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At only 6.9 miles, Bedford is one of the smallest cities in Virginia. But despite its  diminutive size, the city is bursting with history and entertainment. Here’s a look at some of the free activities Bedford provides.

Holiday lights

The Elks National Home is a 200-acre year-round retirement community . But during the holiday season, it is also home to a festival of lights. More than 50,000 lights, many depicting holiday scenes, are used to illuminate the home and grounds. If you’re looking for something to increase the holiday cheer, take a leisurely drive through and enjoy the lights.

The Elks National Home is located off U.S. 221 at 931 Ashland Ave.; turn onto Virginia 43, turn left onto College Street, bear right to turn onto Ashland Avenue. (540) 586-2096. www.elkshome.org

Living Liberty

For those looking for a way to celebrate their Southern heritage, Bedford provides Living Liberty, Life of Bedford During the 1860s. The event is held every April in recognition of Confederate History and Heritage Month. The event honors more than 400 Bedford County men who died during the Civil War, as well as more than 1,000 who were wounded.

The three-day event includes infantry, artillery and medical demonstrations at Randolph Macon-Liberty Academy, as well as a recreation of the Battle of Liberty at the Elks Home. The event culminates with the Hunter’s Raid Retreat Battle in Centertown Bedford. A period dance, campfire ghost tales and ghost walk also are available at $5 each.

Living Liberty is hosted annually April 27-29 by Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of Confederacy. (540) 586-6134. www.livingliberty.org

History

For an intimate look at Bedford-area history via architecture, visitors can take the historic Bedford walking tour. The self-guided tour finds visitors walking the streets of Centertown Bedford where the architecture of yesteryear still stands. Buildings of note include the Court Street Methodist Church, circa 1878; the site of the first courthouse, circa 1782; and the 1834 Cottage, believed to be the oldest building included in the walking tour.

For a walking-tour map and a full Bedford-area history, visit the Bedford City/County Museum. The museum includes rooms commemorating American Indians, Black history, the Civil War, World War I, World War II and D-Day. The building itself has its own history; it was built in 1895 as a Masonic lodge. A genealogy library is also available for those researching their ancestory.

The Bedford City/County Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $2 donation is suggested, but not required. It is located off U.S. 460 at 201 E Main St. (540) 586-4520. www.bedfordmuseum.org

Nature

Nature lovers will find joy in Poplar Park and Wharton Gardens. Poplar Park is home to the largest known yellow poplar tree in the world. The park includes a picnic area where guests can dine while communing with nature. Wharton Gardens includes shrubs, annual beds and a mature boxwood maze. Take a moment to relax in the gazebo and revel in nature.

Poplar Park is located off U.S. 460 on Grand Arbre Drive; take Virginia 43 South, turn left onto Smith Street; turn left onto Grand Arbre Drive. (540) 586-6061 or (540) 586-9401. Wharton Gardens is located off U.S. 221 next to the Bedford Central Library on North Bridge Street.

Outdoor movies

If you’re just looking to relax, head over to Bedford Elementary School soccer field for a family film under the stars. “Hollywood Hills,” a new monthly event, will feature a film at dusk every third Saturday this summer. Bring chairs or blankets for comfortable viewing of these recent hits: “Over the Hedge,” Aug. 18; “Akeelah and the Bee,” Sept. 15.

Movies begin at dusk. Rain location is inside the Bedford Elementary School Gym at 7:30 p.m. It is located off Virginia 122 at 806 Tiger Trail Road in Bedford. Concessions will be available. (540) 587-5681.

Fast facts

Population: 6,299 (2000 Census)

Area (in square miles): 7

History: Bedford is an independent city and not a part of Bedford County, despite being the county seat. In 1782, the town of Liberty (now the city of Bedford) was established. The town of Liberty was changed to the town of Bedford in 1870 and to the present-day city of Bedford in 1912.

