Features

On July 11, Grayson Highlands celebrated the 50th anniversary of being open to the public since its establishment in 1965.

There were more than 1,300 visitors in attendance, many of whom were locals, but some came from as far away as Germany, according to a Virginia State Parks news release.

HILLSVILLE — Cosplay, Magic card tournaments, action figures, stormtroopers… all of these features may seem reminiscent of the almighty San Diego Comic-Con, a four-day event in California that fans of video games, comic books, fantasy characters and the like flock to by the thousands each year.

This event, and others like it across the country provide a safe haven for die-hard fans.

FRIES — A piece of local history was passed down to students at Fries School last month, when a local songwriter designed her own take on a locally-spun tale about a girl named Caty Sage.

According to the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum’s online exhibit, “The Ballad of Caty Sage” was originally a poem written in the 1930s by Eva Boyer of Carroll County, and was later set to music by J.C. Pierce of Galax. Pierce performed it at the 1940 Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention, and later recorded it on small commercial labels.

This year’s 11th Annual Smoke on the Mountain Virginia State Barbecue Championship looks to be another landmark competition.

This year’s contest is July 17-18 in downtown Galax. Teams from all over the country come to Galax to compete. For spectators, there’s live music and food vendors with barbecue (of course) and much more.

According to Twin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Brannock, this year’s competition has drawn upwards of 40 teams, the highest number of competitors since Smoke on the Mountain’s beginning.

This year’s Galax Fire Department Carnival is underway through Saturday in Felts Park.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the carnival and bingo will start at 6 p.m.

Bingo will be held every night from 6 p.m. until closing, with a 50 percent payout each game. There will be a $1,000 championship game on June 27 for qualifying players.

There will also be a $300 nightly cash drawing at 11 p.m. with one entry per paid adult gate ticket.

Fireworks will be held on June 27 at 11 p.m.

This year’s Galax Fire Department Carnival will be held from June 22-27 in Felts Park.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the carnival and bingo will start at 6 p.m.

Bingo will be held every night from 6 p.m. until closing, with a 50 percent payout each game. There will be a $1,000 championship game on June 27 for qualifying players.

There will also be a $300 nightly cash drawing at 11 p.m. with one entry per paid adult gate ticket.

Fireworks will be held on June 27 at 11 p.m.

INDEPENDENCE — Christmas came about six months early for the children at Carilion Roanoke Memorial’s pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) this year.

A previous patient at the facility, Daniel Jones, 9, of Independence, wasn’t very excited about going back for his check-up on May 31. So, to make the trip more positive, he and his family decided to bring something along with them: a mini-van stuffed full of toys for the other patients.

HILLSVILLE — Guests who attended last year’s Fourth of July celebration in Hillsville might have spotted a familiar figure at the Grover King VFW Post during the festivities. Clad in familiar colonial attire, “Patrick Henry” took the stage last year to deliver his historic message to the community.

HILLSVILLE — The Hale-Wilkinson-Carter Foundation will commemorate the 120th anniversary of George Lafayette Carter and Mayetta Wilkinson Carter’s marriage with a wedding reception, dinner and program on May 30 at the Carter Home in Hillsville.

Carter was born Jan. 10, 1857, in Carroll County, one of the nine children of Walter Crockett Carter and Lucy Ann Jennings. Of his siblings, he and three of his sisters were the only children to survive past the age of 20.