June in Lexington

June is often recognized nationally and in the Commonwealth of Virginia as Great Outdoors Month. It's also a great time to visit Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. The weather is nice, the foliage is lush and vibrant, and our trails are enticing. Explore our small towns and big backyard this month.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Pretend you're a kid again: Go outside and don't come back until the street lights come on. Run, frolic, and play hard with your best buds! Your best memories are not yet memories. They're yet to come.

Our Top Spots:

The inaugural Rockbridge Outdoors Fest is June 13 and will be held at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista. Get your hands dirty when you try a new skill or watch demonstrations to see how the pros do it. The fun ranges from kayaking and archery to camp cooking and hunter safety. Want to chill out? Yoga. More than 35 vendors will be on hand and there will be live music. Join in the fun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At Natural Bridge State Park this month:

June 11, 18, 25: Lantern Tour of the Natural Bridge
June 13: Hidden Stories of the Natural Bridge
June 13: Dark Sky - New Moon
June 27: Illumination of the Bridge

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The first Friday's Alive of the summer kicks off June 12 at Davidson Park in downtown Lexington with The Pickup Band. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the music. Pets, outside food, and drinks are prohibited. Also see Little Marvin & The Martians on June 19.

Lime Kiln Theater welcomes The SteelDrivers with Tanasi June 26 & 27. The gate opens at 6:00 p.m.

Three days of incredible bluegrass and impressive musicianship is on display June 19-20 at Glen Maury Park. It's the Annual Maury River Fiddlers' Convention, and no true fan of old time and bluegrass will want to miss it. Camping is available.

Boxerwood Gardens & Nature Center's Music in the Garden features Honest Labor on June 12 and Betty & The Hot Flashes on June 26. This concert series is family-friendly. Bring a quilt, picnic, and enjoy the music and sunset. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m.

For more live music, head to Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista June 12 for Friday's in the Park featuring Feature Attraction Band. Bring a chair and your dancing shoes!

Coming Up ...

Independence Day is right around the corner! Here's a teaser to help you get started with your planning.

Freedom Food Festival, held in downtown Lexington on July 3, kicks off a full weekend of fun. Choose a great meal to support a local non-profit, enjoy free concerts by The Late Night Stumblers, Mason Via, and Cordovas, and enjoy a variety of activities. Kids are welcome!

On July 4, the fun rolls down Main Street in Lexington on two wheels ... and maybe two more training wheels. It's the annual Children's Bike Parade! Arrive near Oak Grove Cemetery at 9 a.m. to begin decorating your child's bike (decor is free!). The parade rolls off at 10 a.m. and is limited to children 12 and younger on a bicycle, please. Leashed pets are welcome. Hot dogs and watermelon are provided after the parade at the W&L parking lot on Jefferson Street.

Dive into the Olympic-size pool at Glen Maury Park to cool off before enjoying live music by The Party Crasher Band at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks will shoot off when the stars start twinkling. Holy Cow! ice cream will also help you beat the heat and is located near the park entrance.

Stretching two days and a vast sky is the Balloons Over Rockbridge Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival. From Oak Hill (across from Virginia Horse Center), morning and evening flights depart, and the nighttime Ed McDaniel Memorial Balloon Glow lights up the night. Both piloted and tethered balloon rides are available.