Visit Smyth County

Visit Smyth County Come see the mountain peaks, charming small towns, and nationally famous trails of Smyth County, VA!

Inside our state-certified visitor's center, discover local history from woolly mammoths to men on the moon and NASCAR to Mountain Dew. Get maps, directions, travel brochures, and information on attractions, lodging, restaurants, itinerary ideas, and more.

The Appalachian Spirit Gallery has a great night planned for their September 11, 2026 Second Friday ArtWalk! In the Gall...
09/04/2026

The Appalachian Spirit Gallery has a great night planned for their September 11, 2026 Second Friday ArtWalk!

In the Gallery's ongoing efforts to showcase the talent of musicians living within a 30 mile radius of Marion, the Gallery is thrilled to feature an exciting music concert!

Performing at the Gallery for the third year in a row, Albert Blackburn and Dave Vaught —formerly part of The VW Boys—will share their love of music and storytelling with our community. Albert’s remarkable vocal range and talent on the guitar and upright bass complement Dave’s background as a seasoned touring lead guitarist and master illusionist. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by the Bank of Marion

The featured artists for the September Artwalk event are Eric and Siera Wojciechowicz.

Art has been at the center of life for Eric and Siera Wojciechowicz for as long as either can remember. What started as childhood curiosity—Eric sketching lowriders and custom holiday characters, and Siera constantly drawing and painting—has evolved into a shared, lifelong passion.

Eric’s artistic path was shaped by strong mentors and a deep dive into portraiture. Capturing individual expressions became his signature style, turning custom art into personal gifts for friends and family. Siera expanded her craft at Emory & Henry College through Art Education, falling in love with ceramics and oil painting—a passion cemented during a transformative journey studying classic artwork across Italy.

Today, art is a complete family affair. Re-energized by each other’s creative drive, Eric and Siera now make art side-by-side while raising three boys who are already following in their footsteps. From detailed portraiture and tactile ceramics to Italian-inspired oils and mixed media, their home is a constantly evolving studio where creativity is passed down from one generation to the next.

New work on display by Appalachian Spirit Gallery members include paintings, executed in oils, watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media. Other work includes photography, jewelry, pottery, turned wood items, quilts, felted scarves and vessels, botanical printing, weaving, stained glass, papermaking and handmade books.

The gallery is run by the Appalachian Spirit Artists Association, a 501(c)3 organization composed of artisans who share jobs to fulfill the group’s mission to celebrate the arts, traditions, lore and spirit of the Appalachian Mountains by demonstrating the work of local talent.

Make plans to stop by on September 11, 2026 to view the wonderful art, grab some refreshments, listen to beautiful music, sing along with friends, and do some shopping.

The monthly Second Friday ArtWalks are always free and open to the public.

"I do not believe the fastest route is always the best one, especially on a weekend morning headed to a farmers market. ...
09/01/2026

"I do not believe the fastest route is always the best one, especially on a weekend morning headed to a farmers market. I would rather slow down, enjoy the drive, and take in the town along the way." Thank you Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine for a great profile of The Town of Marion, Virginia!

Visit the Marion Farmers Market, where local food, handmade crafts, and farm stories reflect the history and personality of this Southwest Virginia town.

You won't want to miss Vintage in the Valley Antiques and Arts Festival, on Saturday, September 26th from 10:00am to 4:0...
08/26/2026

You won't want to miss Vintage in the Valley Antiques and Arts Festival, on Saturday, September 26th from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Antique vendors will have their treasures for browsing and shopping along the Historic Main Street in Chilhowie, Virginia during the 72nd Chilhowie Apple Festival. Throughout the day there will be entertainment, artist demonstrations, and antiques and vintage items shopping.

Admission to Vintage in the Valley is free!

https://smythchamber.org/chamber-events/vintage-in-the-valley/

What a great article on The Museum of the Middle Appalachians! One of Southwest Virginia’s neatest destinations. Check i...
08/24/2026

What a great article on The Museum of the Middle Appalachians!

One of Southwest Virginia’s neatest destinations. Check it out in The Town of Saltville, Virginia

Visit Southwest Virginia's niche museums to experience a blend of history, art, and entertainment through unique exhibits.

Autumn is just around the corner, and Chilhowie is gearing up for one of Southwest Virginia’s most cherished traditions....
08/21/2026

Autumn is just around the corner, and Chilhowie is gearing up for one of Southwest Virginia’s most cherished traditions. The 2026 Chilhowie Community Apple Festival (CCAF) will run from September 19 through September 27, 2026.

