Laker Events

MAY
3
Wednesday’s at The Pointe: A special three-course meal each Wednesday in May and June, 5:30-8 p.m. The Pointe at Mariners Landing. 540.297.4900, marinerslanding.com

Country Cruise: on the Southern Belle. Every Wednesday in May and June, 8-10 p.m.  Two-hour cruise with BBQ buffet and your favorite country tunes. 540.483.3881, southernbellecruises.com

4
Karaoke: at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza, every Thursday throughout the summer. 7:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

5
26th Annual Strawberry Festival: Elmwood Park, Downtown Roanoke. Through May 6. 540.563.5036

P. Buckley Moss at the Cottage Gate: Renowned artist will present a special painting of Smith Mountain Lake. 4-8 p.m. All purchases will be signed by the artist. Also May 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 540.721.5622

6
Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake: 19th annual Lake clean-up day. The entire community joins the effort in this cooperative program of three lake area organizations: SMLCC, TLAC, SMLA. Volunteer sites are established at various points throughout the lake region. For event information or to volunteer, contact SMLCC at 540.721.1203 or TLAC at 540.721.4400

9th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon: Starting at the SML State Park for 750 M swim, 20K bike and 5K run. 540.343.0987, commonwealthgames.org

38th Annual Cave Spring Optimist Fishing Tournament: through May 7. Open to the public for 53 hours of competitive fishing. Fish are all kept alive in tanks on the dock at FoxPort Marina. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance at FoxPort Marina, Campers Paradise, Virginia Outdoorsman or the Minnow Pond in Rocky Mount. A total of $15,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in six categories.

Bedford Blast: Youth Fair featuring interactive events including rock wall climbing, flying squirrel, live animals, archery and pellet shooting, bubble pool and more. 10 a.m.-3 p .m. at the Bedford Area Family YMCA. Free. 540.586.9401, bedfordareachamber.com

Lynchburg Gem & Mineral Day: Demonstrations of wire wrapping, gem trees, rock candles, geode cracking and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Coolwell Community Center, Madison Heights. 434.239.4347

7
Sunday Afternoon Historic Program: Try Your Hand at … Hop, Skip and Jump! Sing folk songs and learn a few dances and or games played in the 19th Century at the Kemp’s Ford School. Virginia’s Explore Park. Regular admission rates apply. 540.427.1800, explorepark.org

9
Shag Dance Classes: at The Pointe at Mariners Landing. 7-8:30 p.m. Also May 23 and May 30. $25 per person. Taught by Jim Harlow and Carolyn Thomas. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , shagdance.com

12
Breeze Brothers: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

Mad Agnes in Concert: A fusion of folk, pop and classical contrapuntal harmonies. 7:30 p.m. at the Bedford Central Library. 540.586.8911, ext. 18, friendsofbedfordlibrary.org

13
The Clue Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

BBQ Festival at Sedalia: Chefs and barbeque fanatics will meet and greet at this inaugural event. Family-oriented outdoor festival is open from noon-5 p.m., with judging and awards beginning at 3 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the gate. Music by High Ground, contemporary bluegrass band, beginning at 2 p.m. 434.299.5080, sedaliacenter.org

Mother’s Day Weekend at Hickory Hill Vineyards: Bring Mom to the winery and she receives a Hickory Hill glass of her own! Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it. Yard games for kids of all ages. Also May 14. Free. 540.296.1393, hickoryhillvineyards.com

Mother’s Day Weekend at Peaks of Otter Winery: Follow the back roads along the picturesque Blue Ridge for a taste of grandma’s fruit wine. Also May 14. Free. 540.586.3707, peaksofotterwinery.com

Tracy Lawrence: Country musician in concert at Cattle Annie’s, Lynchburg. Lawrence has more No. 1 Billboard country singles than greats like Glen Campbell, Keith Whitley, Ernest Tubb, Wynonna or Barbara Mandrell, to name just a few. Show starts at 8 p.m. with opening act, The Ranchhands. Club doors open at 7 p.m. 434.846.3206cattleannies.com

15
Masterworks IV: presented by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre. The stage will be filled with more than 300 vocal and instrumental musicians as the blockbuster season finale celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Roanoke Youth Symphony. The RSO, select RYSO alumni, students and chorus come together in beloved works by Mozart, Brahms, Borodin and Peck. RYSO Alumna and RSO member Abigail Pack will perform Gordon Jacob’s Horn Concerto. 540.343.9127, rso.com

19
UBU: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. Also May 20. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

20
Tom Maynard Memorial SML Poker Run: Boating Safety is the emphasis of this fundraising event for local organizations. The card game, played on the water, involves boating participants stopping at designated points to select playing cards. Card hands are revealed at the barbeque and awards ceremony. smlba.com

Go Red Race: 5K Run and 1 mile Fun Walk at Booker T. Washington National Monument, sponsored by Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital. 5K starts at 8:15 a.m. and 1 mile Fun Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Go Red is the American Heart Associations national campaign to raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the top killer of American woman. 540.489.6531, carilion.com

