April
April 12, 13 – College East Super Regional Bass Tournament – Over 100 to 125 College teams from Texas to New York come to SML to compete for a chance to go to the Bassmaster Classic at Bridgewater Plaza, Moneta. Va. Tech alone has over 10 teams and bass fishing currently is the only nationally ranked sport that VA Tech has. Televised on ESPNU.
April 19, 20, 21 – (Oakley Tour) Blue Ridge Big Bass Classic Open Big Bass Tournament at Bridgewater Plaza, Moneta. Last year 269 anglers entered our first tournament. This year we expect 350 to 400 anglers. Registration is Friday, April 19 from Noon – 8pm. Entry Fee – $100 One Day Entry – $150 Two Day Entry. Grand Prize: 2013 Nitro Z7 valued at $25,000. Televised on WFN – World Fishing Network and Fox Sport West will be a new market for us.
April 26 – 10th 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 27 – 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 – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27. $5 Admission, Children 12 and under free.
May
May 3, 4, 5 – Optimist Club Fishing Tournament The 43rd Cave Spring Optimist Club Fishing Tournament participation may get a boost from the BASS Elite Series on SML that created excitement and turned up a bunch of bass. One advantage for Optimist anglers: they can fish at night if they choose. Held at Foxport Marina, at the mouth of Gills Creek on the Blackwater River. CATEGORIES: The competition is for the largest fish in categories for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, catfish, crappie and striped bass. PAYOFF: The tournament offers prizes that total $15,000. In each category, the heaviest fish is worth $1,000 in cash; second, $500; third, $300; fourth, $150.
May 4 – 16th 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 4 – 26th Annual Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake Cleanup Day This event marks the 26th 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 17 – 19—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 17 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 18, 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 19, 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
May 17, 18 – 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 15 – 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 — Thursday, July 4th, Downtown Moneta
Start the Fourth of July holiday in grand style. Enjoy the music of The Worx band from 6pm to 10 pm and then see our spectacular fireworks show! Food, drinks, children’s games and more will be available. All proceeds benefit Moneta Fire Department.
Independence Day Celebration – Saturday, July 6th(Raindate – Sunday, July 7)
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!
July 19, 20, 21 — Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days….All 3 counties Franklin, Bedford & Pittsylvania, surrounding Smith Mountain Lake, participate in creating a 3-D Pirate experience. The theme is simple and ‘family friendly’, a great way for area businesses to connect their marketing efforts to create a memorable Smith Mountain Lake experience.
September
September 13 & 14 – 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 540.721.1203 or visit www.woodenboats.net.
September 28 and 29 — 25th 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 11, 12, 13 – 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 19 — A Night at the Races, The Rotary Club of Smith Mountain Lake’s Fall Fundraiser will be held Saturday night October 19, 2013, 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 2 – 11th 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 2nd at Bridgewater Plaza. This will be the tenth 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 30 – 16th 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.
Additional Events: Many other events take place at Smith Mountain Lake throughout the year. Feel free to call our SML Visitor Center for an update of the latest lake happenings. Call 540.721.1203 for more information.
The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce sponsors the “Business After Hours” program for its members the third Thursday of each month from 5:00 -7:00 PM at scheduled business locations. “Business Before Hours” are also held periodically. The SML Regional Chamber of Commerce also hosts annual business educational seminars and other noteworthy events for the benefit of its membership. To learn more about the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, click on “Chamber of Commerce” on the website or call 540.721.1203.