Monday, November 16, 2009
Fall into the fun that remains in autumn
Related
For more information about the different attractions, check out:
Only 15 miles east of Roanoke is Bedford County's Layman Family Farms. One of the farm's biggest fall attractions is a huge corn maze that is different every year. The maze shape for this year is Abe Lincoln's penny picture.
With a $9 admission package, youth, ages 10-17, can participate in the corn maze, a hayride through the pumpkin patches and the corn cannon, which is a pressurized air cannon that shoots corn cobs out into a field.
While in Bedford County, you can stop by Johnson's Orchards. Although apple-picking season is drawing to a close, the family-owned orchard still has plenty of apples for sale, as well as many animals, from llamas to chicken, on the working farm.
School tours are also offered, and individual visitors are welcomed at the orchards.
"We want people to learn from a young age to handle all fruits with respect," said Danny Johnson, owner of the orchards.
From Bedford, hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway down to Floyd County. This relaxing drive is an excellent time to enjoy the vibrant fall foliage in the mountains.
While in Floyd, music fans can enjoy the Floyd Country Store's Friday Night Jamborees, featuring traditional bluegrass and mountain music in an old-fashioned, yet lively environment. One of the upcoming events is the
"Old Time Dance" on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Late autumn is, clichés aside, a time of giving. The Rescue Mission, a shelter located in downtown Roanoke, has an event that blends the spirit of the season with Thanksgiving fun.
The “Drumstick Dash” fundraiser on Nov. 26 attracts nearly 5,000 participants walking or running the dash before their Thanksgiving meal.
With less than a month left to enjoy pumpkins and fall foliage, anyone searching for a last dose of autumn fun will not have a hard time finding local activities. Just don't get lost in Lincoln's face.