Artist Demonstration: by Betsy Cunningham Morgan, 1-3 p.m. at The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake, Bridgewater Plaza. 540.721.1596, littlegallerysml.com

Sandi Patty: in concert with  the Lynchburg Symphony. A 2004 Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee with 39 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, three RIAA-certified platinum and five gold recordings.  8 p.m. at E.C. Glass Auditorium. 434.845.6604, lynchburgsymphony.com

25
Fishing Workshop: Fishing Live Bait for Stripers. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Westlake Diary Queen. $20 in advance. Register at the Virginia Outdoorsman or call 540.721.4867

Civil War Medicine: Physicians, Conditions and Medicine: Lecture presented by Dr. Scott Garrett, Lynchburg surgeon and Civil War Scholar. 6:30 p.m. at the Bedford Central Library. 434.525.9781, library.bedford.va.us

26
12th Annual John Faber Memorial Photography Contest and Show: Sponsored by the Smith Mountain Arts Council. Reception and winners announced at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Ecumenical Parish. Show open to the public May 27 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 28, noon-5 p.m. 540.721.6109, smithmountainartscouncil.com

Featured Artist: Bob Ransley, through June 30 at The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake, Bridgewater Plaza. 540.721.1596, littlegallerysml.com

Tony James Project: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

Roanoke Festival in the Park: Through June 4, Elmwood Park. Music, crafts, art and much more. 540.342.2640

27
Sunset Saturday I: Concert Series at Hickory Hill Vineyards. Live music, dancing and wine. BGO will perform songs from the 50s through today, including beach favorites. Bring your chairs, blankets, and a picnic. 4:30-8:30 p.m. $5. 540.296.1393, hickoryhillvineyards.com

Encore: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. Also May 28. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

28
Food, Fiber and Flowers: Garden Tour at Booker T. Washington National Monument. Join an afternoon ranger-led tour of the park’s heirloom garden to learn more about gardening techniques and cultivated plant varieties and uses of the 1850s that Booker T. Washington experienced during his childhood slavery on the Burroughs Plantation. 540.721.2094, nps.gov/bowa

Uniting in Remembrance: Ceremony to observe Memorial Day at the National D-Day Memorial, Bedford. 11 a.m. Wreath-laying ceremony, music, special speakers, and the dedication of new plaques recognizing those who served during the Normandy invasion. Regular admission fees. 540.586.3329, dday.org

31
Mariners Landing Caribbean Festival: at the Pointe at Mariners Landing. Live music, delicious buffet, and festive beverages. Each Wednesday night through the summer. Call for pricing and details. 540.297.4900, marinerslanding.com

JUNE
1
Juneteenth Celebration: at Booker T. Washington National Monument. Music, food and children’s activities. Free. 540.721.2094, nps.gov/bowa

2
Love Notes – Signed, Sealed and Delivered: Concert presented by the Lakeside Singers. 8 p.m. at Trinity Ecumenical Parish. Also May 3. 540.721.1232

Breeze Brothers: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

3
Boomerang: Back to the Beach: The newest event at SML will feature music by Key West, Domino and The Kings from 1-8 p.m. at Parkway Marina. 540.721.1203, visitsmithmountainlake.com

Pigg River Ramble: 7-mile canoe race and fun float followed by an awards ceremony and barbeque. Includes categories for single, senior and tandem canoes, kayaks and flat-bottoms. 540.489.3825, historicrockymount.com

Crobar Cane (formerly Southbound): Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

Aspiring Anglers Junior Fishing Tournament: Catch the excitement as you learn to fish with the expert anglers at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Bedford County Parks and Recreation sponsors this fun day of fishing for residents of Bedord City and County. Includes knot tying, lure selection, casting, fishing session, fish safety and Bass Master’s casting contest. Lunch provided. Free for kids 5-14. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 540.586-7682, co.bedford.va.us

9
Martin & Wilburn: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

10
Artist Demonstration: by Kay Sutherland, 1-3 p.m. at The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake, Bridgewater Plaza. 540.721.1596, littlegallerysml.com

Whatever: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

14
Fishing Workshop: Fishing Plastics for Bas6:30-8:30 p.m. at Westlake Diary Queen. $20 in advance. Register at the Virginia Outdoorsman or call 540.721.4867.

Beauty and the Beast: Musical production at Mill Mountain Theater. Through July 2. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s musical extravaganza is filled with technical wizardry, special effects and illusions, as well as dazzling production numbers and memorable songs. Times and prices vary. 540.342.5740, millmountain.org

15
Identity Theft Seminar: Simple steps to take to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, presented by Jonathan Harris, network administrator for the Bedford Public Library System. 10 a.m. at the Moneta/SML Library. 540.297.6474, library.bedford.va.us

16
The Clue Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. Also June 17. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

17
Water Safety Day: at Bridgewater Plaza, sponsored by Carilion Health System. Water safety information provided by various Lake organizations. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact Julie Moore at 540.489.9622, carilion.com.

