Arts & Entertainment

Wednesday, July 12

Fireworks lit up the night sky over Glen Maury Park last Tuesday night as the local Fourth of July events came to an end. The fireworks followed a concert at the park that evening by the Party Crashers Band. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins)

Jimmy Southers’ patriotic 1953 tow truck helped lead the way for the 38th annual Children’s Bike Parade in downtown Lexington on the Fourth of July. Once again, hundreds of children, family members – and dogs – headed down Main Street on their way to the W&L corral parking lot for free hot dogs and drinks. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)

The following local students received a degree from Washington and Lee University on May 25. Commencement ceremonies for 453 Washington and Lee seniors were held on the university’s historic front lawn.

Not just one, but two storms, preceded the third Freedom Food Festival in downtown Lexington on July 3. Those setting up for the event, including volunteers at the Natural Bridge State Park/CHEFS Catering booth (above) gathered under the tents, and tried to keep the water from bringing the tents down. After the second storm, though, the skies cleared, tables were cleaned off and thousands descended upon Main Street for the event. Among those serving up food were volunteers in the Southern Inn/Connections Plus Healthcare + Hospice food booth (below left). The first of three musical acts to take the stage that day was Matt Koziol (at right). (Mary Woodson photos)

Volunteers and sponsors are needed for the area’s inaugural Conquer Chiari Walk Across America event Sept. 23 at the Rockbridge County High School track.

Lexington Presbyterian Church

Rising Zion Baptist Church will celebrate its homecoming and 150th church anniversary on Sunday, July 16, at 3 p.m.

Alia Clements of Buena Vista graduated with a bachelor of science degree in professional studies from Bob Jones University May 5. -Catarina Casey of Lexington graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in psychology from the College of Charleston. -The following Lexington residents graduated from the College of William & Mary: Sarah Carrington, bachelor of arts; Katherine Hentz, bachelor of arts; Alexander Levengood, bachelor of arts; Caroline McCain, bachelor of science. The following area residents graduated from James Madison University in May.

The Pick-Up Band makes its debut on the Boxerwood stage this Friday evening, July 14, from 6:30 to 8 as part of the nature center’s Music in the Garden summer concert series. The five-piece group plays rock and country music. Band members include Phil Holstein on lead and rhythm guitar; Rocky Smith on bass guitar; John Good on percussion; Kenton Kody on guitars, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin; and Gloria Lewayne performing lead vocals. Admission is free for Boxerwood members, $5 per person for nonmembers. Children (under age 18) and parking are free. Pass-the-hat proceeds go to the musicians. The gate opens at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Meals can also be purchased from a food truck parked in the field.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Seminar

A group of former “kids” who rode the bus to the old Highland Belle School gathered at Kerrs Creek Baptist Church on May 22 to share memories and good food. The reunion was organized by Dean Knick and Terrall Teaford.

Brian Crockett Receives Award From Athletic Directors Association

Multiple Events Cap Off Holiday Weekend

Karyn Gardner, (540) 228-2176, (540) 655-3646 [email protected]

Carolyn Bradley, 540-258-2720

Rachel Clark, (630) 607-9938 [email protected]

Mountain Gateway Community College’s David Shofstahl (right) was honored recently as a recipient of the 2023 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award. Making the presentation during an awards ceremony held in Austin, Texas, was Dr. Edward J. Leach, executive director of NISOD. Shofstahl serves as a workforce coach and apprenticeship coordinator in the Workforce Solutions and Community Education Division at Mountain Gateway Community College.

After the Balloons Over Rockbridge festival kicked off the Fourth of July activities in the area last Saturday and Sunday, the fun continued on Monday, July 3, with the Freedom Food Festival in Lexington, and the Children’s Bike Parade in Lexington in the morning and the music and fireworks at Glen Maury Park in the evening on July 4. The Party Crashers (in photos at top of page) entertained the crowd at Glen Maury Park, while the East Nash Grass (in background at right) was one of three acts to perform on the Main Street stage during the Freedom Food Festival. Brett Ross with Devils Backbone (below) was among the volunteers hard at work during the festival. The Children’s Bike Parade was led by Uncle Sam (second row from bottom, right), while an ensemble performed for the parade outside Trinity United Methodist Church (at bottom right). Face painting (bottom left) awaited the parade participants at W&L’s corral parking lot at the conclusion of the parade. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins and Mary Woodson photos)

The Balloons Over Rockbridge festival brought out a large crowd to the Virginia Horse Center Saturday and Sunday to not only see the hot-air balloons but to enjoy music and games and check out the various vendors. ABOVE, festival-goers were able to get photos “in a balloon” without actually getting into a balloon basket. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)

Honoring Summers