BASICS

Utilities

Bedford City Utilities Connection: 587-6047

Natural gas

Highland Propane Co.: 777-7928

Amerigas: (800) 535-3804

Telephone

Verizon: 954-6222 or (800) 826-2355

Cable

Charter Communications: (866) 472-2200

GOVERNMENT

Local officials 

City Council: 587-6001

Mayor: W. D. “Skip” Tharp

Vice Mayor: Robert Wandrei

Mary Flood

Thomas Padgett

C. G. Stanley

Jeffrey Hubbard

Jim Vest

City Manager: Charles Kolakowski: 587-6001

Police Chief: James Day: 587-6019

Treasurer: Debbie Roberts: 587-6057

Commissioner of Revenue: Valerie Wilson: 587-6051

City Attorney: William W. Berry IV: 586-8133

Government services 

Building Inspection and Permits: 587-6021

Chamber of Commerce: 586-9401

Circuit Court Clerk: 586-7632

Economic Development: 587-6021

Electric Department: 587-6071

Engineering: 587-6031

Health Department: 586-7952

Maintenance and Repair (water, sewer, streets): 587-6081

Parks and Recreation: 587-6061

Planning and Community Development: 587-6021

Registrar: 587-6007

Sanitation: 587-6081

Schools: 586-1045

Wastewater Treatment Plant: 587-6102

Water Treatment Plant: 586-7197

Zoning: 587-6021

SERVICES

Recycling

Bedford has a mandatory curbside recycling program for all single-family residences. Accepts newspapers; clear, green and brown glass; aluminum and bi-metal cans; plastics (PETE #1 and HDPE #2). 587-6081.

Bedford Recycling Center: City Landfill. Open daily. Accepts newspapers, mixed paper, glass (separated by color), aluminum and bi-metal cans and plastics (PETE #1 and HDPE #2).

EDUCATION

Public schools

High school

Liberty High School: 100 Liberty Minutemen Drive, Bedford, 586-2541. Principal: Dr. Cherie Whitehurst.

Middle school

Bedford Middle School: 503 Longwood Ave., Bedford, 586-7735. Principal: Rhetta Watkins.

Elementary schools

Bedford Elementary School: 806 Tiger Trail Road, Bedford, 586-0275. Principal: Sue Saunders.

Bedford Primary School: 807 College St., Bedford, 586-8339. Principal: Georgia Hairston.

Other

Bedford Science and Technology Center: 600 Edmund St., Bedford, 586-3933. Principal: Fred Conner.

Bridge School: 311 S. Bridge St., Bedford, 586-1045. Principal: Gary Lowry.

School officials

Superintendent: James G. Blevins: 586-1045

School Board: 586-1045

Chairman: Paul Sherman 

Debra Bond

Betsy Klein

Phyllis Parker

William Ross

Steve Rush

Mickey VanDerwerker

School calendar

AUG. 27: First day of school

SEP. 3: Schools closed, holiday

OCT. 29: End first nine weeks; two-hour early dismissal

NOV. 5: Report cards issued

NOV. 6: Schools closed

NOV. 9: Schools closed

NOV. 21-23: Schools closed, holiday

DEC. 20-JAN. 1: Schools closed, winter break

JAN. 2: Schools reopen

JAN. 18: Report cards issued, two-hour early dismissal

JAN. 21: Schools closed, holiday 

JAN. 28: Report cards issued

FEB. 1: Schools closed

MARCH 6: Schools closed

MARCH 24-28: Schools closed, spring break

APRIL 2: End third nine weeks; two-hour early dismissal

APRIL 9: Report cards issued

APRIL 18: Schools closed

MAY 26: Schools closed, holiday

JUNE 4-6: Two-hour early dismissal

JUNE 6: Last day of school; two-hour early dismissal

JUNE 7: Graduation  

Libraries

Public libraries

Bedford Central Library: 321 N. Bridge St., Bedford. 586-8911. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Will close on Sundays Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

RECREATION

Parks and recreation

The following are some of the activities offered through Bedford Parks and Recreation. For more information, call 587-6061.

Youth: Learning-enrichment programs, summer play center, before- and after-school programs, sports, art classes, open gym, self-defense clinics and cheerleading clinics.

Adults: Potluck dinners, lunch trips, tennis classes, art classes, square dancing, sports, bingo and various trips.

Recreation league sports

The following is a list of league sports offered by the Bedford Department of Parks and Recreation. 587-6061.

Softball, T-ball and baseball: T-ball (boys and girls, ages 5-6), baseball (ages boys, 7-18), and softball (ages girls, 7-18).

Football and cheerleading: Youth football and cheerleading (ages 7-12).

Basketball: Youth basketball (boys and girls, ages 5-18).

Health clubs

Following is a partial list of health clubs in Bedford:

Blue Ridge Fitness Center: 410 Crenshaw St., Bedford, 587-5581.

Curves for Women: 514 F Blue Ridge Ave., Bedford, 587-7540.

Tennis courts

Following is a list of some of the tennis courts in Bedford. In this list, the first figure indicates the number of courts at a site; the second is the number of lighted courts.

Liberty Lake Park: 3-3

Edmund Street Park: 1-0