Secretariat Birthday Celebration at the Meadow—Doswell
May 3-5, 2019
New River 500—Giles
April 7-9, 2017
Fairy Forest Festival—Lexington
April 29, 2017 The Fairy Forest Festival is an Earth Day event recognizing the official season opening of the Fairy Forest at Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden. Children can make their own fairies or gnomes at the festival’s “fairy stations”, then craft furniture and houses for their new playmates. The festival encourages children to use their imaginations and get creative, as well as teaching them the importance of gardening as they plant “magic beans” and learn the basics of tending plants in a garden.H.O.G Rally—Roanoke
June 7-10, 2017
Annual Back of the Dragon Event—Tazewell
June 9-11, 2017
Dragon Boat Festival—Richmond
July 29, 2017 Experience a Viking-style boat competition on the James in downtown Richmond during the Dragon Boat Festival. Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams of 20 synchronized paddlers compete in a 500-meter upriver race in 40-foot canoes decorated to look like dragons. The boat races kick off the event, but afterwards, both spectators and participants gather to watch a series of beautiful cultural performances at Rocketts Landing.Chincoteague Pony Swim & Auction—Chincoteague Island
July 24-29, 2017
Smith Mountain Lake Cardboard Regatta—Wirtz
July 29-30, 2017 Celebrate the lake’s 50th anniversary this year at the Smith Mountain Lake Cardboard Regatta, a whimsical competition where participants craft boats entirely from cardboard, then race them across the water to see which creations will survive the wet journey. In addition to checking out the boats’ creativity, style, and ability to actually cross the lake, you’ll get to experience live performances and savor food from local vendors at this annual summer festival. If you’re traveling to Northern Virginia this summer, consider visiting the lake’s sister event, happening in Springfield on June 3 and 4, 2017.Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival—Bealeton
August 19-20, 2017