Organizers have announced an exciting lineup of new events, national celebrations, parade leaders, and important community notices for this year’s festivities. Voted the Best of Smyth County 2026! 🏅🏅🏅

Here is everything you need to know heading into festival season:

Meet the 2026 Grand Parade Marshals: Leading this year's Grand Parade are the 2025 Chilhowie High School VHSL 4x100 meter Relay State Champions! Raegan Jones (Track & Field state champion in 2025 and 2026), Dalton Hester, Mady Heath, and Abby Bogle.

"Wheels, Wagons, Salute!" USA 250 Parade Kickoff: Children and families are encouraged to patriotically decorate bikes, strollers, wagons, and other non-motorized wheels for WHEELS, WAGONS, SALUTE!

Indoor Exhibits Expand with USA 250 Themes: Indoor Exhibits will be hosted in the Old High School beginning Friday, September 25, with entry registration taking place on Thursday, September 24, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Inspired by community creativity, two new exhibit divisions have been added this year: LEGO & Model Building and Upcycled & Repurposed Arts.

Miss Apple Festival Pageant Vendor Market: The 2026 Miss Apple Festival Pageant takes place at Chilhowie High School on Saturday, September 19, starting at 12:00 PM. New this year: Spectators and families can shop the vendor market while enjoying the pageant events.

Upgraded Storytime Train Rides: The popular Storytime Train has received a fresh facelift! Festival-goers can hop aboard for a scenic ride around the streets of Chilhowie while exploring the surrounding craft and vendor booths. Rides are $1 per person, with the loading area located right in front of the Old High School.

Traffic & One-Way Street Designations: To alleviate traffic congestion during peak festival hours, Chestnut Avenue and Aker Avenue will operate as one-way streets. Traffic will flow on Aker Avenue from the Baptist Church toward Old Stage Road. Traffic on Chestnut Avenue will flow from Old Stage Road back toward the Baptist Church.

Extend your visit to Chilhowie with a stop at Vintage in the Valley Antiques and Arts, Saturday September 26th!

Apple Festival website: https://www.chilhowieapplefestival.com/
Vintage in the Valley: https://smythchamber.org/chamber-events/vintage-in-the-valley/
Town of Chilhowie: https://chilhowie.org/

2026 Festival Catalog Availability: The official 2026 Apple Festival catalog is currently in print and will be available at local businesses beginning the week of August 31, 2026.

Take the Five Over 5000 hiking challenge for some of the best scenery in Southwest Virginia.  Chamber of Commerce of Smy...
08/19/2026

Take the Five Over 5000 hiking challenge for some of the best scenery in Southwest Virginia.

Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc.
Virginia is for Lovers
Southwest Virginia

08/10/2026

Words could never do it justice💙

📍Hungry Mother State Park

Curtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation with thanks to Visit Smyth County

Ladies, this one's for you!  Want to try an outdoor adventure for the first time, or learn a new skill?  Hungry Mother S...
08/10/2026

Ladies, this one's for you! Want to try an outdoor adventure for the first time, or learn a new skill? Hungry Mother State Park is hosting Find Your Wild: Women's Weekend. A retreat designed to help you reconnect with nature, yourself and a community of like-minded women.

Registration closes August 16th!

Virginia State Parks Let's Go Adventures
Friends of Hungry Mother State Park
Riverfeet Fly Fishing

One of country music’s most emblematic ballad singers, Gene Watson, brings his national tour to Marion, Virginia Friday ...
07/25/2026

One of country music’s most emblematic ballad singers, Gene Watson, brings his national tour to Marion, Virginia Friday July 31st at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia.

This special performance will feature the tunes that landed him 23 Top Tens and 11 #1 country and gospel hits.

Over his sixty-year career, audiences across the nation have been in awe of his iconic octave-jumping range and smooth tone. He has received immeasurable praise and numerous accolades for his 33 studio albums and 61 singles. Even with a growing inventory of achievements, Watson has stayed true to his roots and kept his contagious spirit of humility, which continues to shine through every interaction.

It’s no surprise that such artists as Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Rhonda Vincent, Trace Adkins, Connie Smith, Joe Nichols, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, and many others are not only happy but eager to record with Gene. It’s a stunning truth that at nearly 82 years of age, Gene still sings with his clear, pure tone intact, an unmatched soulful delivery, and in the same key as 30 years ago; and that is good news for fans of real country music rooted in the timeless values of one of America’s bedrock musical genres.

For more information about The Lincoln Theatre and event tickets, please visit www.thelincoln.org or call (276)783-6092.

Address

121 Bagley Circle, Suite 105
Chilhowie, VA
24354

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12766463306

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