Father’s Day Weekend at Hickory Hill Vineyards: Celebrate Dad by stopping by Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery where he can sample our award-winning wines. All Dads receive a Hickory Hill wine glass. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it. Yard games for kids of all ages. Also June 18. Free. 540.296.1393, hickoryhillvineyards.com

19
Franklin County Fun Festival: String music, flatfoot contest, children’s games, and more. at the Farmers Market, Franklin Street, Rocky Mount. Through May 20. 540.483.1890, franklincountyvirginiahistoricalsoc.org

4th Anniversary Celebration: at Hickory Hill Vineyards. Join the party that is for the wine lovers that have given Hickory Hills four wonderful years. Live music, crafts, activities for kids, dog demonstrations and more. 1-6 p.m. $7 for taters, includes glass. $3 for non-tasters. Kids free. 540.296.1393, hickoryhillvineyards.com

21
Growing Up in World War II Day Camp: Kids take a trip back in time with this three-day summer day camp where they learn what life was like on the homefront and as a soldier during World War II. 8:45 a.m.-noon through June 23 at the National D-Day Memorial, Bedford. Camp fees apply. 540.586.3329, dday.org

22
Bluegrass at Sedalia: Family style festival for pickers, fiddlers and bluegrass fans. Through June 24 at the Sedalia Center, Big Island. 434.299.5080, sedaliacenter.org

23
Celebrate the Lake Dinner-Dance: It’s SML’s 40th Anniversary and the Smith Mountain Lake Association is kicking off a great weekend of events with the Celebrate the Lake Dinner Dance, 6 p.m. at the W.E.Skelton 4-H Conference Center. Enjoy dancing to the music of the Charlie Perkinson Trio, dinner, raffles, great door prize, cash bar and lake history. Gather your friends to fill a table for 8 and tickets are only $30 per person. Individual tickets are $32.50 each. 540.719.0690

24
Celebrate the Lake: Boat parade and water fair sponsored by the Smith Mountain Lake Association. 540.719.0690, smlassociation.org

Cimmaron: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. Also June 24. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

25
Water Fair: Sponsored by the Smith Mountain Lake Association. Noon-5 p.m. Food, music, children’s crafts at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center.

28
Fishing Workshop: Trolling for Stripers. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Westlake Diary Queen. $20 in advance. Register at the Virginia Outdoorsman or call 540.721.4867

30
The Kings: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

JULY
1
Booker T. Washington and the First Days: 125th Anniversary of the establishment of Tuskegee Institute at Booker T. Washington Monument. Free. 540.721.2094, nps.gov/bowa

Red, White and You at Peaks of Otter: Visit the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford and stop by the our winery for some of our apple-pepper wine. Noon to 5 p.m.  Through July 4. Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford. Free. 540.586.3707, peaksofotterwinery.com

Sweet Freedom’s Song: Celebrate Independence Day early with a patriotic concert under the Stars with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra at the National D-Day Memorial. 7 p.m. The symphony’s arrangement includes patriotic pieces, music from the movie Saving Private Ryan, and the documentary Victory at Sea, along with other moving selections for the audience to enjoy. Bring a chair and experience the sights, sounds, and energy of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. 540.586.3329, dday.org

2
Independence Day Celebration: Celebrate the fourth two days early at Virginia’s Explore Park. Noon-5 p.m. Stories, activities and music throughout the Park. Dine at the Historic Brugh Tavern, open Wednesday through Sunday. Regular admission rates apply. 540.427.1800, explorepark.org

4
Independence Celebration: A full day of fun at Parkway Marina, 3 miles from the SML Sate Park. Fireworks at dark by boat or on the shoreline.

Bedford’s Libertyfest: Live music, fireworks and more. 7-11 p.m. at the Farmers Market, Centertown Bedford. 540.586.2148, CentertownBedford.com

Independence Day at D-Day: Celebrate Independence Day with a visit to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tours will be offered throughout the day. 540.586.3329, dday.org

Independence Day Celebration at Poplar Forest: Remember the real reason to celebrate this day! 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Hear the Declaration of Independence (3 p.m.). Revisit Jefferson’s time with living history demonstrations, musical performances, hearth cooking presentations, period games, and hands-on activities on the grounds. Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Lynchburg. Regular admission fees apply. 434.525.1806, poplarforest.org

The Kings: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill, Bridgewater Plaza. Also July 5. 7:30-11:30 p.m. 540.721.1632, mangosbarandgrill.com

8
Horse & Hound Wine Festival: at the Peaks of Otter Winery. Several of Virginia’s finest wineries, good music, arts, crafts and food vendors. Events include agility dogs, Jack Russell Terriers, and a parade of horses. $15 tasters, $5 non-tasters. 540.586.3707, bedfordwine.com

BluesFest 2006: Annual Blues Festival at the Sedalia Center, Big Island. 4-11 p.m. 434.299.5080, sedaliacenter.org