mountain Lake. Savor the essence of fall with ‘chili…just the way you like it’ at the Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili & Craft Festival. The event is slated for Saturday, November 6th at Bridgewater Plaza. This will be the eighth fall event sponsored by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce and it captures the best of everything with plenty of activity, great chili for tasting, craft vendors, awards and a beautiful lakeside setting.
November 26 – 13th Annual Virginia Dare Flotilla for Toys Christmas Boat Parade
An evening event, with a parade of boats ‘decked out’ for the holiday season with lights and displays. The boats leave port from the Virginia Dare Marina at 7 p.m., travel to Halesford Bridge at Bridgewater Plaza, circle past the SML State Park and return to the Virginia Dare Marina. This event is a local toy drive with all gifts distributed by the Lake Christian Ministries.